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.