As Cup of Joe holds stadium fest, they gain more self-confidence

May 25 ------ Cup of Joe might’ve reached new heights in the music industry, but staging their first stadium show brings a good kind of pressure, especially since it’s meant to express their gratitude to those who supported them along the way.

The five-piece band — composed of Gab Fernandez, Gian Bernardino, Rapha Ridao, CJ Fernandez, and Xen Gareza — will hold their “SANDALI: The Cup of Joe Fest” at the Philippine Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 23. Making special appearances are Bamboo, Ely Buendia, and Kamikazee.

“‘Sandali’ is ‘yung pinakavibe niya is a music fest. Compared sa mga previous concerts namin, may specific na structure, theme, and story na sinusunod namin. Ngayon, focused siya sa celebratory na theme, kaya para siyang music festival na fun-fun lang,” Fernandez said of the concert.

Bernardino quipped that the concert is like a Basaan Festival of some sort. “Conceptually, it’s a water festival, so magbabasaan talaga, which is pangarap namin. Sana ready ang audience mabasa (Conceptually, it’s a water festival, so the people will get wet. That’s our dream. I hope the audience is ready to get wet).”

Aside from the shift in theme, “Sandali” marks the first time an OPM group will headline the Philippine Sports Stadium. It has often been a venue graced by K-pop acts, and this time it’s a display of how the industry has taken up space since then. “We’re the first OPM act to perform there. So wow, we feel a bit of pressure rin naman (We do feel a bit of pressure), so this concert is not just for us,” Ridao said. “It’s for those who supported us, so we wanted to appreciate the support they’ve given us all these years. We want to make this one of the best festivals out there. I’m pressured, but it’s the good kind of pressure.”

Fans can expect the band’s chart-topping hits and songs from their “Sandali” EP, though Bernardino hinted that there would be solo performances. “Pressure builds diamonds. Individually, kinakabahan kami kasi first time namin ‘yun gagawin (we’re nervous because we’ll be doing this for the first time),” Bernardino said, with his bandmates giggling in excitement. The excitement on their faces was evident, a sign that they had gained the confidence to take risks and set higher standards.

“Sandali,” an EP that Cup of Joe released last May 1, contains five songs: “Pamahiin,” “Kung Payagan,” “Lalayo,” “Isang Daan,” and “Sandali.”

Source: inquirer.net