In Photos: Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino, A Multi-Platform Celebration
Heavy
rains and traffic failed to halt Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) for
staging a record-breaking 70+ music showcases in various venues across the
country.
Presented
by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the multi-platform celebration succeeded in its
commitment to offering a broad spectrum of Filipino music talents to a diverse
audience, transforming public spaces such as malls and train stations into music
performance spectacles and curating top-notch performances in bars, concert
halls, theatres, and multimedia outlets.
Railway Jams and busking
activities
LMP
kicked off its campaign with Railway Jams,
a series of live music activities in select LRT stations that run from July 4
to 27. Several artist-members from Organisasyon Ng Musikang Pilipino ng mga
Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) performed original material and familiar covers to
entertain commuters from different walks of life. The partnership also
attracted positive reception from the riding public, allowing them to discover
the city’s wealth of music talents and ongoing support for cultural awareness.
As
precursor to LMP’s week-long celebration, several music venues in Metro Manila
also held open mic and busking sessions that promote upcoming homegrown acts
and underrated music finds. It’s also worth noting that Powerplant Mall and Lucky
Chinatown Mall offered their space to mount music shows aimed to serenade
guests while they dine or shop. One performance in particular proved to be a
standout with its world-class musicality: alt-rock and jazz songstress Cooky
Chua collaborated with The Manila String Machine for a soothing but elegantly
produced number that instantly wowed both the crowd and the curious bystanders
in the mall.
Notable showcases
People
braved the rainy season to catch some of the finest performances at the Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino, resulting
into packed venues and much-buzzed highlights on social media.
Veteran
alternative rock icon Rizal Underground reunited for a one-night only concert
at the ‘70s Bistro on the opening week of the LMP. The ‘90s hitmakers churned
out their signature anthems “Bilanggo,” “Diskaril,” “Sabado Nights,” to name a
few, and was joined by Eddie Siojo on Betrayed’s punk classic “Never Meant To
Be This Way.”
More
music fans joined the music soiree at the Batang ‘90s showcase in Historia Bar
on July 31. They were in for a treat as perennial favorites Barbie Almalbis,
Dong Abay, Wency Cornejo, and Color It Red delivered engaging performances that
include their past hits and new material.
Rak
of Aegis, the acclaimed Pinoy musical also made a glorious comeback with a
sold-out, two-day run at the Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino. With Rappler praising
the latest iteration for its “abundance of exuberance and joy in the delivery,”
and for remaining truthful to its source material, the Barangay Venezia gang
took the Aegis back catalog to roof-raising highs with yet another round of
awesome song numbers and top-caliber acting.
Launch Parade
Aside
from ringing the nostalgia dial, the Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino hosted several
single, music video and album launches of established and independent local
music acts from different parts of the country. The special showcase includes
Bulacan indie-pop outfit Blind Stereo Moon, which premiered the music video of
their single “Bulalakaw” at the ‘70s Bistro; husband-and-wide tandem A Couple
of Notes, which launched their latest single “Sa Piling Mo” at Jess and Pats;
and singer-songwriter Benedict Sy and alt-pop collective Approaching Zero,
which held their single release party at World’s End and Upperhouse BGC,
respectively.
PhilPop
2018 Grand Winner Chud Festejo from Davao City also debuted his newest EP, Laro
Laro at Route 196, while PhilPop 2018 runner-up Ferdinand Aragan debuted his
latest independently released single” Dinamalayan” on the same venue and date.
Both artists raised the bar in terms of live performance and output, coming to
terms with their newfound success and evolving as musicians with a more honed
perspective in career and songwriting style.
A Memorable Closer
Linggo
Ng Musikang Pilipino capped off this year’s run with a well-applauded ensemble
performance at ABS-CBN’s longest running Sunday variety show, ASAP Natin ‘To. OPM members Bea Lorenzo,
Ferdinand Aragon, and Bayang Barrios, were joined by mainstays Regine
Velasquez, Inigo Pascual and JM de Guzman on putting a contemporary spin on
smash Pinoy hits from the previous decades.
With
a well-curated music program and a bigger fifth year run, Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino is poised to become a staple
multi-genre festival with longer staying power and undeniable impact. Here’s
hoping for more years of support and love.
LMP
is also brought to you by Light Rail Manila Corporation, Ikot MNL, Philippine
Educational Theater Association (PETA), Power Plant Mall, PhilPop, and other
digital, bars and other production partners.
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