Just from the uploaded sequence: The much-talked about “collapse” of the ex-Eraserheads frontman in their reunion concert last night: Ely Buendia after the 15th song knelt, or sat down, then after the break concert organizers announced he had to be rushed to the hospital and the concert cut short.
They were paid well for this concert, by the way; reportedly in the range of two million or more apiece (each member), at least. Not to worry.
Here also is the much-talked 15th song. Contrary to fans’ claims (based on their hindsight and not any observable signs) that it was “evident” that he was already “nahihirapan” (having a difficult time) during this song, the musician, just from the uploaded sequence, held on until the last note and was in full control of the entire song, he didn’t flub any of the lyrics and he finished the song. From the tape alone, you couldn’t tell if his imperfect heart (he has a previously diagnosed heart condition) was already giving in (everybody sweats when they’re exerting). Except that….
Except that: i’ve seen earlier versions of this song “Lightyears” , live and taped, Ely Buendia usually sings “Big-Dipper- north- of- nowhere- outside- the- room- inside- my- mind…” : dreamy and mellow, almost syrupy, almost pining. In this last version of Lightyears, just from the uploaded sequence, he gives an angry rendition; compared to his earlier versions, he puts pressure on the notes and doesn’t hold them long. In the last repeat of the refrain, he takes big inhales before the long notes and you see the gaps, then he puts more pressure on the notes and words (as compared to the version in the early years.). Maybe he was already having physical difficulty towards the last stanza, or maybe he wished he was somewhere else rather than there, i really don’t know. But there was a simmering and not-expressed rage in that night’s version of the song, as compared to the rendition of their younger hearts of ten years ago.
