Bamboo, Ely Buendia first time together in ‘silent concert’

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a concert like no other. Two Pinoy rock icons are sharing the stage for the first time in a unique live music event presented by electronics giant Sony.

MDR Live features Bamboo and Ely Buendia enclosed in a soundproof glass booth. In order to hear the music, audiences must plug their MDR headphones to one of the available amplifiers, which will be stationed all across the venue. The amplifiers will directly connect to the music that Ely and Bamboo will create for the night.

This one-of-a-kind event happens 8 pm on Thursday, May 8, at the Rockwell Tent.

Bamboo, of course, first gained fame as a founding member of the band Rivermaya, whose hits include “Ulan,” “214,” “Kisapmata,” and “Himala.” He later left the group to seek out a life in the United States.

The singer-songwriter then returned to the Philippines, where he regrouped with old cohort Nathan Azarcon and formed the band that carried his name alongside Vic Mercado and Ira Cruz. Bamboo the band released 4 critically acclaimed albums and became a strong force in the OPM rock scene in the late 2000s, churning out hits like “Noypi,” “Much Has Been Said,” and “Hallelujah.”

Today, Bamboo is a solo artist, having released his debut solo album No Water, No Moon under PolyEast Records. He has also gained wider fame and attention as a coach on the local production of popular talent show The Voice on ABS-CBN.

Ely Buendia needs no introduction. As vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the seminal group the Eraserheads, Ely has assured for himself a place in the pantheon of Pinoy rock royalty. After the dissolution of the band in 2002, Ely has remained a staple in the music scene through his other groups, including The Mongols and Pupil, and, most recently, with blues rock group The Oktaves. He has recently dabbled in filmmaking, directing a segment in the film Bang Bang Alley.

Although both are familiar names in the local music scene, MDR Live marks the first time the two are performing together in one show. Both are brand ambassadors of the Sony MDR headphones. – Rappler.com

Paul John Caña is the managing editor of Lifestyle Asia magazine and is a live music geek. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @pauljohncana