THE phenomenal band Cup of Joe is set to end this awesome year with a big bang. The repertoire is now finalized, and the members are in the thick of preparations for the two-night musical spectacle, billed as Cup of Joe Symphony, on December 3 and 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
As of this writing, it has been confirmed that celebrities Anne Curtis and Wilbert Ross have agreed to be special guests in either one of these two concert dates. Ben and Ben’s frontmen Paolo and Miguel Benjamin have also decided on the performance details for their special segment with Cup of Joe. And our source from Viva Entertainment said that a few more surprise guests are being finalized.
The Baguio-borne, five-piece powerhouse band, composed of vocalists Gian Bernardino and Raphaell Riddao, lead guitarist Gabriel Fernandez, rhythm guitarist CJ Fernandez, and keyboardist Xen Gareza, recently announced that it will be going on a hiatus after this major December symphony concert.
But while fans and followers are securing their tickets fast, they are also getting anxious because most are in the dark why the band made this announcement.
There are a dozen reasons why top-tier bands like Cup of Joe decide to take a temporary hiatus. Some of the most obvious ones include recovery from the physical strain and drain of touring, allowing the band members to manage personal and health challenges, preventing burnout, and focusing on solo endeavors.
Burnout is a common result of packed schedules for promotions, recording, concerts, and corporate and brand events which take their toll and drain the group physically and emotionally. I’m quite sure the members have realized that making a living in the modern music business can be relentless and not meant for the faint-hearted. Taking a break is essential to fully recharge their musical batteries.
One or more members might have individual career goals and aspirations aside from being in the group. Take vocalist Gian Bernardino, who has already started exploring other fields like his recent acting debut in the highly successful Philippine movie adaptation of the Thai horror comedy Pee Mak, which earned more than expected at the box office when it was screened nationwide.
Bernardino made it very clear that this move is strictly to explore another field of performing arts. ‘It is a personal expansion, if I may call it that. I’m spreading my artistic wings and trying to expand my reach and my ground. I want to make it clear that I am not leaving the band I so love dearly, and there is no way that the band is disbanding because Cup of Joe remains solid and intact.’
I won’t be surprised if some of the band’s die-hard fans feel hurt because of this recent announcement. The term used in Cup of Joe’s announcement is ‘hiatus’ and some fans aren’t too sure if it means temporary or indefinite. What suddenly came to mind was when the popular group One Direction also used the same word (hiatus) in 2015, but the band never reunited and members like Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson moved on with their individual careers and then Liam Payne tragically passed on.
We cannot discount the fact that there are risks to a hiatus. Fans might lose interest, band members can grow apart, and so on. But when stepping back is managed well to regain the members’ momentum, and used as an opportunity for growth, rejuvenation, and reinvention, a temporary break can do good to the band. There are also times when bands can fall into a pattern of producing similar-sounding songs over time. A hiatus can provide opportunities for the members to reflect on their musical direction and come back with a more evolved and unique sound that is still in perfect sync to the music they are known for.
On November 22, Cup of Joe will hold a special performance for the Uniqlo holiday event at the Bonifacio Global City’s East open parking grounds to spread early Christmas cheers for their fans and the brand’s loyal customers.
I was also told that Cup of Joe has submitted its hit song ‘Sandali’, alongside other Philippine entries like SB19’s ‘Visa’ and BINI’s ‘Unang Kilig’ to the Grammy Awards selection committee for consideration for the Best Asian Pop Performance award, a new category that recognizes artistic excellence in the Asian pop music scene. Nominations are expected to be announced in mid November and Cup of Joe’s fans are keeping their fingers crossed.
Grammy or no Grammy does not really matter. For almost nine years now that started with a performance in a school event in Baguio City, and seven years since Cup of Joe signed with Viva Music, the band has created memorable music and a huge following that no hiatus can stop it from coming back-stronger and mightier than ever, overflowing its cup with music that will continue to alter and transform the local music landscape.