From the first-timers to the veterans, all across different genres, it was a rollercoaster of a month for the Monsters tuned in to the Concert Series this October!
THE HOT DEBUTS
G22
Dubbed as “P-Pop’s Female Alphas,” G22 is a girl group composed of members AJ, Alfea, and Jaz. They made their official debut last February 2022 with their single ‘BANG!’.
This isn’t G22’s first time in the Monster studio as we’ve chatted with them on All Out, but it is their debut performance on the Concert Series! Additionally, this is also their first time back as a three-piece act, with former member Bianca leaving the group in September due to personal and family matters. “We truly respect her decision, and we love her so much. She will remain [as a part of] our journey,” leader AJ says.
Despite this big change, though, G22 shows no sign of slowing down as they continue to make their own mark in the P-Pop scene. “Everything feels so fast because P-Pop is really rising so [quickly] thanks to our seniors, and we’re just so glad, so happy to be part of that wave,” says AJ. Jaz adds: “Since the last time we’ve been here, we’ve witnessed some new groups, which is amazing to see.” Just like what G22 sings on their track ‘Boomerang’ — “this is not a competition, but a revolution.” P-Pop rise!
AJ, Jaz, and Alfea showed off their powerful vocals and sweet harmonies for the entirety of their set, but the Monster would like to highlight their finale song, as the girls shared it’s their special message for their fans. “With the recent happenings with us, this is a message to our Bullets that we will still fight... We will not give up, we will continue to make music for you guys. We will magnify their love and their inspiration to make us keep going.”
We’re rooting for you, G22! The Monster and your Bullets are looking forward to the rest of your musical journey.
Monster Must-Listen Tracks from G22: Musika, BANG!
G22’S Concert Series setlist:
1. BANG!
2. Babalik
3. Boomerang
4. Levitating (Cover)
5. Defy
6. Musika
Watch their full Concert Series set + interview:
ARTHUR MIGUEL
If you spend a significant amount of time scrolling through TikTok (like us), then you’ve heard of this artist for sure. While he started with covers on YouTube, Arthur Miguel has paved the music scene with beautiful tracks that not only top the charts, but also make the rounds on our favorite clock app!
What some people might not know, though, is that Arthur originally started as a cover artist on YouTube. Asked about his experience transitioning to writing and performing his own songs, he shares: “Syempre happy, hindi [ako] makapaniwala. Kasi, I mean, as a cover artist, hindi ko in-expect na mag-u-upgrade ako to artist na talaga. Ang goal ko as an artist is ‘yung audience, ‘yung mga nakikinig sa akin, ay maka-relate sila sa stories ng songs ko.”
For his debut performance on the Concert Series, one of the songs he treated the Monsters with was a live performance of his latest single ‘Lihim,’ a ballad that fuels a hopeless romantic’s biggest fantasy: to receive a confession of love under the beautiful glow of the moonlight. It has also inspired a TikTok trend you might have seen going around – “Sasayaw Sa Kulog At Ulan” features clips of couples dancing in the rain, ranging from everyday couples, fan edits of celebrity and fictional pairs, and even single people looking for someone to dance with them. Sweet, right?
The Monster is definitely looking forward to more heart-warming songs from this rising singer-songwriter!
Monster Must-Listen Tracks from ARTHUR MIGUEL: Lihim, Your Universe
ARTHUR MIGUEL’S Concert Series setlist:
1. Pasahili (para sa hindi pinili)
2. Dito, Sa Ilalim ng Buwan
3. Your Universe (Cover)
4. Ang Wakas
5. Lihim
6. PAANO?
Watch his full Concert Series set + interview:
THE RETURNING FAVORITES
DANIEL PARINGIT
Daniel Paringit is an indie pop artist known for his fresh yet powerful voice and splendid guitar playing. If his name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he’s been making waves in the music industry for a while — formerly the frontman of a band that started during his university days, he debuted as a solo artist in February 2023.
This is his second time in the Monster booth this year, previously performing his debut single ‘Walang Hangganan.’ This time, he banners ‘’Wag Kang Ganyan,’ an anthem for victims of the “ghosting” phenomenon in modern relationships. He actually wrote it inspired by what happened to one of the members of his tech crew – which he says is a little more challenging than writing from personal experience. “Mas marami kang gustong sabihin kapag ikaw ‘yung nasaktan eh,” Daniel shares.
