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On February 17, the Philippines finally saw one of the most yearned-for reunions in the history of OPM: Rivermaya held their grandest concert yet at the SMDC Concert Grounds, drawing in tens of thousands of people in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The classic lineup, featuring frontman Bamboo Mañalac, guitarist/keyboardist Rico Blanco, bassist Nathan Azarcon, and drummer Mark Escueta, treated fans to a powerful 24-song setlist of their greatest hits. Presented by Live Nation Philippines, the historic event is a dream come true for fans of all ages.

Considered as one of the pillars of OPM, Rivermaya established their foothold in the industry as early as 1994 and has kept on going since. With their blend of Britpop and alternative rock, they shaped the scene with songs that have persisted as anthems in our country such as “Ulan”, “Kisapmata”, “214”, “Elesi” and “Awit ng Kabataan”. The band saw many lineup changes over the years, but one thing is for sure: Rivermaya shone best with their classic lineup in the years 1994 to 1998.

From start to finish, the near-three-hour show tantalized the crowd, so much that it felt like an out-of-body experience. Prior to the reunion, Rivermaya’s classic lineup was the stuff made of legends, tales you could only hear about from older people who had witnessed their prowess firsthand. They would tell you how Rivermaya was the blueprint and how they sounded so amazing when they played together. True enough, the tales proved to be true.

“Thank you very much for being here tonight! Maraming, maraming salamat! People here in front, hanggang sa likod”, Bamboo greeted the crowd excitedly before introducing each member like a show master would. To cap off the introduction, he shouted with utter conviction, “We are Rivermaya!”

Bamboo Mañalac’s vocals and stage presence were top-tier, hallelujah-level amazing — his tone going from soothing to dominating as the situation called for it. He tirelessly ran and danced around the stage, connecting with the crowd as much as possible. Rico Blanco’s guitar riffs were soaring all throughout the night, his solos adding a stylish flair to their classic tracks. Complimenting Bamboo’s energy, he fulfilled his role as the second vocalist well. Nathan Azarcon’s bass lines held their melodies together. Mark Escueta’s beats kept the pulse of their music beating all throughout the evening. Together, as Rivermaya, the four of them played in the best way they could on their grandest stage yet. Their overflowing energy was palpable, invigorating the crowd of thousands throughout the evening.

Rivermaya: The Reunion embodied masterclass fine-tuning that was done so well, that you would never hear their songs in the same way ever again. For a good part of their set, they were assisted by an orchestra under the baton of Mel Villena, the modernized arrangements breathed new life into their music.

There is the amped-up version of “Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo” that built up the song’s silent aggression so well that it made the penultimate coda all the more satisfying. The jazz-infused remixes of “Ballroom Dancing”, “Sunny Days” and “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita” gave nostalgia a funky twist. There is that solemn yet fervent rawness in their performance of “20 Million”, “If” and “Bring Me Down”. The swelling strings of the orchestra during “Luha” were enough to turn on the waterworks.

The show also boasted a lavish stage production, undoubtedly on par with major global concerts. The massive LED screens spread all throughout the stage background had varying visual effects for each song. There was an extended stage in the middle which brought the band closer to the fans at the back. There were dancing higantes and a marching band as “Awit Ng Kabataan” reverberated throughout the concert grounds.

The classic lineup called for a classic setlist, focusing on their older tracks, specifically those from their first three albums: Rivermaya, Trip, and Atomic Bomb. However, there were a few surprises as the setlist also included a special solo performance of “You’ll Be Safe Here” by Rico Blanco and Bamboo’s version of “Nerbyoso”, a track that was released after he left the band.

“You’ve got our music close to your hearts, keeping you company in your journey through life. Thank you,” Rico Blanco said as he dedicated the song “Panahon Na Naman” to the fans.

Nostalgia was at an all-time high as the crowd unanimously sang along to signature Maya tracks such as “Ulan” and “Elesi”. When the much-awaited “214” was played, fireworks burst into the sky, a moment that seemed to be cut out straight from a romantic movie. This was followed by the goosebump-inducing “Himala”. To cap it off, “Kisapmata” marked the ending as confetti and another batch of fireworks danced around the air softly.

Rivermaya: The Reunion was a dream come true for fans of all ages – a miraculous moment that seemingly went by in the blink of an eye. Being part of it truly felt surreal. It was like watching legends come to life only for one evening. I went there, thinking I would be filled with a sense of longing for the past. Yes, it was nostalgic, but beyond that, I left with a renewed appreciation for the present and a newfound admiration for Rivermaya’s music. As proven by the concert, their influence extends beyond their years together as a band, regardless of the many lineup changes. Their music will definitely continue to live on and on across generations.

