The Gigs: Where To Catch Your Favorite OPM Bands (v. 2024, Part 2 of 2)

03/30/2024 04:15:43 PM

I first wrote The Gigs as part of the music issue of the Philippine Panorama (Yes, the Sunday magazine of Manila Bulletin) back in February 2018, wherein I featured some of the places which houses live music scene. Add to that is how and why online is also the place to be if one looks for sources of new music.

Fast-forward to 2024: It has been two years since the time the Manila gig scene resurfaced for good. The months of February and March were the times when music events had its full-blown resurrection for good after being halted by another wave of community quarantine at the start of the year 2022. Some of us have to understand that this was an era of a convergence of the new normal and returning norms as some of our beloved venues closed, a bunch of personalities we know passed away (be it due to COVID or not), and everything noisy has mostly been made virtually. As we know it, the shutdown has put us in uncertainty; but eventually, we found our way back to hum tunes with our voices and instruments. 

In 2022, we may have been walloping over the closure of Upperhouse, Conspiracy Garden Cafe and Route 196 (along with other shops and restaurants in various business fields that we didn't have chances to bade farewell), but new houses emerged to serve live music and all the merrymaking we barely missed that two-year stretch, and that was something we discussed a while ago.

For more of The Gigs, we shed the spotlight on the other names which probably rang the bell, also made their respective returns – although, in different locations. Add to that are the reopening of the venues that remained alive and kicking up to this day.

The Gigs: Where To Catch Your Favorite OPM Bands (v. 2024, Part 1 of 2)

03/26/2024 02:45:19 PM

I first wrote The Gigs as part of the music issue of the Philippine Panorama (Yes, the Sunday magazine of Manila Bulletin) back in February 2018, wherein I featured some of the places which houses live music scene. Add to that is how and why online is also the place to be if one looks for sources of new music.

Fast-forward to 2024: It has been two years since the time the Manila gig scene resurfaced for good. The months of February and March were the times when music events had its full-blown resurrection for good after being halted by another wave of community quarantine at the start of the year 2022. Some of us have to understand that this was an era of a convergence of the new normal and returning norms as some of our beloved venues closed, a bunch of personalities we know passed away (be it due to COVID or not), and everything noisy has mostly been made virtually. As we know it, the shutdown has put us in uncertainty; but eventually, we found our way back to hum tunes with our voices and instruments. 

In 2022, we may have been walloping over the closure of Upperhouse, Conspiracy Garden Cafe and Route 196 (along with other shops and restaurants in various business fields that we didn't have chances to bade farewell), but new houses emerged to serve live music and all the merrymaking we barely missed that two-year stretch. Not to mention, other names which probably rang the bell, also made their respective returns (NOKAL, 123 Block and 12 Monkeys, to name a couple of them) – although, in different locations. 

Add to that are the reopening of the venues that remained alive and kicking up to this day like saGuijo, Mow's, Social House, 19 East, and The 70's Bistro – but we'll talk more of that later on as we now take a look at some of the newest places to hang around and watch live our favorite music bands rock the night away.

Newsletter: World of Frozen, the World’s First and Largest “Frozen” themed land, will Open its Gates on November 20 at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

On November 20, the highly anticipated, world’s first and largest “Frozen” themed land, World of Frozen, will open its gates at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ films, “Frozen” and “Frozen 2,” which are among the biggest animated films of all time, World of Frozen will transport guests to the cinematic and living land - Arendelle. Guests will delve into this immersive travel destination, with its captivating stories, beloved characters, culture, stunning landscapes, enchanting music, and cutting-edge technology for the first time in forever by celebrating Summer Snow Day and enjoying fun-filled attractions such as Frozen Ever After and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. 

Marikina City, the Beasts of Live Music in the East

06/26/2023 12:10:02 PM

Since the resumption of the world back into normalcy, the events industry has experienced a sort of resurgence – or a rebirth, if some may say. Although, unfortunately, some of our favorite places have closed shop for us live music lovers, 2022 (or even as early as late 2021) saw an opening for some venues around the Metro.

Before the sudden shutdown, Novaliches slowly made their way for all the music and merry making the Northern people badly craved. Pasig and even Taytay in Rizal province also joined the budding trend of staging music halls. And no, this isn't biased because I was a Marikina resident since birth.

The year 2022, though, saw the emergence of Marikina City in setting up its network of places that would cater to those who clamor for live music. 

