KZ is one with 1MX

KZ Tandingan makes her fourth appearance as featured artist in One Music X on Nov. 22 at Centris Elements

One Music X, which is also known as 1MX, has brought Filipino artists and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) to foreign soil, away from their comfort zone.

The international Filipino music festival’s jam-packed editions in Dubai, UAE and Singapore are a testament to Pinoy artists’ global appeal and their chance of breaking into the international market. KZ Tandingan, the festival’s regular fixture, knows all this.

“Regardless of their genre, regardless of their (reach and) following, the (artists) get (the chance to perform in the festival) being staged abroad,” said KZ of 1MX’s impact on the popularity of local artists and the (beyond-borders) showcase of their music in a recent interview. “Since fellow Filipinos (who are based abroad) also invite foreigners and other nationalities, the latter are able to watch the artists live and (experience) their performances. Importante yun na na-expose kami sa ganong crowd kasi hindi mo alam kung sino yung manonood sa’yo, kahit tatlo lang ang manood sa’yo, di mo alam (na maaaring) may isang international producer na makakanood sa’yo at makikita ka (This exposure matters to us since we don’t know who will go out and watch us? Who knows there’s an international producer in the crowd.)”

With that, 1MX is a platform that gives local artists the global edge to be seen. They have to bring their A-game and their music to the next level.   

“Nakakatuwa kasi talagang sobrang buhay na buhay yung local (music) industry natin (It’s really good to know that the local music industry is indeed alive),” said Star Music executive and 1MX creative director Jonathan Manalo, “hindi mo na ito pwedeng sabihing local industry lang (you can’t just consider our industry local)… we are actually being heard all around the world, yung mga artist natin ay napapansin na sa iba’t-ibang parte ng mundo (Filipino artists get noticed by people around the world). Yung industry natin hindi na lang tatawagin na local industry (we will no longer call our music industry local industry), (we call it) the Filipino music industry, which is expanding (its) audiences.” That’s why it is safe to say that Filipino artists wish to participate in 1MX. Its fourth leg will happen on Nov. 22 at Centris Elements. The music fest is finally coming home after its sold-out stagings abroad.     

“Sobrang kong na-appreciate yung effort ng ABS-CBN na i-widen yung audience ng mga Filipino artists (I appreciate the effort of ABS-CBN to widen (expand) the audience of Filipino artists),” said KZ. “We (the artists) are given 100-percent control of everything (like in terms of) creativity in our sets. They (the organizers) never require us (of something) nor (tell us that) ‘You should sing this, you should do this, you can’t do this, you can’t do that. (We are able to showcase) who we are as artists.”

Hands down, KZ is always having fun singing before music festival audiences and looks forward to her next stint at 1MX.

“I really enjoy performing in festivals kasi dun pinaka-(game) yung mga tao, tapos dun sila eager makinig ng music talaga (because people are game and eager to listen to the music),” she said, adding, “mas naiilabas ko yung pagiging artist ko pagdating sa music festivals (Music festivals allow me really bring out the artist in me).”

According to her, the 1MX in Abu Dhabi, UAE is one of the unforgettable fests KZ has attended. It’s one for the books since the featured artists and the audiences were feeding off each other’s energy. The enthusiasm of the crowd and the love for music were strong. She implied that the more people embrace her performance, the more KZ gets inspired to give her best. It boosts her energy. She and her audiences are up for some magical moments.

“Marami po, lalo na nung after ng China, kapag nag-a-announce kami ng 1MX, na-excite yung iba’t-ibang lahi na pumunta, yung ibang fans (It has done a lot, particularly after my (Singer 2018 participation in China. When we announce an upcoming 1MX, we are able to generate reactions from excited foreign and local fans),” said KZ of what the music platform has done so far for her career. “Since 1MX has a diverse line-up, na-e-expose yung mga audiences sa iba’t-ibang artists, mayroong ibang fans na nakikilala kami, ganito pala siyang artist, na appreciate nila kami (they get to expose to different Filipino artists and they get to know us. We are happy that they appreciate our work). They start to listen to us, as well as to other artists.”

Joining KZ in the latest edition of 1MX are Yeng Constantino, Darren Espanto, Sandwich, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, IV of Spades and Agsunta.

Tickets to the concert are priced at P899 for VIP and P499 (general admission) and are available at www.ticketnet.com.ph.