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines

by Sandra Mae Laureano

LUVCON 2024 shows these feelings ain’t overrated after all.

LUVCON 2024: feelings ain’t overrated, which took place on February 10 at the SM North EDSA Skydome, examined the complex web of love in all of its manifestations and used music to powerfully communicate the nuances of human emotion. The event featured five of Thailand’s top musical performers.

To give Filipino fans the chance to explore the depths of love’s mysteries, celebrate love’s enduring influence, and unite as a community for a shared love of Thai music, among other things, Tale, Boy Sompob, Three Man Down, Boss Chaikamon, and Tilly Birds were brought together for a one-night event that took place on the Philippine concert stage. LUVCON 2024 welcomed the Lunar New Year with a spectacular that never stopped, with nearly 70 songs performed over seven hours of excellent music, flawless energy, and endearing harmony.

The event was kicked off by Thai alternative pop duo Tale with “ดวงใจ (MY HEART)”, “หลอกตวัเอง (FOOL ONESELF)”, and “นทาน ิ (TALE)”. Beautiful live performances of “FALSELY MOVING ON”, “VIVID MIDNIGHT”, “อกีเลย (ANYMORE)”, “ขอแคเธอ ่ บอกมา (ARE YOU READY?)”, and “รอ (STANDBY)” were given to the audience, their captivating melodies and heartfelt words striking and resonating with the listeners.

Tale, who celebrated their first international performance with LUVCON 2024, also paid homage to their beginnings in bars with Sza’s “Kill Bill,” Troye Sivan’s “Angel Baby,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “deja vu,” and OPM songs “Sana” by I Belong to the Zoo and “Imahe” by Magnus Haven.

Next up was Thai singer Boy Sompob, who gave moving performances of his official soundtracks to well-loved TV shows and films, such as “Until We Meet Again: The Series.” His moving songs and insightful lyrics took listeners through the complexities of loving and being loved, using music’s universal language to express the deep feelings that go along with it. With 13 songs on his set list, he gave an amazing performance: “สนั่ (SHAKE)”, “ขอ (WISH)”, “โชคดแคี ไหน ่ (THE LUCKIEST BOY)”, “ฟังใจ (YOU ARE MY DESTINY)”, “อยากใชค้ำวา่ รัก (CAN I SAY THE WORD LOVE WITH YOU)”, “จะรักใหด ้ทีสี่ ดุ (BEST YOU’VE EVER LOVED)”, “คนแรกและคนสดทาย ุ ้ (UNFORGOTTEN NIGHT OST)”, “พรหมลขิ ติ (DO YOU BELIEVE IN DESTINY)”, “นานานา (NANANA)”, “พระอาทตยเท ิ ์ี่ยงคนื (MIDNIGHT SUN)”, his rendition of Zack Tabudlo’s “GIVE ME YOUR FOREVER”, “ขอดาว (CRY FOR THE STAR)”, and “พบเพอจาก ื (UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN)”.

Boy Sompob was so moved by the affection and support he had received in Manila that he broke down in tears during his performance.

Thai pop rock band Three Man Down demonstrated how love transcends romantic relationships by embodying the comfort and sense of belonging that love offers in their songs. Throughout the band’s 15-song performance, the Philippine concert stage experienced a strong sense of “home” within families, friendships, and communities.

The audience was intoxicated by their renditions in “เมา (DRUNK IN LOVE)”, “ปล่อยให้เวลา (BROKEN CLOCK)”, “น้อง (NONG)”, “เปิดตัวเขา (REBOUND)”, “ไหนบอกเลิกแล้ว (IN MY BED)”, “ไปเถอะเธอ (JUST GO)”, “วันเกิดฉันปีนี (HBD TO ME)”, “ฝันถึงแฟนเก่า (DREAMING OF A PAST LOVE)”, “ฝนตกไหม (IS IT RAINING?)”, “เก็บไว้ในใจไม่พอ (ISN’T ENOUGH TO ONLY KEEP IN MIND)”, “ความรักทำให้คนตาบอด (LOVE MAKES PEOPLE BLIND)”, “ข้างกัน (CITY)”, “เลือกคนที่เขารักเรา (CHOOSE THE ONE WHO LOVES US)”, “คุยคนเดียวเก่ง (TALKING ALONE)”, as “ถ้าเธอรักฉันจริง (IF YOU TRULY LOVE ME)”.

With his captivating performances and soul-stirring renditions, Boss Chaikamon stole the show. The singer-actor captivated the audience with his captivating presence and a voice that effortlessly combined sexiness and charm in songs like “MY STRONGEST LOVE,” “น่ารักชปปิ ๋งุ (NARAK CHIP PUN LOEY)”, “เหมอ่ ไมได่ มอง ้ (YOUR SIGHTS)”, “MIDNIGHT”, and his renditions of Pink Sweat$’s “AT MY WORST,” BTS’s Jungkook’s “SEVEN,” and Zack Tabudlo’s “PANO.”

In addition to blazing the stage with an unmatched fervor and showcasing a different side of himself for his return to the nation, Boss—truly charm personified—treated the audience to lovely exchanges as he circled the platform, grinned, and waved to the people.

Thai alternative band Tilly Birds closed LUVCON 2024 with a packed set of songs that acted as the soundtrack for a reflective examination of the dual nature of love, where happiness and sadness coexist. Tilly Birds skillfully demonstrated via their stirring performances how these opposing feelings may support grieving, embrace recovery, and realize the transforming power of self-love and fresh starts.

During the band’s 19-song performances—”INTRO”, “WHITE PILLS”, “BANGKOK WINTER”, “CAN’T HAVE IT ALL”, “CAN’T KEEP UP”, “ALONG THE WAY”, “WORTH THE WAIT”, “MEMORIES (JAM)”, “SLIPPED YOUR MIND”, “STATUS”, “I NEED NO ONE”, “SEND YOU OFF”, “HEART IN A CAGE”, “SAME PAGE”, “LIKE A DEAD MAN”, “ORDINARY”, “UNTIL THEN (EXTENDED)”, “WHO I AM”, and “JUST BEING FRIENDLY”—the Philippine concertgoers had the opportunity to experience all of these feelings.

With music from Thailand’s top musicians and a celebration of the community, we discovered via our shared love of this music, LUVCON 2024 revealed the rich nuances of love in all its manifestations.

Special thanks to Wish Us Luck Entertainment.

A concert to remember with SCRUBB!

Thai indie pop duo SCRUBB had their debut concert in Manila on February 10 at 123 Block, Mandaluyong. The band, composed of lead vocalist Thawatpon Wongboonsiri a.k.a. Muey, and guitarist Torpong Chantabubpha a.k.a. Ball, has been an active part of the Thai indie music scene for more than 20 years now, releasing six full studio albums plus three compilation albums.

Currently, their newfound international popularity was spurred on by the 2020 romcom BL series 2Gether with lead actors Vachirawit Chivaaree and Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, more popularly known as Bright and Win. In the story, the two protagonists first meet each other while attending a SCRUBB concert. SCRUBB’s music also played a pivotal role in the show as their songs became the main soundtrack. The show’s apparent success propped up the band to do shows in neighboring Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and of course, the Philippines.

The show had 2 opening acts. First up was Elijah Canlas who is known as an actor who also dabbles in singing and rapping. He treated the crowd to a bunch of his unreleased tracks, including one titled “Loved Song” plus his debut single “kilala kita”. The 2nd opening act for the evening was indie rocker Toneejay who performed “Parang Magic”, “Aurora”, “Bawat Piyesa” and the crowd favorite “711”.

When SCRUBB took the stage, the Filipino crowd gave them the warmest welcome, cheering as loud as possible. The fans’ immense love for the series also translated to their love for the music as they sang along to the majority of the songs word-for-word. The setlist included a great number of songs from the OST of 2Gether including “Together”, “Deep”, “You Revolve Around Me, I Revolve Around You”, “Answer” and “Click”– all these they knew by heart.

Another striking thing about the concert was the audience’s pleasant reception. When Muey gestured to wave their hands in the air and danced, they mirrored his movements. Made up of mostly younger people (high school to college students), the crowd went along with the melodies, singing and jumping along as they pleased.

“Thank you for coming! I feel excited to be here today,” Ball told the crowd. As the more vocal one in the duo, he said that he was amazed that people sang along to their songs even though the lyrics were mostly in Thai. Muey also thanked the crowd repeatedly at the end of each song by putting his hands together and saying “khob khun ka” which means “thank you”. He also expressed his desire to come back here in the future.

Special thanks to Gabi Na Naman Productions!

by Sandra Mae Laureano

Twenty is such a definitive number.

Ebe Dancel, with the special participation of Mitch Singson, played Dramachine 20 Years Later at 123 Block, Mandaluyong on February 3. People in their late 20s to 40s filled the venue with one thing in mind: hear the good, old songs from an era now gone.

SEE ALSO: Ebe Dancel on Music, Friendship, Beginnings, and His Career

Sugarfree’s Sa Wakas celebrated its 20th anniversary exactly a year ago, and I was there to see the two commemorative concerts, but it didn’t hit me as hard as Dramachine turned 20 this year.

I distinctly remember that album as a young girl who was slowly discovering the wonders that music had to offer. I used to see the music video on MYX and MTV and hear it repeatedly on the now-defunct radio station NU107. Sugarfree’s Dramachine was an album I just knew even if I wasn’t an avid fan of the band back then.

They were there whenever I turned on the TV to watch the weekly charts or listened to the now-defunct NU107 on the weekends. I knew the songs by frequent association even though I didn’t own a personal copy of the album. As a high school girl who vaguely knew anything about romance, listening to “Prom” made me think that must be what it was like to fall for someone (even if our school didn’t have a prom). I would play ”Kwarto” as I was cleaning my room, pretending to feel sentimental about throwing a piece of paper that contained my ramblings. I would laugh at the kid in the “Hari Ng Sablay” music video who constantly tripped and made a fool of himself, thinking that would never be me in the future.

Ah, that was 20 years ago now. Things are much different now. Seeing Ebe Dancel sing them last Saturday gave me one hell of a throwback, I couldn’t quite get over it until now.

The show was opened by Jam Quijano, a singer/songwriter from Los Banos, whose voice soared as he sang. He performed his original song “Bribe My Heart” which was produced by Ebe Dance, as well as “Otherwise” and “Duyan”l. He also covered Rico Blanco’s song “Wag Mong Aminin” which he considers to be one of the best songs ever composed.

Everyone was thrilled when Ebe Dancel, Mitch Singson, and the band appeared onstage. It felt unreal to prematurely hear the opening chords of “Kwarto” as the opening song, but it heralded the beginning of the show, and there was no looking back from there. The audience sang along to it on cue, it was difficult to think 20 years had passed.

Most of Dramachine’s core was played: the dreamy teenage anthem “Prom”, the comforting lullaby “Tulog Na” and the unmissable “Hari Ng Sablay”. Ebe even asked a fan in the front row to sing “Kwentuhan”, and he delivered, singing each word by heart.

He also played “Bawat Daan” which he composed for the Sugarfree musical Sa Wakas: A Pinoy Rock Musical and a wedding/proposal favorite. “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Makita Kang Muli” created a unified karaoke in the pit.

A week ago, the show got postponed due to Ebe Dancel’s health. Fast forward to that evening, he was in his best condition – untouchably affable to everyone, his vocals and energy as crystal clear as ever. Being part of the crowd was such a great experience, it made 20 years’ worth of memories more vibrant, and more important.

Before the show, it was announced that it would be the last Ebe and Mitch play together in a while. In the middle of the concert, he reiterated the fact and said, “It’s just the way things go”. He recounted that after Mitch left the band in 2006, the two of them kept in touch, and it was during that time that they became really good friends.

While Ebe Dancel had kept mum about their other bandmates during their previous concerts, he broke his silence and acknowledged Sugarfree’s bassist Jal Taguibao and drummer Kaka Quisumbing that night. He thanked them repeatedly for their contribution to the band and their music.

The setlist was staggeringly composed of 22 songs. The band had to take a break in between to rest (insert age jokes here). For the 2nd part of the show, Ebe Dancel did a solemn acoustic set by himself. Dedicating “Wala Nang Hihilingin” to his loved ones who passed away recently, he sang with such intensity that he couldn’t help but get emotional towards the end. This was followed by the B-sides “Fade Away” and “Kandila” which he rarely ever played in any of his gigs.

Sa Wakas favorites “Mariposa”, “Unang Araw”, “Telepono” and “Insomya” also filled the night.

“Dear Kuya” and “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin” from Tala-Arawan were also welcome additions.

Ebe dedicated “Hang Over” from Morning And Airports to his sweetheart who could not be present in the show because she was sick.

Ebe Dancel thanked the fans again and again. “You are the reason behind this show. Wala po kami dito ngayon kung di niyo pinapakinggan ang aming mga kanta 20 years ago,” he said. Indeed, he made sure the audience played a pivotal role in the concert as he constantly looked out for their reactions and made them sing along as much as he could. The crowd then gave back the same energy which was palpable throughout the show.

The forever finale “Burnout” signaled the end of a great night. The sentiment of everyone who attended the show is most probably summed up in the lyrics: “O, kay tagal din kitang mamahalin”. Dramachine might have been released 20 years ago and Sugarfree might no longer be together, but the music and the feeling it evokes lives on and grows even now.

In his social media post the day after, Ebe Dancel said:

“Last night’s show was full of love. (…) Thank you for loving the songs still after all the years. Thank you for keeping me in the music industry for 25 years now. Thank you for making my life most extraordinary. I love you guys. Ebe and Mitch, finally signing off.”

Special thanks to Balcony Entertainment

By Sandra Mae Laureano