Music unites and reunites, and the opportunity to watch and hear the most revered artists of your generation play their most loved hits, live, is an opportunity that no audiophile should miss.
Get Music NU Rock Years, presented by Smart Music Live and MCA Music, brings together five OPM rock acts who, aside from climbing the charts at NU107 throughout the 1990s and early 2000s and defining the music of that era, inspired — and on occasion, mentored — a succeeding generation of artists, pushing the envelope to keep the local band scene alive.
There is a long list of bands that rocked NU107 listeners, but only five will be included in the NU Rock Years line-up. They will be playing full sets, which should cover a considerable chunk of their discography. It’s not going to be a recap of just one or two throwback hits, but full-blown live performances of the songs that defined the careers of these artists, which continue to be color our music landscape to this day.
We’ll never know exactly what they’ll be playing until Saturday, November 25, but we most likely have our wish lists.
The Itchyworms
It’s easy to assume that Jugs, Jazz, Kelwin and Chino will play the widely received and commercially successful “Akin Ka Na Lang,” and “Beer.” Will they play “Antipara,” that lovable track from “Little Monsters Under Your Bed,” the band’s first official album?
Barbie Almalbis
We can expect Barbie to sing tracks from her more recent albums, “My New Heart” and “Goodbye My Shadow.” She might even play songs that were commissioned as TV commercial jingles. However, it will be difficult to imagine a full set list without songs she released with Barbie’s Cradle such as “Goodnyt” and “The Dance,” or “Torpe” and “Firewoman” from her Hungry Young Poets days.
Ebe Dancel
Like Barbie, Ebe has established a successful career as singer-songwriter and solo artist. But we can’t deny that the songs which made us fall in love with Ebe in the first place were those released when he was still part of Sugarfree. “Kwarto,” “Burnout” and “Prom” will most probably be on the set list. Will he play “Telepono” too? It’s one of, if not the, first song we remember him playing in music clubs when Sugarfree was still starting out.
Rivermaya
Rivermaya has been touring the country as of late to promote its new album, “Sa Kabila ng Lahat.” The band’s latest lineup includes founding members Mark Escueta and Nathan Azarcon as well as second-generation members Mike Elgar and Ryan Peralta. We can expect them to perform “Manila” and “Irena,” among other tracks from the new album. If you miss “Elesi” and “Awit ng Kabataan” as well as other ‘Maya songs released when the band had other vocalists, the NU Rock Years concert might just be the chance you need.
Ely Buendia
Ely is best known for being the frontman of ‘90s pop-rock act Eraserheads, although he has formed other bands since the ‘Heads disbanded. These are the Mongols, Pupil, The Oktaves, and most recently, the soul act Apartel. Ely has tons of tricks up his sleeve for sure, but we’re not certain which ones he’ll be pulling out of the hat for this show.
How much of the Eraserheads’ discography will he be playing? Will the breakthrough single “Pare Ko,” the melodramatic “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and the controversial “Alapaap,” among other hits, be part of Ely’s set? Will he perform songs he has said he has sworn off performing, like “Toyang”?
GetMUSIC NU Rock Years will be held on Saturday, November 25 at the Araneta Coliseum. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Visit https://lnk.to/NURockYears_Tickets for tickets. For updates, visit https://lnk.to/NURockYears and https://www.facebook.com/mcamusic on Facebook.
