If Coachella Were in the PH: 8 OPM Acts We Love to Include in our Dream Music Festival Line-up

Apr 26, 2018

Coachella recently came to a close, but the impact of the artists’ revered performances still resonate across the global music scene. Beychella, anyone?

 

If not occupying the top spot, the California-located music revelry is definitely sitting somewhere in the higher echelon of must-see festivals for music lovers in and beyond the United States.

 

If an event as big as Coachella were to be staged in the Philippines — line-up- and impact-wise — we’re counting down eight OPM acts whose musical greatness is worthy to be seen live on the stage of the ultimate music fest for the Pinoys.

 

Gloc-9

 

Rap star Gloc-9 brings his hits to the Wish 107.5 Bus during his first-ever Roadshow gig back in 2014.

 

Rap is undeniably a force to reckon with in the Philippine music and pop culture scenes. Since it took the country by storm in the 90’s, generations of rhythm-and-poetry artists have continued to emerge and become an essential part of Filipinos’ everyday life.

 

In this field, it is almost impossible not to mention the name of formidable wordsmith Gloc-9. With smashes like “Sumayaw Ka” and “Simpleng Tao,” and hit collaborations like “Lando,” “Magdalena,”“Bagsakan,” and his acclaimed political anthem “Upuan,” he has become a household name respected both by his fans and his peers.

 

A music fest held in true Pinoy fashion will be incomplete without this rap star. Just imagine if he’d tag along fast-rising rookie rap act, Shanti Dope.

 

BP Valenzuela

 

 

Another talented act worthy of a spot in our dream music festival line-up is electronic pop singer-songwriter and producer BP Valenzuela. From her laptops and machines come a sound that’s uniquely hers — unconventional yet catchy, haunting and atmospheric yet surprisingly (and addictively) appealing.

 

Though she is fairly new to the music circuit, she has already brought her distinctive music to different festivals, including the Fête dela Musique Philippines and the Wanderland Music and Arts Festival. Not one to settle for less, she made her U.S debut earlier this year with an impressive stint at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) held in Austin, Texas.

 

The 22-year-old artist has released an EP (“be/ep”) and two albums (“The Neon Hour” and “Crydancer”).

 

Ben&Ben

 

Ben&Ben take a photo after their Roadshow stint in July 2017.

 

Originally an indie singing-songwriting duo composed of twin brothers Miguel and Paolo Guico, Ben&Ben have expanded their line up to become a nine-piece act since the release of their self-titled debut EP in December 2016. The OPM troupe now also includes Poch Baretto (electric guitar), Jam Villanueva (drums), Agnes Reoma (bass), Patricia Lasaten (keyboard), Toni Muñoz (percussions), Andrew de Pano (percussions), and Keifer Cabugao (violin).

 

Individually, they are musical virtuosos. Collectively, they are an OPM ensemble touting a world-class contemporary Filipino folk sound. Their elaborate musicality is well-showcased in tracks such as “Ride Home,” “Leaves” and “Kathang Isip.”

 

As one of the most in-demand acts in the local music scene, they have performed at various music festivals including the Singapore-held Music Matters Live.

 

3D: Danao, Dancel, Dumas

 

(L-R) Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel and Bullet Dumas promote their upcoming show during their latest Roadshow guesting on April 12, 2018.

 

If three humble lads were able to pack gig bars and stage two highly-acclaimed Music Museum shows, there’s definitely something in them that makes their crowd keep wishing for more.

 

3D is a musical trio composed of Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel (former frontman and chief songwriter of Sugarfree), and Bullet Dumas. What began as a simple union of three master singer-songwriters in various intimate live music shows in the metro has now become a phenomenal OPM act people are willing to invest their time and money in just to share a musical affair with.

 

All three exude mastery in their own crafts. Though they’re set to reunite in a Kia Theater concert this June, we’d definitely want to see their musical genius come to life in an extravagant, music fest set-up.

 

Aia, Barbie, and Kitchie

 

(L-R) Aia De Leon, Barbie Almalbis and Kitchie Nadal perform their own smashes aboard the Wish Bus.

 

The undeclared counterpart of 3D, the all-female trio of esteemed musicians Aia De Leon, Barbie Almalbis and Kitchie Nadal will also be a delightful addition to our music fest performer-wish list.

 

Just like Danao, Dancel and Dumas, the respected artists have filled the iconic Music Museum not only once, but twice. As solo acts and as a group, the ladies do not fall short in delivering an enthralling musical experience — the kind of show that any true-blue OPM fan should not miss.

 

Nadal is known for her mega-hits like “Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin” and “Bulong.” De Leon, formerly of Imago, is most remembered for “Sundo.” Almalbis, who has previously fronted the bands Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle before going solo, has smashes such as “Just A Smile” and “Tabing Ilog” under her belt.

 

Rico Blanco

 

Rico Blanco is a respected singer-songwriter and currently the President of Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (Filscap)/Photo courtesy of Universal Records

 

Rico Blanco’s music is an ever-evolving paradox.

 

The man of few words has been known for unleashing plethora of emotions through songs that are sonically and lyrically interesting. His pieces are simple and intricate; serene and riotous. They are profound and accessible in different levels, and somewhere in between these complexities, Filipinos have found themselves immersed in and captured by his charismatic music.

 

From his Rivermaya era until his solo artist-years, he has secured his status as a highly-respected singer, songwriter and producer. Apart from the Rivermaya classics, he is known for his hits “Yugto,” “Antukin,” and “Wag Mong Aminin.”

 

KZ Tandingan

 

KZ Tandingan delivers an emotionally-charged rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” during the 2nd Wish Music Awards held in January 2017.

 

After winning X-Factor Philippines, KZ Tandingan released a self-titled debut album in 2013. She followed it up with a versatility-driven sophomore record, “Soul Supreme,” which she launched on the heels of her first-ever digital concert with the same title.

 

Apart from co-headlining the successful “Divas” concert tour last year, she also dominated the industry with her revivals of “Two Less Lonely People In The World” and “Till My Heartaches End.” Just recently, she earned more fans across Asia with her buzz-worthy stint on the sixth season of Chinese TV singing competition, “Singer 2018.” It was also through this show that KZ had the chance to share the stage with one of her musical influences, Jessie J.

 

Her unrivaled swag and once-in-a-lifetime kind of musical talent — not to mention her awesome rapping skills — are sure to set any stage on fire.

 

Eraserheads

 

Though it’s only wishful thinking as of the moment, it would be great to see Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala perform as the revered OPM rock quartet Eraserheads in an event ala Coachella.

 

The famed festival has been previously headlined by big international bands such as Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Coldplay. And a Pinoy music fest of this scale demands an act as grand as the band dubbed as “the Beatles of the Philippines.”

 

They last performed in a big venue in the country in March 2009 — at the MOA Concert Grounds, in particular, for their “The Final Set” reunion concert. In the years that followed, they were able to dish out their memorable hits through occasional shows here and abroad.

 

Apart from singing Eheads classics, Ely Buendia also performed his newest solo single, “Gabi Man May Araw Din,” during the GETMUSIC NURock Years concert held at the Araneta Coliseum on November 25, 2017.

 

Just this year though, frontman Buendia posted a cryptic tweet: “Some people will never understand that people who don’t get along can’t work together.” Despite the post — which has been interpreted as a response of the eclectic musician to non-stop Eheads reunion wishes — many are still waiting for the fulfillment of their dream concert.

 

Who would you like to add in the line-up? Let’s hear your suggestions in the comments section.

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