StopOver: Unknown13 Pub

06/16/2023 05:01:01 PM

Everyone knows I live near Katipunan, so that said – and as a music lover – Route 196 was one of the places that immediately rang a bell to me. Unfortunately, the pandemic made them close shop, igniting the untimely demise of live music in the area for a few years. 

The Liwa Experience

10/20/2022 06:17:06 PM

There are some points in your life wherein you realize that you want to get out of the hustles and bustles of the city. A few years ago, my then-partner would take me to places totally out of my spectrum. Fast forward to the present day, and although I have been in a different phase now compared to 2019, I seem to find solace in this laid-back beach strip at the Westernmost part of Luzon Island.

Newsletter: CENTRAL BEACH BAZAAR AT SENTOSA TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE] 

Singapore, 14 July 2022 – In a media event held today, Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG) unveiled

Central Beach Bazaar, a day-to-night carnival beach experience slated to open in September 2022. 

Poised to be the ultimate beachside destination that will invigorate the senses for visitors of all ages,  Central Beach Bazaar will introduce three new attractions and a new multi-F&B concept, including the 

80-metre high Sentosa SkyJet, the tallest fountain in Southeast Asia. 

Cowrie Grill reopens and celebrates its 8th anniversary with a gift voucher promo!

10/16/2021 01:28:22 AM

Cowrie Grill not only opens its doors to diners once again. The Manila Hotel’s signature grillery also celebrates its eighth year with its “8 and Great” promo for its avid customers and those who have yet to discover what it offers.

The Medical City South Luzon Complex of Hope celebrates 1st anniversary

05/18/2021 10:05:25 PM

The Medical City South Luzon Complex of Hope has turned one year old and it still keeps the hope alive amidst the pandemic.

Jack Daniel's lights up the Holiday Barrel Tree in BGC

11/19/2019 11:10:40 AM

Once again, the Lynchburg-based tradition has illuminated in one of the elite hubs of the Metro, BGC.

StopOver: Mow's Bar

01/07/2019 07:18:15 PM

There's always a reason why Quezon City was called The City of The Stars, and we don't talk celebrities and their home networks situated within this area. The place has a lot of entertainment districts to offer – with some of them making lights by the dimmed hours of the night. QC has been the home to some of best gig venues in the metro such as Route 196, Sessions, and the iconic '70s Bistro.

However, one of the fast-rising (and evolving) music and hangout places in the metro is also situated at Quezon City – just nearby the popular Maginhawa eat strip. In fact, it's on the basement floor of the classic Kowloon House restaurant.

Makati's Festival of Lights gets a magical touch from Disney!

01/05/2019 11:08:27 PM

It is undeniable that some of the biggest places this Christmas season are theme parks showcasing magnificent icons and displays; attracting the general public to lurk around and serving as an alternative to the usual malls and other hangout spots around the metropolitan.

COD: The Return of the Comeback

12/20/2018 04:23:12 PM

It's 2018, you have been living away from your home for almost two decades; and all of a sudden, you waged a comeback in a snap – and just in time for Christmas.

StopOver: saGuijo

05/01/2018 05:39:01 PM

You're not a gig goer in Metro Manila today if you haven't even heard of the word saGuijo. Or rather, if you have not paid them a visit yet.

StopOver: 19 East

04/15/2017 07:55:10 PM

Undeniably one of the best night out spots in the nation's capitol, 19 East isn't been placed there for nothing. 

StopOver: Regina Rica

04/13/2017 07:33:06 PM 

From the mountains of Tanay lies a religious compound that is a surely-visited by many by the Holy Week.

StopOver: Route 196

10/25/2016 03:18:38 PM

When I first stormed by the indie music scene, this bar in the upper-terrain Blue Ridge was my first place-to-be. And why not? From my residence, it was just a mere 20-minute walk for me to reach there, unless I am lazy enough.

Established in 2006, Route 196 is tagged by many as the premier live music venue in the Northern side of Metropolitan. Located at just beside one the main gates of Blue Ridge Subdivision, it was barely accessible for every music lover, especially if a resident within the vicinity of Marikina-Project 4-Xavierville or studying at the Northern version of U-belt (UP and Ateneo).

StopOver: Angono Lakeside Park

4/21/2016 10:17:11 PM

Sometimes, you don’t have to go a hundred or thousand miles away from Manila to see places which are truly beautiful and worth the effort. All you need is to traverse the roads at the nearby provinces, look around, and when you get there, simply appreciate them.

Such as this case when yours truly along with my partner Maxim, stormed by the near-eastern side of Rizal province and witness the beauty of Laguna de Bay at the Lakeside Park.