As one of the longest-running production houses in Manila, Red Ninja Productions has always been the go-to for a great live show. This was none the more proven at the group’s annual anniversary show, the Red Ninja Year 9 Fest.

^{Carlos Castano}

B-Side started packing up as early as 2pm, with pre-show performances by Zsaris and Martin Riggs. The event itself started with an explosive set by Carousel Casualties, followed by Carlos Castano, The Morning Episodes, and TheSunManager.

 

^{Roberto Sena of She's Only Sixteen}

Clara Benin and Keiko Necesario held the audience rapt with their respective acoustic sets, while She’s Only Sixteen, Oh, Flamingo!, Lions and Acrobats, and Runway Crimes had the crowd jumping with their high-energy performances.

 

^{Pochoy Labog of Dicta License}

One of the main highlights of the night was none other than Dicta License, who performed for Red Ninja for the first time that night. The 19-year old band performed hits like “Complex,” “Alay sa mga Nagkamalay Noong Dekada Nobenta,” and of course, “Ang Ating Araw.”

 

^{Mayumi Gomez of Imago}

Then came time for crowd favorites like December Avenue, Hale, and Imago, whose every song sparked a sing-along with the audience.

 

^JCBX

Even as one of the newest acts in the line-up, indie rock band JCBX (fronted by Cheats' Enzo Hermosa) were nonetheless welcomed alongside music scene veterans like Tom’s Story, Pedicab, and Ebe Dancel.

 

^{Ben & Ben}

As the night wound down, Red Ninja proved that no matter how diverse local music is today, there’ll always be a crowd ready and eager to listen. The night ended with performances by hip hop act Assembly Generals, indie/math-rock band Run Dorothy, pop band Over October, and finally, the much-awaited 9-piece folk-pop act Ben&Ben.

 

 

Were you at the Red Ninja Year 9 Fest? What was your favorite part? Leave a comment below!