After a long-awaited seven years, Cigarettes After Sex made their epic return to Manila, reuniting with their growing Filipino fanbase for their X’s tour held on January 14 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The dream-pop band delivered enchanting performances of both fan favorites and new tracks. Frontman Greg Gonzalez set the tone for the evening with his ethereal vocals, paired with the band’s signature blend of shoegaze, slowcore, and indie rock.
Cigarettes After Sex opened their sold-out Manila show with X’s, followed by fresh tracks You’re All I Want and Dark Vacay. The atmosphere became more electric as they performed Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby.
It was a sight to see the Filipino crowd swaying and singing along to every song, lost in the band’s dreamy melodies. Cigarettes After Sex’s Manila setlist spanned their discography, including the classic hits Sesame Syrup, K., Sunsetz, Sweet, John Wayne, and Apocalypse.
Beyond the music, the concert was a visual spectacle. The stage was adorned with a minimalist backdrop, subtle lighting, and mesmerizing black-and-white visuals, perfectly complementing their emotional tone and creating a laid-back atmosphere.
The memorable night concluded with a heart-stirring performance of Opera House. Before leaving the stage, the band even spent time showing love and gratitude to their Filipino fans by giving away guitar picks and copies of their setlist.
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The Cigarettes After Sex’s return to Manila was truly worth it—filled with nostalgia and emotions. We hope to see them perform in the country again soon!
All thanks to KARPOS for making this show a success!
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