By On April 6, 2025, fans of iconic Pinoy rock bands Urbandub and Typecast gathered at the New Frontier Theater in Manila to kick off the first leg of their highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Concert Tour.
This milestone event, presented by Numinous Philippines and Udub Presents, in collaboration with TTP Events, Variant Productions, and Daybreak Entertainment, marked a powerful celebration of their musical journey. The second leg followed shortly after, with an equally memorable show at the Baguio Convention Center on April 12.
A Silver Milestone for Urbandub and Typecast
I have a personal connection to both bands, having been familiar with and listening to their music since I began my career in the publishing industry, when they were just starting to perform in the Metro. In addition to their massive fanbases, both bands began their music journey outside of Metro Manila. Urbandub originated in Cebu in 2000, while Laguna served as the base for then underground “emo” band Typecast. I recall my first encounter with Urbandub. They visited the PULP office in 2003 for their very first cover shoot for a Metro Manila music magazine. We went to the helipad of the Antel Global Building in Ortigas, and I recall it being a quick photo shoot. They spent the majority of their visit in the office, where we all made an effort to get to know one another. As for Typecast, I remember going with a friend [RIP Dex Bascon] who was in an underground band here in Laguna. I was unaware that our destination was in Sta. Cruz, located approximately 51km from my hometown of Sta. Ros. We visited a place that appeared to be a family restaurant from the exterior, but I was stunned to find it packed with people, all dressed in black, moving to the flow of punk music. Typecast was among the performers. I remembered it clearly as the crowd began to sing along with them, a skill that Typecast continues to possess even today.
Playing the Deep Cuts
I arrived early for soundcheck. As expected, the stage had a two-band setup. Typecast did their soundcheck first, followed by Urbandub. After the soundcheck, there was an opportunity to meet the fans who purchased the SVIP ticket. Urbandub and Typecast happily signed albums and posed for photos. It took a few hours before the show began, which was directed by in demand concert director and musician Paolo Valenciano. The venue began to fill up, primarily with individuals who unmistakably belong to an era when they frequented Saguijo, 6Underground, or Capone’s on weekday evenings to enjoy live performances by bands like Urbandub and Typecast. I decided to situate myself at the back, close to the tech booth, to observe what would be displayed on the screen. As the countdown neared its end, the members of Urbandub took their positions on stage, one by one. The songs from Urbandub’s first set featured selections from their catalog of deep cuts. “It was really Direk Paolo that gave us the guidelines for the show,” says Urbandub’s Gabby Alipe as I message him to ask their song choices that night. “The first set would be the obscure, rarely played songs but still somewhat familiar for the audience, and the second set would be all singles.” He also adds that the concept of Paolo was to make the audience feel like they’re watching a live music video. The black and white camera shots of the band displayed on the massive LED screen behind them were truly captivating. It somehow brought to mind a Nine Inch Nails aethetic, it added to the overall drama of the band performing their deep cuts.
The two-band setup carried out very well for the concert, as when it was time for Typecast to take the stage, the countdown signaled the members to prepare for their performance. Typecast has a remarkably devoted fanbase. Likely originating from their days as an underground band. These fans remained loyal until they gained mainstream recognition. For that reason, their devoted following would still sing along to even the most obscure songs that they have.
Surviving the four-hour concert
Nearly four hours on my feet left my lower back and feet weary by the second set— a feeling I hadn’t experienced at a concert since the Foo Fighters played in Thailand. Still, any discomfort was a small price to pay for both incredible shows, and it was amusing to realize I was probably sharing this minor suffering with many others in the crowd. It was also a “reunion” of some sort because as I walk around the venue, I would bump into people that I know, usually musicians and people in the music industry that I haven’t seen in a while. The second set saw both bands playing their most popular songs, transforming the theater into an energetic, collective sing-along. Watching Urbandub and Typecast over the years has always been a pleasure, but being part of this celebration offered a fresh realization of their talent. They possess a knack for writing exceptional lyrics that are relatable yet avoid being either too complex or too plain. Combine that with their signature catchy, memorable tunes, and it’s easy to see why their music resonates. As a surprise to their supporters, both bands joined on stage to cover Taking Back Sunday’s “MakeDamnSure” and Deftones’ “Be Quite and Drive.”
The 25th-anniversary concert of Urbandub and Typecast was more than simply a show; it was a strong reminder of the influence of their songs and their capacity to establish a very intimate connection with fans. Their impressive stage presence and skill for writing meaningful songs and memorable melodies cemented their reputation as icons in the Filipino rock scene. The concert celebrated their musical journey, brought together for fans, and attested to the ongoing ability of music to unify and resonate across generations.
Denise J. Mallabo 