Side A are holding a special concert next year, featuring their original and current lineup.
The iconic Filipino pop band announced the news on December 10, 2025 (Wednesday), revealing that the two-night concert is set to involve the founding and current members of the group. The two shows will be held on February 21 and 22, 2025 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Metropolitan Theater (MET) in Manila City.
“Bringing both the OGs and current members together on one stage shows how the Side A story has grown through the years but kept the same heart,” says the band in a collective press statement.
Notably, the upcoming shows were inspired by “a serendipitous moment” that founding member and former bassist Joey Benin had when he attended his daughter Clara Benin’s own two-day concert at the same venue last October 3 and 4, 2025. “I was so impressed with the sound and the whole production. After the show, Jason [Conanan] of Minsan Studio said, ‘How about we do a passion project with Side A here at the classic Metropolitan Theater?’ I immediately contacted our manager, Lito Fugoso, who pitched it to the band—and here we are now: excited and looking forward to next year’s ultimate gathering.”
Organized by Minsan Studio, Side A’s upcoming concert, dubbed ‘Now & Then’ will feature songs from the band’s catalogue reimagined with symphonic arrangements by musical director Ria Villena-Osorio and a 30-piece orchestra. Notably, Villena-Osorio was also in charge of creating the orchestral renditions during Clara Benin’s aforementioned concert at the MET. “Expect to hear Side A songs in a new way, but still very familiar,” reveals the band. “The orchestra adds a bigger emotional landscape to the songs. It’s going to be a special experience for all of us on stage and in the audience.”
For these two special shows, the lineup will include keyboardist, musical director, and sole active original member Naldy Gonzalez, drummer Ernie Severino, lead guitarist and vocalist Leevon Cailao, bassist Ned Esguerra, and lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Yubs Esperat, as well as founding members lead vocalist and guitarist Rodel Gonzalez, guitarist and vocalist Pido Lalimarmo, and bassist and vocalist Joey Benin.
Tickets to the two shows are priced from PHP 2,990 to PHP 5,990 and are now available via Minsan Studio’s website.
“We hope people go home reminded of why they fell in love with Side A songs in the first place and maybe fall in love with them all over again,” adds the band. “For us, ‘Now & Then’ is a thank you: to God, to the people who have supported us all these years, and to our families, our wives, children, and apos (grandchildren) who became part of the story. If people leave the concert with full hearts, good memories, and fresh hope, then this reunion will have done its job.”
In anticipation of their ‘Now & Then’ concert, listen to Side A’s songs below: