The recently concluded 2023 Awit Awards featured performances from 22 of the most prominent figures in the music and entertainment industry.
Song and Record of the Year winner Dilaw opened the show with their hit “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat),” with a special heavy metal-style outro. Zild performed a surprise rendition of Rico Blanco’s “Yugto” in the lead up to the presentation of the Dangal ng Musika Award to Rico Blanco. Sandwich and Yeng Constantino closed the show with their rendition of Sampaguita’s “Tao.”
With that, check out Billboard Philippines’ full review of the performances at the 2023 Awit Awards.
Short and sweet
Each performer was given three to four minutes to perform one song, with the exception of Erik Santos and Kyla’s medley of some of the nominated songs. Each act gave a stellar performance, leaving the audience regularly chanting for more, especially during the sets of Juan Karlos, Zild, and Sandwich. The P-pop representatives ALAMAT and YGIG delivered electrifying performances of their songs “Dagundong” and “Shaba Shaba” respectively, complete with top-notch choreography.
The ceremony was also a place for artists to showcase reimagined versions of their hit songs. Moira dela Torre shocked audiences with a heavier, more rock-sounding performance of “Eme.” Billboard Philippines Soundwave guest and Billboard Philippines Songs chart-topper Janine Berdin also performed a heavier version of “SITWASYONSHIP.” Juan Karlos also riled up the crowd with his record-breaking hit “ERE.”
After the awarding of the major recognitions, the “Awit Festival” afterparty kicked off with performances from Side A, The Diegos, Juan Karlos, and a collaboration between Yeng Constantino and Sandwich. While DJ sets are usually set at the end of a program flow, The Diegos were slated as the first performers for the afterparty, ending shortly before the start of Juan Karlos’ set.
Unconventional staging design
The venue of the ceremony was located in Baked Studios along Yakal Street in Makati City, a blackbox-style theatre with two “stages” at the front. A small, elevated stage was reserved for the acts without a band or instrument set-up — the case for performers like YGIG, ALAMAT, Erik Santos and Kyla, as well as Arthur Miguel. Bands and instrumentalists performed on the venue’s floor itself, which made it a bit difficult for the audience to watch. The lack of seating in the venue made audience members crowd near the acts, essentially blocking the view from the back. While there was a live feed projected on the screen, there was much to be desired in terms of getting the full experience of watching the bands perform.
A number of performances also featured technical difficulties, such as a different instrumental being played over the backing track for Arthur Miguel’s “Lihim.” During the intro of Sunkissed Lola’s “Pasilyo,” the guitar amp emitted a buzzing noise instead of the guitar itself for around 15 to 30 seconds. Kenaniah also visibly experienced some issues with the mixing of his synth during his performance of “Bahala Na.”
Despite the minor mishaps, the crowd was still locked in with each performance, singing along with the artists throughout the entire duration of the program. None of the acts disappointed with their individual styles and songs. Each performance made for a memorable night where the music industry came together to support Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS: Zild’s “Yugto,” YGIG’s “Shaba Shaba,” Juan Karlos’ “ERE,” Moira dela Torre’s “Eme”
Review the full list of performers at the 36th Awit Awards below.
- Juan Karlos
- Vilmark and Zephanie
- Arthur Miguel
- Kenaniah
- Ace Banzuelo
- Dilaw
- Sunkissed Lola
- Sandwich and Yeng Constantino
- Ben&Ben
- Benjamin Kheng & Bea Lorenzo
- ALAMAT
- YGIG
- Side A
- Sam Concepcion
- Moira dela Torre
- Janine Berdin
- Kyla and Erik Santos
- Zild
- The Diegos (DJ set)