SoundStrip

The enigmatic avant-garde artist Space-Ta is not only time-traveling but is going international.

They are mostly known as the “boyce”—pun intended—singing acoustic covers on Youtube, gaining popularity there from rendering their own version of today’s popular songs. However, the Florida-based boy band is also set to get out from the screens and perform live, and this time, in the Philippines.

2022 has been a great year for Clara Benin. Aside from getting featured on a Times Square billboard in New York ahead of International Women’s Day, the folk darling received two nominations at the recently concluded 8th Wish Music Awards and collaborated with international artists such as British singer-songwriter Lowswimmer. On top of her achievements, Benin also dropped a song called “Affable Dork,” which garnered rave reviews for “adopting a jazz-pop approach.”

After signing with Widescope Entertainment in 2020, Sitti’s career has taken off in a big way.

Artikulo Kwatro is back with a new single and their first release for 2023.

K-Pop star Choi Min-ho or simply Minho, one of the four members of the popular Korean boy band SHINee is now in Manila for his scheduled fan meet happening this Saturday, January 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

During the bonfire to celebrate the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ recent UAAP Men’s Basketball Championship, the Itchyworms, Ateneo alumni themselves, performed their classic, “Beer” early into their set.

The month of love is around the corner and there is no better way to celebrate than keeping loved ones entertained with love-filled concerts at Newport World Resorts.

With many of their contemporaries hanging up their guitars or having shifted this mortal coil, Pinoy Rock legends Maria Cafra are not only alive and kicking in 2023 but are about to release a brand new album featuring all new material.

From the start, at the peak of Sugarfree in the early 2000s, lead vocalist Ebe Dancel never imagined celebrating a 20th anniversary of their first album. It was only when a friend reminded him of it that he realized “Sa Wakas” is going to be two decades old, which has now become an OPM classic that every generation—even the young ones—are familiar with.

For a bunch of kids who started a band for the most juvenile of reasons—to look cool and to get the girls’ attention—One Click Straight has marked quite a few milestones: three EPs, a full-length album, and bragging rights to capturing the audience in sought-after venues like Route 196 and Saguijo.

David Crosby, the brash rock musician who evolved from a baby-faced harmony singer with the Byrds to a mustachioed hippie superstar and an ongoing troubadour in Crosby, Stills, Nash & (sometimes) Young, has died at 81, several media outlets reported Thursday.

Radio listeners will soon hear the true sound of public service as Radyo5 92.3 FM welcomes 2023, in time with the Chinese New Year, with a new program line-up and its fortified battlecry: “Ito na ang totoong tunog ng Serbisyo Publiko!” 

Ken Suson is no stranger to the limelight- after all, he is 1/5th of P-pop titans SB19, who recently conquered the world with their “Where You At?” Tour. There’s no denying their collective success, who are also hands-on with their personal endeavors. 

Watch the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival from anywhere in the world this April 14-16, and 21-23 as YouTube and Goldenvoice renew their partnership making YouTube the exclusive livestream and content platform for the festival.

Breakout singer and songwriter MimiWebb has released her latest pop anthem, “Red Flags.” The high-energy track gives fans another taste of what to expect from her forthcoming debut album, Amelia, out March 3, 2023, via EPIC Records.  

Newport World Resorts opens the year with the ultimate jamming experience for OPM fans. Legendary bands are set to rock the stage for a two-night concert series dubbed “Musiko: Timeless Pinoy Bands” featuring back-to-back performances from Itchyworms and Rocksteddy on January 20 and South Border and Neocolours on January 21 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

One of indie pop’s most beloved bands – Belle and Sebastian released their 12^th album, Late Developers this past January 13.

The University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) or simply Korus, one of the university’s official performing groups, celebrates its 60th anniversary with a concert entitled “Sama-Sama Together” to be held on February 4, 2023 (Saturday), 5:00 pm at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — She was dubbed a “rock princess,” but Lisa Marie Presley staked her own musical claim as a singer-songwriter, allowing her to express herself apart from — but sometimes alongside — her megastar father.

After a sold-out run in The Theatre at Solaire Resort in October, Becoming Ice: The 35th Anniversary Concert will do an encore for music fans to be held at the Pacific Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino in Cebu City on February 18, 2023.

It might come as a surprise, but bands Over October and The Ridleys have been intertwined personally for a long time now. Vocalists of the bands Josh Buizon and Benny Manaligod respectively knew each other since childhood, considering that their parents are friends. Now, both bands have coiled their music for their first-ever collaboration. 

COLOURA, In Between

Universal Records, one of the biggest and most-known record labels here in the Philippines just produced its first-ever online mini-series and it’s set to launch this February 2023!

