Cinematic pop rock band LILY may have come back to the Concert Series stage with a new name, but they sure brought the same electric energy and amazing music the band is known and well-loved for!

Originally formed in 2005, the band is currently composed of Lem Belaro, Aaron Ricafrente, Nathan Reyes, Alden Acosta, and Joshua Bulot - the band’s new vocalist since Kean Cipriano’s surprise departure in 2022. Cipriano has since spoken about the reasons behind his “disengagement” from Callalily, taking the trademarked name with him, but what’s the story from the point of view of the band’s remaining members?

“Actually nagulat kami ni Aaron, kasi parang nag-email siya na parang he wants to hang the jersey na,” Lem said. “Sabi ko, ang ganda na ng career natin ah, ang ayos… anong nangyari? Pero sabi ko, magtutuloy ako… hindi tayo hihinto, magtutuloy tayo kahit [kaming] dalawa lang [ni Aaron].”

Meanwhile, Aaron shares their point of view on the issue surrounding the band’s name: “I asked him [kung paano] ‘yung name. Then ‘yung sinabi niya, ‘yung kontrata na.” Cipriano claimed that he owns the trademark to the Calalilly band name, which the remaining members refuted at the time, but they have since decided to rename to start anew.

Lily, the flower, actually means rebirth - something that definitely fits the band’s unique situation. The change brought about not only a fresh new voice in Josh Bulot, former JBK member and Rak of Aegis musical cast, but also the return of Alden, the band’s OG lead guitarist who left in 2010.

So after all that they’ve been through, what keeps the band going? LILY’s answer is simple: Good music. 

“Kahit tumanda na kami, tutugtog pa rin kami. Kahit 80 years old na kami, [mag-aayaan pa rin kami na] uy, jam tayo!”

And we couldn’t be more grateful to the band for doing so: from keeping iconic tracks such as ‘Magbalik’ alive, to putting out amazing new tracks such as ‘Tulak’ and ‘Sinayang’ — all of which they performed live in the Monster booth!

Watch LILY’s full set and interview here: