How Coke Studio is Helping Shape Today’s OPM Industry
Sep 13, 2019 • Meryl Medel
Sep 13, 2019 • Meryl Medel
Since its inception two years ago, Coke Studio has played a big role in shaping the local music industry today. A musical show aiming to promote Original Pilipino Music, Coke Studio brings OPM back into the spotlight through their support of Filipino artists, both legends and rising stars, giving them a platform where they can showcase their world-class talents.
It can’t be denied that Coke Studio has done much to promote OPM and Filipino artists, and now that the show is on its third season, Pinoys are seeing the results of Coke Studio’s efforts more than ever.
While there have been many local television shows promoting music, there has been barely, if at all, any that results in the production of new music like Coke Studio is doing now. In addition to allowing artists to promote their music, Coke Studio is a platform that brings together established and upcoming artists alike to create new sounds fit for the tastes of Pinoy music lovers.
Al James
Janine Teñoso
A generation of younger musicians have emerged in recent years, bringing with them new sounds and allowing the local music scene to grow even more. Coke Studio carefully handpicks their featured artists, half of which are rising stars ready to change the game in the OPM industry. For the first season, Coke Studio had upcoming artists like The Ransom Collective and BP Valenzuela, while the second season saw artists such as Ben&Ben and IV of Spades joining the roster.
Morissette
Clara Benin
Of course, Coke Studio couldn’t not invite Pinoy music legends to the show. Established artists such as Noel Cabangon and Eraserheads’ Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala have already graced the first season, and we’re left wanting for more.
But the show does not simply let the artists perform their songs like the common format of most music shows. What Coke Studio does is pairing up the rising stars and legends together and having them cover the other’s songs. Established musicians would give new songs their more familiar feel, while upcoming artists would give their own modern twists to classics we all know and love.
St. Wolf
Silent Sanctuary
Beyond simply making covers of the other musicians, the Coke Studio artists will come together to collaborate and create an original composition that brings together different genres, young and seasoned, mainstream and indie.
And it seems we’re even getting mash-ups . . . Can you already imagine how Iñigo Pascual and Ron Henley would sound together? (The pair is the first up for Season 3 this Saturday!) We’re ready. Give us all these new music!
Along with the new platform comes a wider reach of audience for OPM and the artists themselves. The theme of each season further broadens the reach of Coke Studio’s music.
Pinoys, especially teens, used to be shy about sharing their feelings, no matter what it is, to others. Coke Studio: MyFeels is here to turn the tables. It’s time to celebrate feels and make it known that no one can dictate the validity of feelings.
While last year’s Homecoming theme focused on the backstories of the participating artists, this year’s MyFeels theme involves superfans telling their own stories to the artists, after which, the artists will collaborate on an original song inspired by their fans’ personal narratives and their own experiences, relating all the feels to a teen’s own journey growing up in today’s world; the joys, pressures and expectations that they encounter as part of Gen Z.
UDD
Lola Amour
In addition to this year’s superfans joining the artists in the show, Coke Studio also provides several venues for artists and their fans to come together and celebrate their love for OPM. This season opened with the Coke Studio Music Festival last August 23 at the Circuit Makati with hosts from the Summer Concert Ylona Garcia and Justin Quirino.
And before the year ends, Coke Studio will hold a Christmas concert, featuring most of the artist line-up, to cap off season 3. Please reserve our tickets already!
Brisom
Bea Lorenzo
While most music festivals charge hefty fees that would just make our bank accounts cry, Coke Studio Music Festival was absolutely free! The show goes out of its way to make everything accessible for the audience; we just have to go to wherever the show is. Again, can I ask if we can reserve our tickets already?
But the show even thought to eliminate that issue by doing roadshows, which will visit schools in Manila and the provinces throughout the season. This gives everyone a chance to see the Coke Studio artists up close and for free! Games, booths, and other surprises will also be set-up so more people can taste the sounds of Pinoy music.
This Band
Just Hush
Sarah Geronimo
At the root of it all, Coke Studio highlights how deeply embedded music is in our lives as Pinoys. When asked what music is to her, pop royalty Sarah Geronimo described music as the “language of the soul,” and she added, “Music kasi is very powerful. It can move you. It can touch your heart. It can heal you and sometimes break you. So it’s an experience that you yourself choose.”
And more than just being your own experience, music is a universal language that connects us to one another. “Kung wala kayo rito, wala rin kami dito,” December Avenue told the roaring crowd at this year’s Coke Studio Music Festival.
Music unites Pinoys together in an easy, seamless way, letting us feel the rhythm and hear our feelings.
Tune in and listen to the sounds of Inigo Pascual, This Band, Brisom, Janine Tenoso, Al James, Silent Sanctuary, Bea Lorenzo, St. Wolf, Ron Henley, Morissette, Lola Amour, Clara Benin, Just Hush, UDD, and Sarah Geronimo, as Coke Studio premieres this September 14, 2019 on ABS-CBN at 10 AM and via YouTube.
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