Today FYI: Toro y Pains
MANILA, Philippines - Apparently, we’re now home to a bigger international indie music scene, albeit gradually. With both Toro y Moi and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (TPOBAH) playing shows right here in Manila this month of February, hipsters and closet hipsters alike will now get to pump their fists to these bands — outside their rooms.
Of course, all this wouldn’t be possible without local music production Kindassault. “We wanted to bring a piece of Laneway to Manila,” says Kindassault head Joff Cruz. Having brought in Berlin-based soft disco act The Whitest Boy Alive and Swedish indie pop band The Radio Dept. last year, Cruz says he’s glad he was able to contact both Toro and TPOBAH for a show in Manila this year.
“We wanted to get Toro y Moi not only because of his awesome music but also because of his Filipino heritage,” says Cruz. “The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have a familiar sound that isn’t too trendy.”
Toro y Moi is slated to play on Feb. 15 at Hard Rock Café in Glorietta 3 in Makati. Expect a good dose of shoegaze-tinted R&B from Toro y Moi a.k.a. Filipino chillwave pioneer Chaz Bundick from South Carolina. Openers that night include “chillectro” trio Techy Romantics and synth-happy duo Tarsius.
TPOBAH, meanwhile, will also play a full set, on Feb. 29 at Hard Rock Café. Come in early by 7 p.m. to catch garage pop newcomers Bee Eyes and ‘80s-inspired pop quartet The Camerawalls from Bulacan as opening acts.
Tickets are sold at an early bird price of P1,500 with drink (P1,800 for standard price) for both shows. Buy a Toro ticket and get a TPOBAH ticket for only P1,300. Tickets are available at following venues: Dr. Martens at The Fort Strip Plaza, Gweilo Bar B-Side in Makati, Gweilo’s MOA, Gweilo’s Eastwood City, Bunker at Ronac Art Center, and Route 196 in Katipunan. For more information, log on to www.kindassault.com.