Sound-wise, Daniel is heavily inspired by his bandmates. “Sobrang grateful ko na kami ‘yung magkakasama ngayon. Kapag nasa studio kami, ang effortless ng lahat,’ he says. And it definitely shows in their performance! The melodies are smooth and perfectly carry the universal emotions that Daniel’s lyrics have, and most of all, you can tell they’re all having a great time playing together.
And what’s next for this rising singer-songwriter? Daniel hopes it’s a full album. “Feeling ko kung gagawa ako ng album next year, gusto ko something new talaga. Walang tracks na nalabas na.” The Monster is definitely seated for that! But ‘til then, we’ll be jamming to his amazing singles!
Monster Must-Listen Tracks from DANIEL PARINGIT: ‘Wag Kang Ganyan, Sayo (Heto Na Naman)
DANIEL PARINGIT’s Concert Series setlist:
1. Kunwari
2. Walang Hangganan
3. ‘Wag Kang Ganyan
4. Pahinga
5. Sayo
6. Palayain
Watch his full Concert Series set + interview:
LEANNE & NAARA
If you’re an OG Leanne & Naara stan, you’d know that this was not their first Concert Series rodeo! The Monster is a proud witness to this amazing duo’s growth, with the two gracing our studio during their early days until now when they’ve achieved so much success. Our charts are a testament to this — Leanne & Naara actually hold the record for having FOUR number 1 songs on the Countdown Top 7!
The pair is considered as one of the most decorated contemporary acts today, especially after they dominated the 2021 and 2022 Awit Awards and snagged the highly-coveted Record of the Year and Album of the Year awards. Truly well-deserved as the music they make just hit different. Perhaps you can actually hear their next-level musical chemistry in them!
“She’s so good at making harmonies, she’s better than me,” Leanne proudly says about Naara, sharing that she even learns from her. Naara responds: “And she taught me how to do adlibs ‘cause that’s her forte.” See, a complementary match made in musical heaven! One we’re thankful for as Leanne & Naara continue to bless us with tracks with soothing melodies, powerful lyrics, and smooth vocal blending.
Their latest single and one of the songs they sing in their set may be entitled ‘’Di Na Babalik,’ but we’re glad that this powerful duo made their way back to the Concert Series stage. ‘Til the next one, girls!
Monster Must-Listen Tracks from LEANNE & NAARA: ‘Di Na Babalik, Choose You
LEANNE & NAARA’S Concert Series setlist:
1. Anticipation
2. Choose You
3. The One
4. Prayers
5. Di Na Babalik
6. Unan
Watch their full Concert Series set + interview:
READ: Leanne and Naara being the ultimate soul sisters, both in life and music
THE GRAND REUNION
TEETH
‘Beer’ may be the youngins’ drinking anthem these days, but for the 90’s kids, it’s definitely ‘Laklak’ by Teeth.
Formed in 1993, Teeth is one of the icons of 90’s OPM rock, going mainstream with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1995. The band is currently composed of Glenn Jacinto on vocals, Jerome Velasco on guitars, Pedz Narvaja on bass, Mike Dizon on drums, and Dok Sergio on guitars.
As they celebrate their 30th year in the industry, Teeth is set to perform at Play4Serve this December 15, alongside a powerhouse lineup featuring Pedicab, Sandwich, Imago, PartyPace, Spacedog Spacecat, The Diegos, and Beetoven. The show is a culmination of their months playing gigs all over the country, treating their fans to this long-awaited reunion.
It was the Monster’s honor to have these legends reunite and perform for the Concert Series to kick start October. We were, are, and will always be rocking with you, Teeth!
Monster Must-Listen Tracks from TEETH: Laklak, Baga at Usok, Time Machine
TEETH’S Concert Series setlist:
1. Princesa
2. Sorry
3. Darating
4. Baga at Usok
5. Time Machine
6. Shooting Star
Watch their full Concert Series set + interview:
READ: A staple in 90s Filipino rock: TEETH continues to rock and roll in present time