Twenty years after indie pop rock band Orange & Lemons dropped their debut album Love in the Land of Rubber Shoes and Dirty Ice Cream on compact disc via Terno Recordings, that much-lauded album filled with OPM pop gems has gotten the vinyl treatment.

Reactions to the death of Jeff Beck, rock innovator and guitar virtuoso who died Tuesday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff Beck, a guitar virtuoso who pushed the boundaries of blues, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, influencing generations of shredders along the way and becoming known as the guitar player’s guitar player, has died. He was 78.

Everything But The Girl have today confirmed details of Fuse, their first new studio album in over 24 years, out on 21st April.

Ahead of the January 8 theatrical release of TriStar Pictures’ Whitney Houston biopic, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment has dropped the official 35-song soundtrack, serving as a musical memoir of the cinematic voyage. Listen here.

It is always with great anticipation that I look forward to the new work from the brothers Ronaldo and Ronnel Vivo. Theirs is such a fermentative creative mind that they are constantly producing music whether it be with the Insektlife Cycle (psychedelic), Dagtum (death metal), Abanglupa (hardcore punk), and Imperial Airwaves (post-punk). And all this music is wrapped in between arresting artwork designed by Ronaldo.

While the hip-hop scene oftentimes consists of voyeuristic lyricism and revealing music videos that are considered “sexy,” Young Blood Neet (or known as YB Neet) chooses otherwise. According to the 21-year-old rapper, he wants to use HipHop as a way to “motivate” his listeners in life.

One of the most talked about films is Noah Baumbach’s White Noise. Currently streaming on Netflix, Baumbach’s absurdist comedy-drama about “a family grappling with love, death, and an airborne toxic event” is based on the acclaimed breakout novel of the same title by Don DeLillo.

Columbia Pictures’ Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is an opportunity for audiences to experience Whitney Houston’s best-known songs in the story of the telling of her life.  

Reggae Festival by the Beach with Quino of Big Mountain and other local reggae artist and bands happening on January 11, 2023, at Mactan Newtown Beach, as their official event venue.

Filipino alternative rock icon Ebe Dancel celebrates the enduring legacy of Sugarfree’s Sa Wakas with an experiential treat that brings to mind the colorful vibe of UP Fair and the intimacy of a packed, outdoor event.

One of Filipino indie rock’s best kept secrets and Indie rock band Dystocia Curve opens 2023 with their fourth album with a numeronym for a title in Taclob 1. Or “Tacloban.”

2022 was a great year not just for music. The concert scene has now returned to its vibrant pre-pandemic state. Clubs and bars are once again featuring live entertainers and bands. For Original Pilipino Music in particular, the year also saw more new releases than ever.

Following the positive reviews that SB19 and NOBITA earned for their unique spin on The Eraserheads’ beloved classics, more OPM acts have come together to pay tribute to the country’s biggest and most influential band of all time.

After being postponed for two years, the Philippine KPop Convention Inc. (KPOPCONPH) is bringing you back the grandest, longest-running, and most prestigious K-POP gathering in the Philippines. Happening on December 30, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, KPOPCON 11 is definitely the gathering you would want to attend to end the year with a bang.

Last December 25, 2022 (Christmas Day), Sound Experience Manila (SX Manila) and the National Parks Development Committee organized the holiday concert, “Jingle Bell Rockin’!”, to cap the day of Christmas off. The event was attended by thousands of people, as the audience and fans filled the seats and crowded the Rizal Open-Air Auditorium with enthusiasm and passion for the artists’ performances. The lineup for the concert was comprised by artists and bands from different genres of music, sporting the talents of Blaster Silonga and the Celestial Klowns, Mojofly, Pseudo Red, Wolf Gypsies, Pseudo Red, Hazel with the Brothers De Leon, Chilla Manila, and Gin Rum and Truth.

Jose Villanueva III needs no further introduction other than this: you might know him as singer-songwriter and producer, Quest.

If there’s one OPM rock band from the ‘90s that needs no further introduction, it would probably be the Eraserheads.

Newport World Resorts’ Full House Theater Company (FHTC) is finally making its much-awaited return to the theater scene. After four years, the hit musical, Ang Huling El Bimbo is coming back in an epic way at the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater.

It came upon a midnight clear… the sound of merry jazz in this silent of nights.

Broadway International Group launched a multi-year international tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC in Singapore this Fall. This lavish and popular production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals of all time continues with multi-week stops throughout The Philippines, India, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, with other additional countries to be announced.  

