SB19 goes all out in ‘Wakas at Simula’ concert finale
Last year, when SB19 kicked off their “Simula at Wakas” world tour at the Philippine Arena, I said that they were ready to conquer the world. And after 21 sold-out stops across Asia, North America, the Middle East, and Oceania (not counting guest performances at festivals, events, and awards shows locally and abroad), they’ve done exactly that.
With the “Wakas at Simula: The Trilogy Concert Finale” at the SMDC Festival Grounds last April 18, they turned Parañaque and Pasay City into A’tinlandia: with local and international fans booking out accommodations from around the area, official and fan-initiated activations at SM Mall of Asia and Parqal Mall, and establishments reportedly even extending operating hours to accommodate the influx of people in town.
If the Eras Tour had the Taylor Swift Effect and Swiftonomics, I’d like to think that last weekend was a taste of the SB19 Effect or Esbinomics.
SB19’s sold-out finale concert filled up the SMDC Festival Grounds with unofficial crowd estimates going as high as 100,000. If true, that effectively makes them the P-pop group that has successfully sold out both the biggest indoor and outdoor concert venues in the country.
And this year, the Kings of P-pop are set to perform on more global stages, taking on Lollapalooza in Chicago in July and Summer Sonic in Tokyo in August so far.
But beyond the scale, the “Wakas at Simula” concert also served as a culmination of a years-long concept built, developed, and executed by SB19: their Ikalawang Yugto—the collective term for their EP trilogy of “Pagsibol,” “Pagtatag,” and “Simula at Wakas”—and the mark of a new beginning for the group, and likely on an even grander level than what they’ve already achieved in 2025.
“Going all out with a bang”
Like the kickoff, the finale concert also took on a theatrical approach—from the massive main stage that resembled castle walls to a sun-shaped extended stage. The story, shown through VCR segments during costume changes, picked up from “Simula at Wakas”’s lore and tied up elements from throughout the Ikalawang Yugto trilogy.
The show literally started off with a bang: Fireworks lit up the sky as the ensemble performed “Dam,” while a jeepney-shaped float rode into the festival grounds. On stage, flags with each EP’s logo were waved in allusion to a hero’s victorious return home.
SB19 then appeared on the extended stage. The first word out of them speaks loudly about what the group really stands for: “Pilipinas!” Josh called out, before the group launched into a performance of the three lead singles of the trilogy: “Dam,” “What?” and “Gento.”
And interestingly, the opening notes of our national anthem played over the outro of this concert version of “What?”—a patriotic nod to not only the song’s message, but even to the song’s music video, where the Murillo-Velarde map—which proved our territorial rights over the West Philippine Sea—was featured.
How’s that for Pinoy pride?
“Daming sakuna, ‘di ko ininda—andito na ‘ko sa wakas”
“Wakas at Simula” was all at once reminiscence, celebration, and anticipation. The nearly four-hour concert was filled with tracks from the trilogy, from the viral “Mapa” to kickoff favorites “Moonlight” and “I Want You,” and the fans’ party anthem, “Crimzone.” Several songs, such as “8TonBall” and “Quit,” also featured newer arrangements.
“Wakas at Simula” also marks a bolder, more vocal SB19. From a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it flashing of “ikulong na mga kurakot” on screen to a full-on VCR showing the issues marring our country in a segment called “A Call to Action,” SB19 is making good use of their art and platform as a wake-up call. Their dance hits like “Visa” and “Dungka” also reminded us of this purpose, showing you can dance the night away and still make a statement.
Throughout the concert, Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin reminisced on their journey so far. Each era of the EP trilogy brought along with it its own set of challenges, which, the group said, they’ve been able to overcome thanks to the continued support of A’TIN.
This led to expected emotional ground and moments of vulnerability as they shared their worries amid this period of success. They looked back at experiences over the past eight years, and thought about how long they might be able to keep performing. And while their openness was definitely heartfelt, sincere, and appreciated, it also opened up fears among some fans—that if you let emotions get in the way, fears of disbandment might get to you, too. But the logic and strategy will say otherwise: You don’t just launch yourself onto the biggest stages to quit halfway.
Ultimately, despite being taken on an emotional roller coaster and feeling their fears along with them, SB19 ends with reassurance: that they’ll keep going on as long as A’TIN is with them.
SB19 emerged again for the encore, performing the song that started it all: “Go Up.” And then, joined by their newly launched artists—their long-awaited girl group Xonara, and Coach Jay, aka J2X—they danced along to the perfect song for dreamers: “Shooting for the Stars”—reaffirming, with each other, with 1Z, and with A’TIN: “The universe is ours, yours and mine.”
From potential logistical nightmare to dream come true
The success of SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” concert wasn’t only through the explosive performances from the group and their guests. 1Z Entertainment, which also serves as a major producer of the show together with Live Nation Philippines, has proven it has what it takes to mount an event of this scale, without overlooking comfort and safety for the audience.
While fans were initially skeptical of the venue, particularly given the weather, they were also quick to praise concert inclusions, which included a rain poncho, cooling wipes, and a fan picket—provided for all audience members regardless of ticket tier. Comfort rooms, which are often portalets for outdoor concert or festival venues, often have a bad rap, but those at the finale concert were surprisingly air-conditioned. Water stations—all free!—were also provided throughout the venue.
Most complaints, though, revolve around not getting good views of key moments despite being seated at supposedly more premium tiers. While SB19 moving through different extended stages throughout the venue definitely helped them connect with more audiences at farther sections, aspects of the setup made it difficult to watch them even through the LEDs.
But still, we’re hopeful we’ll get to see the moments we missed (and more!) on the big screen. Justin hinted as much—and David Tu Sun Song, executive producer at CJ 4DPLEX and who has worked on films and documentaries for global K-pop groups like BTS, Seventeen, and NCT, basically confirmed it through a post dated April 20.
“SB19 concert film shoot done,” he writes. “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible energy from SB19, the amazing team at 1Z Entertainment, and most of all, the unstoppable A’TIN.”
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