The year in music

Foreign acts like Coldplay and Olivia Rodrigo filled up the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan in 2024, but what does that mean for local musicians?

The Philippine Arena can seat 55,000 people, acknowledged as the biggest indoor multi-purpose venue in the world today. This got us thinking that our Pinoy music-makers may not be doing as well since no Pinoy solo singer had staged a concert at the massive Philippine Arena this 2024.

But music journalists in the country assert that in 2024, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) had “come into its own in all its forms and various styles of sound.” 

Pinoy hits

The music website Billboard Philippines has collected the highest-charting Filipino songs of 2024 and these include “the most era-defining local music to come out” this year. 

Throughout the year, according to the website, “we had chart-toppers ranging from Maki’s all-conquering “Dilaw” to Dionela’s wave of smash hits — “Sining” and “Marilag.” The report also stressed that” “Palagi” of real-life couple TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan “reigned supreme... with a heartwarming and sincere ode to love and commitment.” 

P-pop boom

In 2024, P-pop also had its boom, as BINI spun the chart on its head. With their viral summer anthem, “Pantropiko,” the girl group made history as the first-ever P-pop act to top the Billboard Philippines’ Top Philippine Chart since its inception. 

BINI is also reported in 2024 as the first ever Pinoy music idols to stage in November a three-day sold-out concert at the big venue Smart Araneta Coliseum, which has a full seating capacity of 9,679 for a concert (and 15,000 for non-concert events that do not require an extensive stage). Actually, the third night had to be moved to another day due to a storm. It couldn’t be canceled because that third day was already sold out, just like the first two. 

Gary V

BINI was not the only one who scored big in the concert scene. Gary Valenciano had all tickets sold out for two nights at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, which can seat 20,000 for a concert (but only 15,000 for a sports event). The Pure Energy: One Last Time concert series, performed at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) in April 2024, was a historic event culminating Gary’s 40th year in the industry. The event was extended to a third night on 10 May owing to overwhelming demand for Valenciano’s ageless hits and unrivaled stage presence.

His three-hour performance without a single break demonstrated his enduring stamina and real connection with his audience, notwithstanding his medical challenges. The concert earned him the prestigious Legacy Award from PeopleAsia Magazine’s Men Who Matter 2024, which was the first time an individual received the award.

Valenciano did a repeat for two nights this December. The first night had to be shortened for health reasons. The second night had to have a severely changed repertoire and staging so as not to compromise his wellbeing. 

Concert venues

Juan Karlos had the MoA Arena in SRO mode. So did December Avenue and Ben&Ben. Arthur Nery was at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. So was SB19.

Katrina Velarde packed the New Frontier Theater. So did newcomer Maki.

Even long-established idols like Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Randy Santiago, Pops Fernandez, Raymond Lauchengco and Mark Bautista had great turns on stage, including those at casino-resort hotels like Solaire and Resorts World with very pricey tickets due to their smaller seating capacity. 

There were concerts, too, by visiting expatriate singer-composers Odette Quesada and Cecille Azarcon. Even Jose Mari Chan joined some group concerts at the new and very posh Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati with Christian Bautista, Rachel Alejandro and Roselle Nava. Chan has been refusing to record new compositions since he does not relish earning so little from the digital outlets.

Most downloaded

As for more digital hits, here according to Billboard Philippines are the most downloaded, the most streamed, the most performed and most listened to songs in 2024. There are new names like the reclusive hip-hop idol from Morato, Hev Abi and familiar ones like Up Dharma Down whose “Tadhana” has been in the top rungs of hits lists for almost a decade. 

“Palagi” by real-life couple TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan; “Dilaw” by Maki; “Pantropiko” by BINI, “Salamin, Salamin,” also by BINI; “Sining” by Dionela ft. Jay-R; “Walang Alam” by Hev Abi; “Babaero” by gins&melodies ft. Hev Abi; “Alam Mo Ba Girl,” again by Hev Abi; “Tingin” by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; “Take All the Love” by Arthur Nery; “Makasarili, Malambing” by Kristina Dawn and Hev Abi; “Tadhana” by Up Dharma Down; “Karera” by BINI.

“Saan?” by Maki; “Lil Kasalanan Shortie” by Hev Abi; “Miss Miss” by Rob Daniel; “Mahika” by Adie and Janine Berdin; “Get Low” by OSIDE MAFIA BRGR; “Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown)” by Orange and Lemons; “YK” by Cean Jr.; “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay” by Ben&Ben; “Ikaw Lang” by Nobita; “Romcom,” also by Rob DanieI; “Unti-unti” by UDD; and “Marikit sa Dilim” by Juan Caoile, Kylewash and Jawz.