Cup Of Joe’s ‘Stardust’ Concert Is A Galaxy-Spanning Journey Through Music And Storytelling — Review

As October inspires many to reset their goals and embrace new beginnings through the “October Theory” trend, Cup of Joe embodied that spirit over the weekend and ushered in a new era. The Baguio-based hitmakers proved that their rise to stardom is no accident through a three-night, 20-plus-song cosmic journey to the stars and back.

Held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, saying that the sold-out ‘Stardust’ concert was a night to remember is an understatement. The band made sure that Joewahs (their fandom), both new and old, would fondly cherish the night to come. Seeing and hearing them live for the first time was well worth it. Though I’ve only recently come to appreciate the band, the show allowed me to embrace not just their music but also how they carry themselves as artists who never forget their roots. From their humble beginnings playing smaller shows at cafés in Baguio to an astounding three-night sold-out run at The Big Dome, the band has surely come a long way.

Coming from a new fan’s perspective, heading into the third and final day of the concert filled me with excitement for an already expected spectacle. Even before the show truly began, the stage was set for a night that literally and figuratively transported those in attendance to a galactic adventure. As the lights dimmed, thousands of Joewahs lit up the venue with LED bracelets on their wrists that synchronized with the music, thus creating a visually immersive experience.

The excitement gradually built up with roars and cheers as a special video presentation featured the band, along with Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who made a delightful cameo, being tasked with a cosmic mission to save the universe through their music. The experience led not only to performances of their songs but also to a bona fide storytelling journey.

When the time finally came, the band descended from a spaceship backstage and rushed toward the stage for the opening track of the night — taking the audience to the first planet of the journey, which was the Crimson Planet. Araneta erupted like a rocket launch at NASA, filled with deafening screams and roars from the crowd, and “Silakbo” was the perfect start to the cosmic adventure ahead. The production and stage design were on a different level, featuring a 360° stage setup and planets constantly in orbit, with Gian and Rapha circling as they sang their hearts out, joined by Xen on keys, Gab on electric guitar, and CJ on acoustic guitar. Right from the start, Paolo Valenciano’s direction showcased a show truly worthy of the big stage, and the opening performance clearly reflected that.

Then came the band performing “Sinderela” and “Tataya,” songs released long before their chart-topping hit “Mundo,” which continued to rock The Big Dome. The band then journeyed to Planet Ivory, where they performed “Mananatili” and “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko” — easygoing tracks that perfectly captured the planet’s theme. 

The highlight of this planet was the tantalizing performance of “Tingin” with none other than Janine, who took the stage for a majestic rendition fit for an arena. Janine, whom I saw perform live at this year’s Fête de la Musique, is always a treat to watch and hear. The band then returned the favor by performing “Hulaan” with Janine, and before venturing to the next planet, they capped it off with “Misteryoso.”

Their adventure to the Pink Planet was a nostalgic trip through their classics, performing “Estranghero” and a medley of their throwback tracks: “Sagada,” “Nag-Iisang Muli,” and “Hayaan.” The screens flashed pictures and moments from their humble beginnings, tugging at the heartstrings of Joewahs in Araneta and even newer listeners like myself. It proved to be the heart and soul of the whole show, and a bittersweet underdog story of never forgetting where they came from and sharing their achievements with the people who supported them through the years. They even gave shoutouts to their professors from Senior High School and longtime friends in attendance.

As the surprise guest performer of the night, Yeng Constantino graced the third and final show, following Gloc-9 on Day 1 and APO Hiking Society on Day 2. Together, they performed Constantino’s 2009 hit “Jeepney Love Story,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. This was, again, a dream come true for the band, who had idolized these OPM legends and could now stand beside them and perform on stage.

But that moment was immediately topped by the night’s surprise song, which was their rendition of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” It brought a full-on boyband experience we didn’t know we needed, with CJ, Xen, and Gab joining Gian and Rapha on vocals, complete with dance and the whole shebang.

Marking a milestone worthy to be witnessed by an audience, another highlight of the night was the awarding of “Multo” as the longest-running No. 1 song on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart — surpassing 27 weeks and counting, as of this writing — a feat no OPM act has achieved so far. Billboard Philippines Publisher Anne Bernisca and Managing Editor Jason Caballa took the stage to present the plaque to the band, shaking their hands as if at a formal graduation. In a comedic moment, Gian joked that they had finally received a diploma.

They were also recognized by Araneta for another historic feat — selling out not one, not two, but five concert shows across their two-night ‘Silakbo’ shows in February and three nights of ‘Stardust,’ all within a year.

Back to regular concert programming, the band ventured into Planet Emerald, where they performed “Hinga,” as well as their slower songs “Kanelang Mata,” “Bubog,” and “Lahat ng Bukas” — the latter a duet with Keanna Mag, who also served as the night’s opening act, followed by “Pahina.” Between each destination and voyages across planets, fans were treated to witty banter and spiels from Gian and Rapha, along with sponsor promos that made the show possible. Cute and funny moments like these added to the entertainment and showcased the group’s charm and showmanship.

The band’s final destination to Planet Azure, marked the last voyage of the night. It felt like all roads, or stars, led to their most celebrated tracks, closing with “Bagyo.” Meanwhile, “Sandali,” their first single post-Silakbo era, released earlier this year, was a treat to hear live. It continued to prove that the band is capable of releasing songs they can wholeheartedly embrace and perform with full energy in front of a live audience. And with the band completely vibing to the track, it felt like the inevitable new era is just as exciting as it is promising.

But almost everyone, if not all, awaited the band’s performance of “Multo,” a track that has every right to dominate the charts. With an extended live arrangement, the song that catapulted them into superstardom sounded nothing short of epic. “Multo” became relatable for many — not just as a heartbreaking love song, but as a powerful anthem about being chained to the past and yearning to move forward. That is why everyone in the room, even with their phones out, myself included, witnessed a powerful performance that the studio version simply cannot replicate.

Even for those who only knew the band through this song, experiencing Stardust was a journey and a testament to their evolution. With “Multo” as the main event that fans were eager to hear live, the moment felt even more complete after going through a setlist that was one banger after another—even the slower songs.

With “Patutunguhan” as the encore performance, the feeling suddenly hit that three hours had flown by. For those in attendance, the night’s end only marked the beginning for the band, as they embark on a world and Philippine tour, taking the ‘Stardust’ experience to the next level. As soon as the confetti dropped, I couldn’t help but think that if there were a musical equivalent to Martin Scorsese’s “Absolute Cinema” meme, this moment would be it.