Sue Min Tan
16 Mar 2025
Which other artist would let you dap them up three times in a row? From cracking jokes on stage to jumping into the audience, MICO’s London leg of his ‘Internet hometown hero’ tour was electrifying, where fans and first-timers alike could participate comfortably without reservation.
A group of girls stood behind me in The Lower Third, awaiting in eager anticipation for the main event. Some two hundred people in the bar were brimming with excitement for MICO’s first appearance. Meanwhile, he was conducting a Twitch livestream from the green room next door. When the lights began to dim, our excitement peaked. The band took to the stage and the star of the show joined them, accompanied by a series of guitar riffs and cymbal rolls and enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter MICO has been releasing music independently since his debut EP ‘21st century heartbreak’ in the year of 2020. Just five years later, he embarked on his first international tour to promote his latest album ‘Internet hometown hero’, but the lineup extended beyond this album, including songs from earlier albums such as ‘down!’ and ‘m.i.a’, tracing his evolution of songwriting and steady rise to popularity. What’s more, MICO threw in a surprise cover halfway through the set of 5SOS’s ‘English Love Affair’.
Whilst MICO typically writes songs from the pop-rock genre, his recent music articulates concepts of self-worth and personal growth, forging new levels of intimacy with his fanbase. ‘Internet hometown hero’ represents a significant milestone for MICO. His first few singles from the album -‘glhf <3’ and ‘HOMESICK’ surpassed one million streams on Spotify. Notably, they mark a shift in aesthetic. While previous EPs like ‘second thoughts’ were known for their pastel colour palette, ‘Internet hometown hero’ features muted tones. MICO explains that his star image is secondary, now that he has an established fanbase in the music industry. Indeed, his outfit was in-keeping with his latest album aesthetic, sporting a classic plain white t-shirt, black leather jacket and cargo sweatpants. Fans will have noticed upon a second look a hat embroidered with a ‘<3’ symbol, a subtle nod to his song ‘glhf <3’. MICO’s casual attire humanises him, reflective of his authentic self.
His chemistry with the guitarists and drummer was abundant, contributing to a unified atmosphere. Somebody who wasn’t already familiar with MICO’s work would undoubtedly still have a memorable evening. Throughout the set, MICO’s interactions with the audience members exhibited genuine warmth. He accepted bracelets among other gifts passed onto the stage graciously and reacted to signs. At one point, a group of girls passed him a British flag covered with adoring messages and tributes to his music, which he later donned as a cape during the encore. Despite a number of technical issues, MICO maintained the show’s momentum, enhancing the atmosphere with his good humour tailored to his Gen Z fanbase.
What excited audience members above all were the performances of two unreleased songs: ‘I’d hate to be my friend’ and ‘Don’t you cry’. Die-hard MICO fans belted the lyrics shamelessly, having learnt them through the demos he released online, a testament to MICO’s influence and appeal as an artist. The energy in the room was near frenetic with each chorus. MICO exhibited dynamic variation as an artist. ‘Senses’, namely, was a sentimental touch. His emotions were laid bare for us as he removed his jacket and cap and the room was charged with the reverberation of our collective voice.
The ‘Internet hometown hero’ tour was an evening to remember. The future is bright for MICO, whose impressive vocals and charisma captivated the audience throughout. If you come by the opportunity to see MICO live, seize it with both hands!
Edited by Hannah Sugars.