How I crowd surfed at an overseas gig…but never really noticed

A month ago, I flew to Singapore to watch MUTEMATH who performed at the Mosaic Music Festival. Known for putting on one of the best live performances, MUTEMATH has a signature move that involves throwing an air mattress to the crowd while vocalist Paul Meany jumps on it and uses it to crowd surf.

I got a seat that was not so far from the front, yet right smack in the center. It definitely meant I would be one of the many who would be able to carry someone and pass him or her overhead.

READ AND VIEW PHOTOS: Razorback goes nuts in Singapore

I’ve only ever taken photos of people crowd surfing and have never done it myself. Nor have I experienced someone jump from stage and land on an area where I would be forced to raise my arms and pass the person along to the next person in the crowd. I knew it was something I had to experience at least once in my life—whether on top as surfer or underneath with the crowd.

Who is MUTEMATH, anyway?

And I knew that MUTEMATH crowd surfs in their gigs every single time. Not that I was watching the band for this alone (but it was also awesome to see Paul Meany backflip from the top of his synthesizer).

MUTEMATH is known for their technical arrangements and odd meters infused with grand melodies. They’re one of the few bands that make the genre math rock accessible.

WATCH EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Pinoys bring the noise to Cambodia

They may not sound complicated, but, in reality, math rock arrangements are no joke.

Your favorite band’s favorite band

A lot of noted Filipino musicians were there too to see the band.

Urbandub’s John Dinopol and Lalay Lim went to Singapore just for the gig and flew back right after the show.

Brian Sombero of Brisom, Enrique de Dios of KJWAN and Brigada, who were there for a gig, also watched.

READ AND SEE SLIDESHOW: Bigger dreams fill up empty seats at hip-hop concert

Former MYX VJ Janine Ramirez flew in from Japan to see the band and Malay’s Pochoy Labog and Greyhoundz’s Niño Avenido, both long-time fan of MUTEMATH, were present.

‘Hands up! Hands up!’

So the show started with an amazing set of lights to complement the music. As the show progressed, the chances seemed to grow dimmer that any crowd surfing was going to happen. The audience may have been on its feet, but the venue also had built-in seats.

Then, I heard the band say, “Hands up! Hands up!” One of the band’s roadies ran onstage carrying an air mattress and then threw it to the crowd! Paul Meany jumped on it, and, with the crowd lifting the mattress, tried to sing while balancing himself.

VIEW PHOTOS: Eraserheads most well-attended concert at world music fest

Meanwhile, I had to take a photo of that moment before it headed towards me. Then, with a mixture of fear and excitement, I closed my eyes, raised my hands and screamed as the shadow of the glowing air mattress passed by above me.

Wait, what just happened??

I was waiting to feel the weight, then suddenly the stage lights hit my face again.

I opened my eyes and saw that the mattress had already passed and Paul Meany was in the center of the room singing to the crowd on the second level.

REVIEW: Rivermaya flies free, but can the band rule again?

Apparently I was too short to actually be able to carry the mattress.

Gauging from the tall guys around me, I realized that even if I had raised my hand, I was still about a foot short of being able to pass someone on to the next person.

Not quite off my bucket list

I was slightly disappointed and yet I was laughing so hard at what just happened. I could actually see the mattress almost topple over from afar because of height differences: the mattress was higher on one side and shorter in the other.

I’m not sure if I can cross this one out of my bucket list. Well, maybe if I entered it in another category called: Carry a Crowd Surfer with the Invisible Force of My Hands 'Cause the People around Me Happen to Be 12 Inches Taller than My Reach.

WATCH THE TRAILER: Turning a local comic book into a movie

But seriously, even if what happened to me sounds silly, the MUTEMATH gig wasn’t your typical rock show, as the band is known for pushing themselves farther than what’s expected of them.

As “Typical,” one of their hit songs, goes: “…cause I know there’s got to be another level.”

Clearly, I needed that extra level…or maybe really, the extra height.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed.