Anna of the North brought her Crazy Tour to Manila in 2023 for an intimate night of dreamy synth-pop, fan favorites, dancing, and good vibes.
Some concerts are meant for arenas. Others just feel better in a small room where you're close enough to actually see the artist and feel the energy from the crowd.
That was pretty much Anna of the North in Manila.
On September 29, 2023, Norwegian singer-songwriter Anna of the North brought her Crazy Tour to House Manila at Newport World Resorts. It was an intimate night filled with dreamy synth-pop, familiar songs, a lot of dancing, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that made it feel less like a huge concert and more like one big night out with fellow fans.
And yes, we got Lovers.
The Concert
| Artist | Anna of the North |
| Tour / Show | Crazy Tour |
| Venue | House Manila, Newport World Resorts |
| Date | September 29, 2023 |
| Location | Pasay City, Philippines |
| Duration | Around 1 hour~ |
| Presented by | DMC Philippines |
About the show
I've always liked how Anna of the North's music sits somewhere between dreamy pop and electronic music. It's the kind of music that can feel very chill one minute and then suddenly make you want to dance the next.
So seeing her perform live in a relatively intimate venue was a pretty fitting experience.
The Manila stop was part of her Crazy Tour, supporting her Crazy Life album while also bringing some of her older fan favorites to the set. Manila was also the final stop of the tour, which made the night feel a little more special.
House Manila also worked really well for this kind of show. It wasn't one of those concerts where you're sitting far away from the stage trying to see the artist on a screen. The smaller setting made the whole thing feel much more personal.
There were also performances from DENOVA and RebMoe before Anna took the stage.
The Setlist
The setlist was a nice mix of songs from Crazy Life and her older releases, so there was something for both newer listeners and longtime fans.
Moving OnNo Good Without UFeelsSomeoneRed LightBird SingNobodySwirlMeteoriteThank Me LaterDream GirlLeaning On MyselfThe DreamerSway / Baby / Oslo Medley (stripped-down version)I Do YouPlaying GamesMy LoveEncore:LoversFire
The Manila setlist included several songs from Crazy Life, along with tracks from her earlier releases including Dream Girl, Lovers, and Leaning On Myself.
Concert Highlights
Dreamy pop in a very intimate setting
What I liked most about this show was how close everything felt.
Anna's music already has this dreamy, slightly nostalgic quality to it, so hearing those songs live in a smaller venue made the experience feel very different from watching a performance online or listening through headphones.
There was enough room to dance and move around, but it still felt intimate. You could actually see Anna on stage, hear the crowd singing along, and just get lost in the music for a while. It was honestly just a really nice night out.
The Anna of the North songs we know and love
Of course, there were plenty of songs I was waiting for. “Dream Girl,” “My Love,” “Nobody,” “Someone,” and “Lovers” were some of the highlights for me.
“Lovers” in particular was one of those moments where you could feel the entire room come together. It's probably one of Anna's most recognizable songs, especially for people who discovered her through To All the Boys I've Loved Before, where it was featured on the soundtrack. And hearing everyone sing along to it live? Definitely one of those concert moments.
The stripped-down medley
One of my favorite parts of the set was the stripped-down Sway / Baby / Oslo medley.
After all the electronic beats and more upbeat moments, having this softer section in the middle of the show gave the concert a different feel. It was simple, intimate, and very Anna. And I think that's what made the whole show work. It wasn't just one continuous dance set. There were quieter moments mixed in with the more energetic ones, so the mood kept shifting throughout the night.
Anna being Anna
Another thing I remember about the show was how naturally Anna interacted with the audience.
There was a certain awkward-but-charming quality to her between songs that made her feel very approachable. She joked around, shared little stories, laughed with the crowd, and didn't have that distant “performer on a stage” feeling. It felt pretty genuine.
Considering this was her first time performing in the Philippines, it was also nice seeing how warmly the Manila crowd welcomed her. She even told the audience that Filipinos were the best crowd. Honestly, we will gladly take that. 😂
Dancing to Anna of the North
The show wasn't all dreamy and emotional either. Songs like “Dream Girl,” “Leaning On Myself,” “No Good Without U,” and “Playing Games” had everyone moving.
That's probably the best way I can describe the entire night: dreamy but fun.
You could just stand there and take everything in, or you could dance and completely let loose. There was no pressure to do either. It was just one of those concerts where you could relax and enjoy yourself.
Concert Photos
A few photos from the night, capturing Anna during her Crazy Tour performance at House Manila.
A Few Notes...
Looking back, I think what made Anna of the North's Crazy Tour in Manila memorable was how uncomplicated it all felt.
It wasn't a massive arena production. There weren't thousands of people packed into a huge stadium. It was just a relatively intimate venue, good music, an artist who clearly enjoyed being there, and a crowd that was more than happy to sing, dance, and have a good time.
And maybe that's exactly what I needed from a concert like this.
I've been to plenty of huge shows where the production is the main event, but there is something really nice about seeing an artist in a smaller space where the music itself gets to take center stage.
Anna's music already feels personal, and seeing her perform it live made that feeling even stronger.
By the time “Fire” closed the show, it felt like the perfect ending to the night. The crowd had gone from quietly taking in the dreamy songs to fully dancing and singing along, and then suddenly it was over.
Just like that. A little bit of synth-pop, a little bit of dancing, and a really good Friday night in Manila.
And yes, I'm still glad we got “Lovers.”
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