CHEATS, Houseplants

The Eraserheads once again sealed their position as OPM legends with an epic 3-hour concert attended by a 75,000-strong crowd that brought to life the whole 2-hectare space of the SMDC Festival Grounds.

Everything is all set for Eraserheads’ long-awaited and final reunion concert in the Philippines! With the event just one day away, organizers have released concert guidelines to ensure the safety of all goers. This comes after a meeting wherein the venue and city officials committed to ensuring a smooth and fun concert for all.

LONDON (AP) — Musician Terry Hall, who helped create of the defining sounds of post-punk Britain as lead singer of The Specials, has died. He was 63.

Over 50,000 fans trooped to the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor arena, as Korean supergroup SEVENTEEN returned to the Philippines with “SEVENTEEN BE THE SUN World Tour Bulacan” in what was considered the biggest K-pop event in the country this year.

Indulge your Christmas wish and catch the highly anticipated Eraserheads’ Huling El Bimbo this month. Cignal TV, the event’s Official Live Philippine Broadcaster, is bringing front-row access to the much-awaited reunion concert right to your TV screens LIVE and in HD this December 22 for only P650.

Prior to kicking off their WYAT tour last September at the Araneta Coliseum, SB19 admits to being nervous about leaving the country and performing abroad.

Some 51 records from independent artists and labels were released this past 2022, and it looks like 2023 is going to be even bigger. There will still be reissues but there will be a lot more first-time releases and new music.

Cherise Katriel, Cola Cabalcar and Alyn – “Pinakapasko” 

Friday night… December 16… I had the perfect antidote to the unnerving madness of carmageddon in Metro Manila made worse by Holiday shoppers… the JR Oca Experience (JOE) at the Tago Jaz Café in Cubao.

The pursuit for the true passion of one’s life is seemingly endless. This doesn’t mean that the journey has to be lonely or daunting.

If there is any indication of the return and continuous growth of vinyl as a physical medium for music releases, consider this…. in the year 2022, there were 50 – yes, you read that right – independent releases on vinyl whether via 7,10, or 12-inch.

To help celebrate its 25^th anniversary in the retail industry, Puregold has decided to shine a spotlight on feel-good “panalo” stories that will inspire its loyal customers. These episodes were shared in a series of uplifting videos on Puregold’s official social media channels.

After striking the indie scene with “Paumanhin” and “Papatungo”, together with having their songs featured in the iWantTFC series “Sleep with Me”, the sibling alt-pop duo finally paints us a collection of songs about their musical journey through their debut EP “Outlines”. 

Still in euphoria over their hugely successful, sold-out Tanaw concert that took place at The Theatre at Solaire last November 26, Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas have decided that once is simply not enough.

Ovation Productions, promoter in the Philippines of the ROAD TO ULTRA electronic music festival presents world-famous DJ Alesso on December 17, 2022 at the SMDC Festival Grounds. Also featured is Acraze.

On December 26, 1993, DIY advocate Renmin Nadela launched the Pinoy band Agaw Agimat with the aim of influencing the taste of music listeners towards progressive sounds. The idea for the band sprang from Renmin’s own conviction that his Do-It-Yourself spirit points to the future of the music.

It has been a little over several weeks since British indie pop band Prep played Manila for the fourth time in their career and we caught up with vocalist Tom Havelock and drummer Giom Jambel who were back in England.

The upcoming concert of Filipino rock icons, the Eraserheads, will be their last in the Philippines as confirmed by the producers.

Spotify recently unveiled its 2022 Wrapped campaign — announcing the top artists, albums, songs, playlists, and podcasts that showcase the vibrant kaleidoscope of more than 456 million listeners around the world. Spotify users can also find their personalized Wrapped experience, with latest features that celebrate how they soundtracked their year.

Christmas is just around the corner again! Did you miss spending those loud and joyful parties with your friends and family in one place, complete with fun and competitive games, exciting raffle prizes, and memorable performances after two years of intimate celebrations at home because of the pandemic? It’s time to bring back the fun of being together and enjoy a well-deserved celebration at the upcoming TM FunPasko Party on December 10, 2022 at Provincial Oval, Kagawasan Freedom Park, Dumaguete City.

Less than six months after Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” enjoyed an unprecedented resurgence thanks in large part to the Netflix series, Stranger Things, another underrated 80s classic is being revived in a big way by another Netflix content.

With a new music video titled “S.W.A.B.E.”, the five-man OPM band named The MotherCampers aka TMC are gaining traction on online music platforms. Band songwriter Ayanstein Tolentino told SoundStrip that it’s the lead single to their upcoming album titled “Hindependencia.”

