Pinoy and Singaporean acts featured at Bandwagon Music Market

Bandwagon Asia is a community of music lovers that has its roots in Singapore. Founded in 2011, it’s basically a platform that connects people to live music in the region. In 2015, it set up shop in the Philippines, providing gig schedules, music features, show reviews and other music-related content. It made sense that their first presence outside Singapore is here; Manila has arguably the most vibrant music scene anywhere in the region.

Founder Clarence Chan is a staple presence in live gigs not just in his home country of Singapore but wherever the best concerts in the region are happening. Good-natured and always with an easy smile, Chan founded Bandwagon Asia in his mid-20s. He ought to be proud that the start-up he dreamed up is now present in two countries and continues to gain notices from music venues, artists, promoters and, of course, fans.

But it was only a matter of time before Bandwagon Asia expanded to simply reporting about gigs to staging one themselves. The Music Market is an annual event that showcases not just great music from up-and-coming bands, but also a fun atmosephere filled with art, food, games and retail items. The event has been staged in Singapore for the past few years but for the first time, Bandwagon Asia is bringing the Music Market to the Philippines.

“Local music has been on a roll the past few years,” says Camille Castillo, Bandwagon country representative for the Philippines. “We’ve carefully curated a line-up which we feel will also represent our country well on the regional level.”

“We have consulted both the Singapore and Philippine teams regarding the line-up,” she adds. “Some of the Filipino artists...have already performed in Singapore. The rest are artists we can help push beyond the Philippines.”

The lineup for the inaugural Bandwagon Music Market in the Philippines includes Oh Flamingo!, Beast Jesus, Toms’s Story, BP Valenzuela, Runway Crimes, Shadow Moses, Bullet Dumas, CRWN, and Eyedress. Joining the Pinoys are Singaporean artists iNCH, and Intriguant.

Not quite a full-on music festival but larger in scope than a regular concert, the Music Market promises a fun day of good live shows with like-minded music fans.

“It has always been Bandwagon's goal to be the premier online music portal for Southeast Asia, and we thought the Philippines was a good start," adds Castillo. "We still have a long way to go of course but we're optimistic about what's to come. The music scene is so vibrant, so alive. There's so much talent." — BM, GMA News

The Bandwagon Music Market happens from 3 p.m. to 12 midnight, on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the PowerMac Center Spotlight, Level 2, Circuit Lane, Circuit Makati. Early bird tickets are at P400 (on sale now until Sept. 23), standard tickets at P550 (from Sept. 24 to Set.p 30), and tickets at the door are at P700. For more information, visit bandwagon.asia.com.

Paul John Caña is a magazine writer and live music geek. Check out his blog manontheotherside.blogspot.com. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana.