The members of the OPM band Lola Amour are still in disbelief they actually performed their viral hit "Raining in Manila" with Coldplay during the Philippine leg of the British band's Music of the Spheres Tour in January 2024.
The band members are Pio Dumayas, Angelo Mesina, Zoe Gonzales, Manu Dumayas, Jeff Abueg, Raffy Perez, David Yuhico, and Raymond King.
Read: President Marcos Jr., Maine-Arjo, Heaven-Marco among attendees at Coldplay Manila concert
Meeting the press during the TikTok Rising Philippines event at the Apotheka Manila on February 28, 2024, they recalled with relish their standout moment with the hugely famous British band.
Read: "Jin X Coldplay" trends on Twitter following a reported collaboration
Pio recounted an unforgettable experience backstage when the band met Coldplay's lead vocalist, Chris Martin, backstage before being called on stage for the collaboration performance.
He told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Poral), “The whole thing didn't feel real, for a few of us, it took us a few days before it actually sunk in that that happened…
“In the holding room, we met Chris, we met the whole Coldplay, and then we went to soundcheck with them.
“The holding room was really cool—these weird snacks na hindi namin nahahanap sa Pilipinas, meron.”
Pio went on to describe what it was like to be sharing the stage with his band's idols.
"When we went up on stage, I don't know how to tell anyone how that felt.
"Parang it took us back to the days nung high school palang kami—nag-perform for our school saka sobrang kaba ka na, mga ganun…
"Cause no one there went to Coldplay to watch Lola Amour, di ba? So parang at the back of our minds, baka isipin, epal lang kami dun, parang ganun.”
He said they were relieved to hear the 55,000-strong audience cheering and singing Lola Amour's original composition along with Coldplay.
"When he started singing ‘Raining in Manila’ and everyone like shouted, that's a good sign. And then when we went up on stage, everyone shouted, iyon better sign…
“The best part was when you could hear the whole stadium of, ilan yun, 55,000 people singing along your song.
"I think, when it’s not even your show, I think, that was like the moment that like will never leave our memories, parang ganun.”
The group was asked if Chris Martin, the vocalist of Coldplay, has invited them to collaborate on a project.
Pio jokingly replied, “Pupunta siya sa bahay namin mamaya.”
Then, he earnestly added, “No, not at the moment, but it was like a different experience, you know. Okay na kami dun.”
Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres concert was staged on the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on January 19 and 20.
LOLA AMOUR: WANDERLAND MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2024
In addition to the band’s special guest appearance at a major show, Lola Amour is slated to perform on Day 1 at the highly awaited Wanderland Music & Arts Festival 2024, taking place at the Filinvest City Events Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on March 9 and 10, 2024.
Read: Everything you need to know about Wanderland Music & Arts Festival 2024
Pio fondly recounted to PEP.ph their first project with Wanderland, “We actually started in Wanderland.
"That was our first big show nung sumali kami dun sa contest nila tapos nanalo kami, so we got to play for them.
“So now, it feels like a full circle na nandun na ulit kami."
Will there be surprises for Lola Amour's fans during the festival?
Pio said, “We are playing a new song… we've been playing it for a while, but… for just Wanderland, we'll be playing a new song called ’Nami-miss Ko Na,’ it's coming out next month… mid-March.”
“Nami-miss Ko Na” is set to be officially released on March 13, 2024, just four days after Lola Amour’s performance at Wanderland.
READ MORE:
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- Coldplay's Chris Martin visits Pinoy fan with cancer
- English electronic duo Honne headlines digital edition of Wanderland Music and Arts Festival