Before they were known as “Press Hit Play,” the P-Pop group was called “PHP”in 2019  to attribute Philippine music. But later in 2020, the boy band announced a new name still maintaining the acronym “PHP” but emerging now as “Press Hit Play.” Lead vocalist Chrls said the reason behind this decision is they wanted to take the group “to a higher level.”

The recently concluded 35^th Awit Awards – held last November 23^rd at the New Frontier Theater – was truly a momentous occasion for both musicians and passionate music fans as numerous accolades and honors were given to the best of the best in Philippine Music.

88rising today announced the surprise inclusion of international artist Jessi to the lineup of Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival in Manila.

From the creators of Wanderland Music & Arts Festival and concert series Karpos Live, Karpos Multimedia brings you a new Christmas tradition to make your holidays more special! Experience live music, thrilling rides, magical activities, and a jolly celebration for the whole family all wrapped together at the biggest and first theme park music festival in the Philippines—Salo-Salo Fest. Don’t miss this 3-day celebration on December 2, 3, and 4 at Enchanted Kingdom featuring a lineup of 40+ artists!

88Rising and Live MNL’s Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival is easily one of the most anticipated music events of the year. Presented by Globe with GCash as major sponsor, the festival is happening this December 9 and 10 at the SM Festival Grounds in Parañaque City.

Initially, Bajula was supposed to be a duo composed of just Frazier and Vertigo. Despite being in the middle of the pandemic last year, the two worked together in terms of making music by just communicating virtually—a process in which some artists find hard to do. It was an exchange of ideas between the two, and as a result, they ended up making 12 demo tracks.

You know something is worth it when you skip the Ateneo-UP game and two FIFA World Cup matches to watch an awesome jazz band make their debut performance at Tago Jazz Café.

Oscar, Golden Globe and two-time Grammy winning singer-actress Irene Cara, who starred and sang the title cut from the 1980 hit movie “Fame” and then belted out the era-defining hit “Flashdance … What a Feeling” from 1983′s “Flashdance,” has died. She was 63.

Often referred to as the New Millennium, the 21^st century began as a prolific time not just for Original Pilipino Music as a whole but for female rock artists in particular.

The Alliance for Healthy Children (AHC) which includes various civic organizations such as: Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Jaycees, Midwives and the World Vision and others in partnership with The Manila Hotel will hold a fund-raising concert and formally launch the massive nationwide nutrition program for children at the Tent City of The Manila Hotel on November 26, 2022 at 6:00 pm.

For the first time, Korean girl group MAMAMOO will finally be coming to the Philippines as they kick off their first-ever world tour titled “MY CON” with MANILA on Sunday, February 12 at the Araneta Coliseum. Promoted by Wilbros Live.

It’s a rainy Thursday evening in the ever-busy BGC district, yet a huge crowd braved the workday traffic and the unpredictable weather for Fiji Blue’s first-ever show in the Philippines, brought by concert powerhouse Wilbros Live.

For the first time in, well, forever, the hit Broadway musical adaptation of the widely acclaimed Disney fairy tale franchise, Frozen is coming to Southeast Asia.

Jack White first rose to mainstream popularity as the one-half of American punk/blues/garage rock duo The White Stripes, which he formed with his former wife, Meg White in 1997. They released six albums. The band’s chart-topping and award-winning single, “Seven Nation Army,” was lauded by critics as one of the best songs of the 2000s. It remains insanely popular to this day.

PENTATONIX and LEA SALONGA – “Christmas In Our Hearts”

The hidden jazz treasure and the hidden jazz bar.

Last year, Widescope Entertainment released Pagmamahal Ngayong Pasko, a six-song compilation Christmas EP featuring the label’s artists namely Ebe Dancel, Sitti, Letrang Norte, 46 Hope St., Tim Allen, Jam Quijano, Catharsis, Bongclinks, and Noel Mendez.  

Wake up, dreamers! DPR is officially bringing The Regime World Tour to the Philippines. After hinting Asia-Pacific dates in their tour announcement last April, the entire gang is prepped to take the stage and make their highly anticipated Manila debut on November 30 at The Festival Tent, Alabang.

As live events return to the Philippines with a vengeance, Smart, the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, is making sure to bring the most dynamic event experiences as it launches ‘Smart Live,’ which gives subscribers first dibs, exclusive access, and perks in the country’s most epic happenings – from concerts, sports events, plus more. 

While in a queue to enter the Singapore National Stadium where Guns N’ Roses was going to perform on Saturday night, November 12, behind me was a Filipino family of three – the parents and their 16-year old daughter.

“Five different songs. Five different vibes.”

BLASTER SILONGA, My Kosmik Island Disk