IN PHOTOS: Michael Learns to Rock in romantic Manila show

MANILA, Philippines – Most music fans would classify Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR) as a soft-rock band, an oxymoron in itself – but for the crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum on September 19, there was no confusion.

Over the years, this group has sustained a dedicated fan base, combining familiar riffs, thoughtful lyrics and a mesmerizing edge, rock n’ roll love songs. They’ve been around for awhile; in 2013, they celebrated a milestone, 25 years since MLTR played their first-ever gig in Aarhus in Denmark, the hometown of the band. This was reflected in the audience, not too many folks attending that were under 30, and like the trek to Noah’s Ark, almost everyone traveled in pairs.  

The core members of the group are lead vocalist and keyboard player Jascha Richter, drummer Kåre Wanscher, and guitarist Mikkel Lentz. I was only aware of a couple of their songs before I started my research, “The Actor”, perhaps their most well know track. And if you live in Asia, you know it’s a staple at every karaoke bar in town. It’s a good example of their sound; think of a retired boy band, mixed with Keane while incorporating a ballad style of Journey. Well written music, soft and pleasing, perfect stuff to to listen to while cuddling by the fireplace.

“Do you like love songs? We do! …Are you a romantic, I am!” announced Jascha to the crowd.   

These guys make music that comes naturally to them, it’s not about the hoopla and they don’t pander to the trends of the day and this is perhaps what I admire most about them. Opposite of what you see in many of todays contemporary artists, who often display surreal behavior, boasting of scandals, nudity, drugs, and all kinds of ridiculousness. It’s about the music. Refreshing to see.   

In terms of the photography, you’re generally not bubbling with joy when it comes to covering a lead vocalist on keyboards, especially one who performs, melodic love songs so I admit I was psychologically preparing myself to be bored out of my mind. But I’m happy to report I was pleasantly surprised!

 

Even if the music is a bit mellow, they kept the crowd interested with a solid lighting arrangement and well composed videos, placed in perfect correspondence with the music. Skilled musicians – obviously it’s not their first rodeo so they kept momentum, mixing things up, even tossing in an outfit change midway through and finishing up the encore portion of the show with confetti cannons.  

Words flashed on the large video back-screen, so you could sing along if you felt inspired, of course, this crowd sang without being prompted. With the popular selections on the setlist, the big dome transformed into a huge karaoke room with almost everyone singing along.

 

Mikkel and Jascha both complimented the crowd saying how wonderful everyone sounded. And they did sound great. Mikel also noted, that their first visit here was about 20 years ago and they enjoy performing for the enthusiastic Philippine crowds and actually look forward to it. A special compliment indeed, and it wasn’t just rhetoric, you could tell they meant what they were saying; sincerity is tough to fake, most people see right through it. 

It was also entertaining to listen to Jascha’s comedic banter in-between songs, the arena burst into laughter on more than one occasion. At one point he came out from behind the keyboard with a second microphone in hand, and he quipped how it smelled better that the other one, as he held it close to his nose and sniffed, the fans laughed when he mentioned the name Carly, a reference to the last performer playing at the venue, Carly Rae Jepsen. 

And from what movement Jascha was limited to at the keyboards, Mikkel made up for on guitar. His animated style, something more akin to a performance from an edgier rock band, like Death Cab for Cutie or Stone Temple Pilots. It’s fun to watch him play, he really gets into it. It’s rare to see the guitarist visit the crowd, but he did, usually it’s the lead vocalist jumping the barricade.

Not to be outdone by the antics of the younger generation, there was a portion of the show where he borrowed a cellphone to record a one-of-a-kind video from on-stage for a lucky fan. They also mixed things up with a two song acoustic set and a couple of tracks that kicked things up a notch, “Wild Women’ and another “funked-up” version of a fan favorite, with flames and interesting graphics on the video, not their typical love songs. 

With all of the above mentioned, it’s easy to place this one in the win column, a relaxing night of musical enjoyment for all. Which included the band, and if they’re not having a good time, usually no one else is either. If you get the chance, even if you’re not a fan of jumbo shrimp, military intelligence, or good grief, soft rock or any other oxymoron you can conjure up, go check out this band, and of course bring your significant other. – Rappler.com