For those who will be watching the Eraserheads documentary Combo On The Run in cinemas next month, a special gift for a lucky few is in store as the iconic Filipino rock band will be holding a surprise live performance at a random screening.

On February 17, 2025 (Monday), a press conference was held ahead of the premiere of the highly anticipated Eraserheads documentary, which heavily details their 2022 reunion and ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’ concert, which will run from March 21 to 23, 2025 (Friday to Sunday). Present in the press conference panel was Warner Bros. Philippines director of distribution Rico Gonzales, the documentary’s director Diane Ventura, concert producer Francis Lumen, and, of course, Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia himself.

A major highlight of the press conference came in the form of an announcement that the Eraserheads themselves will be attending a screening of the documentary without any prior announcement and performing a special set for the chosen moviegoers.

A surprise pop-up performance lottery

Described as a “surprise pop-up performance lottery,” the quartet is expected to “visit an unsuspecting cinema and perform during the weekend theatrical run of the highly anticipated documentary,” with Ventura commenting in a press statement that “the exact location and time of the surprise performance” will remain in secrecy until it happens. “It’s a lottery, after all,” she states. “The thrill lies in the unpredictability; it could take place at any theater, at any moment, and not even I have the slightest clue.” However, she promises that whoever actually gets to luckily experience this will have a “rare opportunity to see the Eraserheads in such an intimate setting,” describing it as “a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Furthermore, Ventura explains that the goal of this special pop-up performance is to “reignite the magic of movie-going at a time when streaming has overtaken traditional movie-watching.” “I think some movies are meant to be experienced in the cinema,” Ventura comments, noting how she feels that Combo On The Run is one such film. “It’s in Dolby Atmos, a technology that lets the fans hear the Eraserheads’ music in a way they’ve never had.” In addition, she also notes how the experience of having the band perform right after the documentary ends “would definitely heighten the audio-visual film experience,” expressing her excitement for these lucky few to “have that chance for such an immersive treat for the senses.”

It was also revealed that the Eraserheads’ idea to do a pop-up performance came from a collective desire to “connect with fans in a fresh and unique way. “This is entirely their concept, and it’s original, fresh, and unprecedented,” reveals Ventura, proclaiming that, “There’s really nothing like it out there. It’s an extraordinary way for fans to experience the band’s story and music in a new, exciting context.”

Honoring the band’s truth

Alongside this exciting announcement, the panel also opened the floor for a question-and-answer portion of the press conference, helping those present to gain further insight into the creation and distribution of the highly anticipated documentary.

Upon being asked how she managed to balance the complexity of the band’s journey while maintaining objectivity throughout, Ventura specifically notes how the film is the Eraserheads “reclaiming their narrative” following much speculation after their initial break-up, leading her to desire to honor the band’s truth completely. “I was lucky enough to have that chance to sit down with them for them to reveal their story,” she shares, noting how that everyone can expect that it will be “a no holds barred depiction of their story,” with “nothing is swept under the rug.” “So, for me, as a filmmaker, I wanted to honor that truth. And I think by honoring that truth and preserving, that was my way of being objective.”

Why make this documentary now?

Buendia, meanwhile, was noted for now being more open to talking about his history with the Eraserheads, following his long-standing reputation of being “elusive” regarding personal details. “I guess the boys and I liked mystery and keeping things vague. But there comes a time that works against you,” he notes, sharing how “misconceptions” and “myths regarding the band” began plaguing their reputation.” However, this time, Buendia shares that the band “chose a different path and decided that it’s high time to, as direk (director) Diane said, reclaim [their] narrative.”

Furthermore, Buendia notes how the band has gotten better at reconciling over the years, recognizing the efforts of each member to “move forward in a more optimistic and positive light,” which he notes was “a far cry from thirty years ago.”

A lasting, positive impact

For Ventura, when asked what sort of impact she hopes the documentary will leave behind on fans of the Eraserheads, she shares how her experience creating the film helped taught her a valuable lesson she hopes that viewers will also apply to their own lives. “I think [the documentary is] really about growth and in the process of making it, I’ve learned a lot about myself in watching the guys be so raw and honest and vulnerable,” she reveals. Ventura notes how the experience gifted her with the “courage to access those feelings that [she] really did not allow [herself] to face for a long time.” “I hope that they can have a similar takeaway from watching the film.”

For all Eheads fans, old and new

“We wanted to transcend generations,” reveals Buendia when asked about how he feels about the music of the Eraserheads resonating with younger audiences. “That’s what the band is all about because we’ve been inspired by the previous generation to make music. This is sort of paying it forward and giving back and to inspire musicians and people who aren’t artists to go out there and be themselves and be their own person. It’s such a gift and it’s still why we do this thing.”

Eraserheads’ Combo On The Run will be shown exclusively in Philippine cinemas nationwide this March 21-23, 2025 (Friday to Sunday). At the time of writing, the film will only be seeing a theatrical release, with no talks of being put on streaming platforms as of yet.

More information regarding tickets are set to be announced next week, which are expected to be available for purchase at the end of the month. Watch this space for updates.