MANILA, Philippines?The biggest concert of the year kept thousands on their toes, but happily.

The no-seat affair that was the Rihanna and Chris Brown back-to-back gig Sunday night at the Bonifacio Global City open field in Taguig was one huge dance party that lasted almost three hours?memorable for the sidelights as much as the onstage action.

The sight of many adolescents who came with friends or with their parents was nothing really new, since today?s concert crowd has gotten younger and can already appreciate such loud bands as My Chemical Romance. But on Sunday, their number was larger than life; it seemed like pop music had become a new religion.

In this case, object of adoration was R&B, the kind that bounces with street-wise stance, and a dash of hip hop for a more compelling effect.

Brown, proclaimed as ?the best new Michael Jackson? by Rolling Stone magazine, was a spectacle as he came dangling from a rope, looking fearsome, like a storm paratrooper in a ski mask. His first three numbers were both gritty and smooth?the rough edge boosted by vigorous dancing, and a gentler side recalling the cool vocals of Usher (another so-called heir to Jackson?s legacy).

After more dancing and an invitation to join the fun (?Let?s have a party!?), a heavily sweating Brown invited volunteers onstage. As the overwhelmed guests jumped up and down with him, it was hard to tell whether or not they were disoriented when the DJ?who provided much of the music with a drummer?threw into the mix Nirvana?s ?Smells Like Teen Spirit.? From there, Brown?s act took on an anything-goes approach.

Adding fuel to the Jackson successor hype, he proceeded with an MJ tribute of sorts, doing the Moonwalk and singing along to ?Rock With You.? He was much more effective when he sang his current hit, ?With You.?

And even with a good DJ, the absence of a live band somewhat diminished the power of a hotshot artist like Brown to fully captivate the crowd. Which was what Rihanna certainly accomplished.

Audaciously sexy

Backed by a flashy set of musicians, the 20-year-old superstar coasted along a repertoire that was in turns reflective of a persona that painted her into a Madonna of color.

In a skimpy outfit, Rihanna projected audacious sexuality, striking provocative poses and prancing in high heeled shoes while performing dance-based tunes enhanced by live, bombastic rhythms. When the atmosphere turned intense with ?Don?t Stop the Music,? Rihanna had the audience in the palm of her hand. ?Filipino! Filipino!? she chanted?adapting lines from the Black Eyed Peas? ?Bebot.?

Reportedly 60,000 people watched this concert. That?s a huge number to top for Arnel Pineda and Journey, due here in March.