How NIKI's Manila show became a 'cathartic experience' for my daughter

My daughter Gabbie is an avid concertgoer, especially when the performer is an artist she loves.

- razzle-Daza

One of her favorites is NIKI, an Indonesian singer-songwriter currently based in the United States who had a sold-out show at the Araneta Coliseum last March 1.

Here is Gabbie's account of the experience:

I became a big fan of NIKI in 2022 when she released her album Nicole as I was going through a breakup. The songs captured exactly what I was feeling at the time, making the album feel deeply personal. Since then, her music and songwriting have stuck with me—they're raw, honest, and always hit close to home.

When NIKI released her latest album Buzz in 2024, it was on repeat for months—an instant no-skip album. It felt like she had read my diary and turned my thoughts into songs. I listened to it so much that NIKI became one of my Top 5 most-played artists of the year. So, when the chance came to hear those songs live, there was no way I would miss it.

I saw NIKI live for the first time in 2023 during her "Nicole World Tour,” when she played a one-night show at the Mall of Asia Arena. She was absolutely captivating on stage, and the entire performance was breathtaking. And so, it was no surprise when she announced she’d be doing two nights in MOA this time around. Soon after, she added a third date at Araneta Coliseum to mark the final show of her tour’s Asian leg.

Having grown up watching shows at the Big Dome, I hoped to see NIKI’s concert at Araneta. There’s always something more intimate about shows there, and I could already imagine how incredible the energy would feel in that setting. Luckily, I managed to get tickets to the third show with my good friend, Gabby Tagle. We’re alike in so many ways — similar personalities, shared experiences and a mutual love for NIKI — so it felt fitting to experience this concert together.