Music: Fearless forecast for 2014 according to six industry shakers

2014 is looking to be an especially huge year for the music scene. Many have credited the 7107 International Music Festival, happening in February, for reinvigorating the scene. Finally, big-ass names like the Red Hot Chili Peppers are making a pitstop in the Philippines! Coconuts Manila spoke with the movers and shakers of the Philippine music industry for what music lovers can expect next year. 

Mike Pio Roda, Co-Founder and Producer of the 7107 International Music Festival
“We’re definitely looking forward to a comeback of ’90s music, inclined toward hiphop and social-conscience music, and of course, a large drive-in live events and musical festivals. The local production houses have always been able to bring in heavy hitters to the scene [but I guess for us] we want to create a truly global festival experience for people to take home. I think we’ll see a lot more smaller bands jumping on-board with festivals trying to get more and more exposure on these festival tours. I’d like to see an Eraserheads reunion. We’ve been reviewing countless band applications locally [for the 7107IMF] and I’m hard-pressed to mention and single out anyone specifically. There’s a lot of really great talents here in the Philippines and I see the country’s music scene only getting more global from here on out.”

Joff Cruz, Kindassault.com
“Lots of indie bands are going to come in. The year should be a fun season for live concerts. It seems like the concert scene will be changing up a bit. As for local artists, I haven’t been in touch with them lately, to be honest, but Eyedress has been making huge waves, and Similar Objects shouldn’t be too far behind. I think more electronic and hip hop acts will be making their way here in the coming years. It’s a good thing and I hope that that scene will start to thrive.”

Jasmin Gidwani-Cabrera, Splintr.com
“The whole Splintr.com group thinks the music scene can go either way. We are, of course, always hoping that finally, the really dedicated, talented local artists get the credit and exposure they are due. It’s about time local real talent get their real due. We can talk this topic to death but I think you and I both know what is what. Locally, we’re definitely looking at Chocolate Grass and Wilderness. Ourselves The Elves is another favorite band of ours and they’re young so they have a bright future ahead of them. Halik Ni Gringo is coming out with an album next year, we think. We can’t tell you yet which international acts we’re looking to bring in [laughs], but always it is with the mind to expose local artists in the process. We are, after all, the first to push and start having local acts as front acts for foreign concerts (remember when Pupil fronted for NIN in 2009) and look how others followed suit! 

Toti Dalmacion, Terno Recordings
“I see more of the big pop names being brought in and even the smaller niche artists (whose names are hyped in social media circles) as concert promotion of foreign artists and festivals are much in vogue. It’s like 1999 again where every Tom, Dick & Harry as well as the corporate entities jumped in on doing raves and club DJ-led events. I’ll probably join the fray at some point, but as it is with Terno’s vision, the acts I’m looking forward to bringing in or might bring in are not necessarily the most well known or popular money making names or Pitchfork’s top 50. Whatever tickles my fancy. I can’t really divulge now, sorry, but they’re definitely of quality and substance.” 

Cris Ramos, Music Editor, Pulp magazine
I think that more and more indie acts will break through in 2014. Judging by how things move in cycles, the breaks will be going the indie artists’ way starting 2014. Let’s see how the new festivals in 2014 will pan out. People have been wishing for festivals these last few years but a lot of them don’t push through once the reality of costs hits them. There will definitely be more business, yes, but I think, we’re still on baby steps mode. As for Pulp, we are excited with our 8123 Tour featuring The Maine, This Century, and Nick Santino this January. We’re bringing in Periphery in Feb; Megadeth and Mayday parade in March. Of course, there’s the annual Pulp Summer Slam 14 in April with Asking Alexandria, Bullet for my Valentine, Hatebreed, Kreator, Death Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder and Crossfaith this April. Sometime between August and September, we will have Bazooka Rocks 3. Please check out www.pulpliveworld.com and www.pulpmagazinelive.com for updates.

“I’m looking forward to Terno acts like Skymarines and Yolanda Moon, who are currently getting into the position where they could get in the same level as [another Terno outfit] Up Dharma Down. Have you heard The Valiant Vermin? She’s underage, but as an artist and performer, age doesn’t matter. She’s great, period. Ourselves the Elves, Earthmover, Flying Ipis….lots of great new bands coming out!” 

Jason Caballa, associate editor, Pinoytuner.com
I’m not really in the habit of predicting things like this, but for as long as there are artists and bands still making music and releasing them in one way or another, we’ll be fine. I do hope the old-school people running radio stations and record labels retire and relinquish their jobs to younger people who know better, though. Also, more vinyl.”

This story first appeared in Coconuts Manila, your source for hyperlocal news and features about Metro Manila.

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