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Moonpools & Caterpillars: fresh and timeless

An overhwelmed Kimi Encarnacion, vocalist of Moonpools & Cateripillars; the setlist (Photos by Francis Brew)

A truckload of 90s kids showed up to watch the three reunion gigs of 90s faves Moonpools and Caterpillars: April 8 and April 11 in Amber, The Fort, and April 9 in The Outpost in Cebu City.

Although essentially inactive as a musical unit since 1997, save for a pair of benefit gigs in the US last year, Moonpools and Caterpillars delivered the goods as they performed tunes mostly from their sole and still-much-loved major label release "Lucky Dumpling”—throwing in Juan de la Cruz Band’s "Beep Beep" for good measure.

 

Fans were either teary-eyed or in a “I-can't -believe-they're-here!” state, and those fans included opening acts (April 8) Moonstar 88, We Are Imaginary (formerly known as Your Imaginary Friends), and The Pin-ups. There were four opening acts on their April 11 gig, including Chicosi and Barbie Almalbis.

If anything, the gigs revealed a timeless band: the songs still sounded fresh, their enthusiasm uncolored by cynicism and the fans who showed up gave back many times over.

 

That they never became a worldwide breakout band in the 90s despite the critical favors they received then is almost irrelevant.

At least for these three reunion gigs, new material, while anticipated, isn't necessary and the band is content to play up its momentary legacy.

It is rather frustrating, though, that after 17 years of silence barely wearing out their welcome, they feel as if they've only just begun. The welcome mat remains clean and untattered.

Maybe after these three gigs, they'll reconsider their position.

 

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