Let the Underground Rise: 6 Artists and Bands the Pipol Should Check Out
2025 is the year for original Pinoy music (OPM). With Pinoy pop, or more commonly known as P-pop, continuously rising and reaching international heights, we should take pride in being Filipino. However, there is a lot more outside of popular music.
The underground music scene is just as alive as the popular music scene—it has been for the longest time. According to No Depression, we can trace the origin of underground music back to the 1960s in the west. And it made its way to the Philippines around the 90s.
For three decades now, mainstream audiences are yet to discover underground Filipino artists and bands, and give them the spotlight. But before we delve into a realm of underground Filipino music, what is underground music?
Underground music as a distinct culture and a community
When music steps out of the mainstream box of norms and standards, underground music is born. The genre emerged from leaving commercialized music behind, focusing on artistic expression, individuality, and creative freedom. No labels, no pledges, just music.
Mainly defined by being alternative or non-mainstream, underground music exists beyond major labels and independently.
In most cases, underground artists and bands produce their own music, emphasizing the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) culture. Such culture means they create music without heaps of money and the steadfast promotion major labels can provide.
It is a culture of music that thrives on its independence and separation from the mainstream. Fundamentally, underground music takes full control over their production, recording, and distribution. This allows artists to have a more personal connection with their music, as well as their audience.
While the music industry is a vast and complex ecosystem, music interconnects the independent music scene in many ways.
As said, artists and bands form a personal connection with their audience, this also includes their connection with each other. With a shared passion for DIY music, underground artists and bands may or may not also share a bond with each other.
The scene, while being a subculture of music, is also a tight-knit community where anyone and everyone can find a sense of belonging, all because of one common interest—freedom in music. Their community is closely tied together and thrives together, and they deserve our support to continue thriving.
6 artists and bands the Pipol should listen to
Albeit connected by their independence in creating music, the scene offers a variety of genres. Found below is a list of 6 underground Filipino artists and bands that the Pipol should check out, each offering a unique sonic brand:
MATOKI is a dream pop, shoegaze band formed in the heart of Pasig City. Originally a three-piece band, Ivan (drums), Kiyan (percussion), and Ken (guitar) joined the three—Vlad (main vocals), Yancy (bass), and Emman (guitar)—in creating music. What started with three teenagers who needed to sleep more, as said on their YouTube channel, is now a six-piece band navigating their way in the alternative scene.
Photo from Xyruz Barcelona
In an interview article written by Faye Allego, Vlad spoke about how love can be translated into music. He said that creating music is only an attempt to express things that are difficult to put into words. He also said that writing songs can also mean: I love you so much, this came out of it—to which Ken agreed.
Whether their songs are centered on love or not, MATOKI’s music is created on a foundation of passion for DIY music, as heard in their melodious tunes and unique writing.
aunt robert is a solo project by Gabe Gomez. With her short but sweet songs, Gabe is known for indie pop, incorporating elements of indie rock and bedroom pop. Just like most musicians, Gabe expresses her feelings through music, in a way everyone and anyone can relate to. She released her first album “Goodbyes Forever” on September 26, 2025.
Photo from aunt robert
medyo maybe is an alternative rock band from the Ilocos region, specifically the province of Pangasinan. The band started as a solo project by Dave in 2018. Not until he invited his long-term friend, Eugene, to play with him at a Sining Shelter gig. Along their journey, they met John, Jermaine, Emil, and Eri.
Photo from medyo maybe
Despite being from the North, the band often commutes to the metro to play at DIY gigs. Dave even said that they already memorized different bus seats from their numerous commutes. In an article by Madison Roe Rabuco, she wrote that the band’s music focuses on the beauty of simplicity in mundane things.
Daspan En Walis is a five-piece blues and punk rock band born in the hardship of urban living in Metro Manila. The band embodies the struggles of a common Filipino: the hustle culture of workers, consisting of the 9-5 routine, and the daily struggles of college students. Daspan En Walis is also claimed to be medyo maybe’s “brotherhood band,” proving the scene’s tight-knit community.
Photo from Daspan En Walis
Formed in 2023, the band started with four members who were classmates in college—Tarantambo (main vocals), Wago (lead guitar), Baldehado (drums), and Red (bass). Pakundo later joined the band as their rhythm guitarist. Daspan En Walis has released their first album “Askal Projection Volume 1,” and will be releasing “Askal Projection Volume 2” soon.
tuesday trinkets is an independent band that produces bittersweet and nostalgic tunes that evokes the same feeling a coming-of-age from the early 2000s would. The band consists of Lordee (vocals), Shan (lead guitar), Pat (bass), and Lai (drums). Their history begins with Lordee, who uploaded song covers on YouTube in 2020, followed by teaming up with Pat.
Photo from tuesday trinkets
The two searched for bandmates, leading them to Shan, who envisioned an all-girl band and a community centered on women in music. Lai later joined the band, contributing her talent as a self-taught drummer. As tuesday trinkets, they aim to continually explore themes of youth, growth, and belonging through their music. Their first single “Cigarettes, Beer, & Stray Cats” is available on Spotify.
(e)motion engine is a six-piece indie rock band that often plays in Metro Manila, specifically in Makati City. They released their first single “mlb” in 2024, where lead vocalist Ace said in an article by Andrea Panaligan that the song took four hours.
Photo from (e)motion engine
The majority of the band’s musical influences are emo, pop, and Japanese music. The band said they do not merely borrow inspiration from these influences, but they also study their music to truly capture their essence and express them. (e)motion engine’s goal is to score human life. They want to capture emotions and know how to speak them through their music.
If we think about it, the underground Filipino music scene captures the true essence of music—to express, connect, and evoke emotion through sound. With underground artists and bands having independence with their music, they have the freedom to express and connect. Hence, the need to support them. Because by supporting them, we nurture a community that prioritizes art and its integrity.
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