Pinoy Music Jam: 10 Rising OPM Bands You Shouldn't Miss
OPM, short for Original Pilipino Music, has been rocking it for decades, growing bigger and better with time. More Filipino bands are popping up, bringing fresh vibes with genres like rock, indie and city pop. Right now, OPM is at its peak, stronger than ever!
For many years, some bands really made waves in the OPM scene. Take Ben&Ben, with their indie folk-pop charm or IV of Spades, who nail that indie rock/funk mix, blending alternative, soft rock, funk and a touch of psychedelia. Then there’s Cup of Joe, serving up experimental pop with a mix of acoustic, retro and alternative pop ballad flavors. These bands aren’t just topping charts, they’re creating songs that stick, from timeless hits to TikTok bangers.
Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be huge for Pinoy artists. Some are just one killer gig or viral TikTok moment away from the spotlight they’ve been chasing. Here are ten Filipino bands every music lover should keep an eye on this year!
1. One Click Straight
One Click Straight is a Filipino alternative rock band from Parañaque. The group consists of three brothers, Sam Marquez (guitar, vocals), Toffer Marquez (bass, vocals) and Tim Marquez (drums, vocals) along with their childhood friend Joel Cartera, also known as Jpapi (guitar, vocals). Known for their neo-synth pop-punk sound, they blend melodic pop, indie rock and synth-pop with heartfelt, authentic lyrics that often explore themes like love, identity and societal pressures.
The band started jamming in high school, initially driven by a desire to “look cool,” but evolved into serious musicians by 2014. Signed to Island Records Philippines, One Click Straight has performed at major gigs, including the Bobapalooza Festival (2024) and an Ayala Malls tour with Zild. Their 2023 album earned international recognition, landing on The Cosmos’ Top 23 International Albums of 2023 list. They were also featured in Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2025 lineup, highlighting their growing global appeal. The band emphasizes authenticity, brotherhood and creating music that resonates deeply.
Check out their song "Telepono" !
2. Hey June
Hey June! is a Filipino indie rock band formed in 2021 in Manila, Philippines, known for their fresh, youthful sound and introspective lyrics that resonate with Gen Z audiences. The band currently consists of three members: Jim Mase (vocals, guitars, synth, songwriter), Coey Ballesteros (bass, backup vocals) and Aci Fodra (drums, backup vocals). Managed by Soupstar Music and signed to Island Records Philippines, Their music blends indie pop, alternative rock and synth-driven sounds, tackling themes like youth, love, identity and societal pressures.
Hey June! is active in the live music scene, performing at festivals like Malaya Festival, Zarks Music Festival, UP Fair and Bobapalooza, as well as venues like The 70’s Bistro and 19 East. Upcoming gigs in 2025 include the Blind Box Setlist Gig at Eton City. Takeover Lounge Global and Maginhawa Summerfest. Their debut album, Curiosity Killed the Cat (2023), features tracks like “Asan Ang Gana Ko” and explores the emotional landscape of modern youth in a tech-driven world. The album, available in red and blue vinyl editions, earned critical acclaim and a Breakthrough Artist win at the 36th Awit Awards in 2023.
Check out their song "Lasik" !
3. ALYSON
ALYSON is a five-piece Filipino band from Quezon City, Philippines. The group consists of Pio Ligot (vocals, rhythm guitar), Luis Uy (lead guitar), Marcus Mababangloob (drums, backing vocals), Miguel Erfe (bass) and Easel Manes (keyboard). Known for their city pop sound infused with Original Pilipino Music (OPM), they draw inspiration from 1970s and 1980s Japanese city pop, blending funk, jazz, pop and Manila Sound to create nostalgic yet modern vibes.
Signed to Offshore Music led by Ely Buendia, ALYSON aims to make a global impact, particularly in Asia, while staying true to their Filipino roots. They’ve been featured on Billboard Philippines Scenes, Spotify’s RADAR Philippines and won Breakthrough Artist at the 36th Awit Awards (2023). They’ve played at major events like Rakrakan Festival (2023), Fête de la Musique Philippines (2024) and venues like Mow’s Bar, OTO Makati and 123 Block. Their showmanship and brass section add flair, making every gig memorable.
Check out their song "Summer Nights" !
4. 12th STREET
12th Street is a four-piece Filipino band from Laguna, Philippines, signed under O/C Records. Formed by musicians who previously worked together as session players for various artists, the band has quickly risen in the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene with their heartfelt pop sound. 12th Street’s rapid rise, with only a handful of songs, marks them as one of the promising new acts in the Philippine music scene, with fans eagerly awaiting more releases.
With just a few releases, 12th Street has garnered over 268,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Their breakout single, Walang Humpay (2024), has amassed around 1.8 million streams, showcasing their knack for crafting catchy, sentimental tracks. They followed up with Alitan (October 2024) and Oh, Irog (2025), further solidifying their presence in the indie pop scene. Their music often explores themes of love and longing, making them a standout in the revitalized underground OPM movement.
Check out their song "Walang Humpay" !
5. FIGVRES
figvres is a Filipino band from the Philippines, formed in 2019. The current lineup includes Apol, Jays, Justin and Ace, who joined in late 2023. They blend rock, alternative and pop, crafting catchy melodies with lyrics that tell unique often emotional stories. Their music aims to evoke deep feelings or provoke thought, making them a standout in the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene. Known for their authentic storytelling and plans to release more OPM-inspired tracks, aiming to solidify their place as a go-to band for this generation.
Their debut single, Himbing (October 2023), gained traction, landing them on Spotify’s Pinoy Indie Mix playlist with 8,000 monthly listeners initially. They followed up with Yakap (2024), which boosted their popularity, reaching 865.7K monthly listeners on Spotify and hitting the 12th spot on the Spotify Viral 50 - Philippines playlist.
Check out their song "Yakap" !
6. Healy After Dark
Healy After Dark is a four-piece Filipino indie pop/rock band from Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines, formed in 2022. The band consists of Oyo Velasco (vocals), Daniel Lozano (lead guitar), Alvin Santiago (bass) and Zach Gonzales (drums). Their sound blends dreamy indie pop and alternative rock, drawing inspiration from bands like The 1975, Wallows and Dayglow, with nostalgic, heartfelt lyrics about love, heartbreak and self-discovery.
Their breakout single, Isip (2023), has over 40 million streams, peaking at #4 on Spotify’s Viral 50 - Philippines and serving as the soundtrack for Viva One’s Safe Skies, Archer. Other hits include Ikaw (2021, 2 million streams), featured in Viva Films’ Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang and Pwede Bang Dito Ka Muna? (2024). Their debut EP, In Pursuit of Wonder (2024), solidified their rise, with nearly 1.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. Known for their tight-knit, friend-like dynamic, they’ve played major gigs like Rakrakan Festival and have upcoming shows in 2025.
Check out their song "Isip" !
7. Solace Out the Door
Solace Out The Door is a five-piece Filipino indie pop/soul pop band formed in December 2022. The group consists of Kyla Miel Camerong (vocalist, rhythm guitarist), Charlize Aaliyah Martinez (lead vocalist), Sean Matthew Tan (lead guitarist), Louise Ann Calairo (bassist) and Angel Gabrielle Fudolig (drummer). Their music blends indie pop, soul and rock, with heartfelt lyrics exploring themes like unspoken love, reconciliation and finding comfort in relationships.
They debuted with the single Tumalon on August 23, 2024, a track about the uncertainty and longing of expressing love which gained traction with 203.4K monthly Spotify listeners. Their follow-up single, Kumot (January 24, 2025), delves into seeking solace in a partner during tough times, symbolized by a blanket, emphasizing forgiveness and hope.
Check out their song "Tumalon" !
8. The Ridleys
The Ridleys is a four-piece Filipino indie folk-pop/rock band from Manila, Philippines, formed in March 2016 during a “battle of the bands” contest at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Arki Week. The band consists of Benny Manaligod (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter), Jan De Vera (backup vocals, lead guitar), Joric Canlas (bass) and Bryant Ayes (drums, percussion). Known for their storytelling through music, they blend alternative folk, pop and rock with soothing acoustics and heartfelt, relatable lyrics about love, longing, faith and home.
They released their debut EP, Aphrodite (2016), featuring tracks like “Aphrodite” and “Meaningful Silence (Our Song).” Their discography includes albums Reflections on Moonlight & Poetry (2019), Until I Reach the Sun, Vol. 1 (2022), Until I Reach the Sun, Vol. 2 (2023), and All These And More (2024), with popular singles like “Be With You,” “Love Is,” “KYGM,” and “Euphoria.” Their music often draws from Benny’s personal experiences, with muses like his wife, Sofia.
Check out their song "Milky Way" !
9. Nameless Kids
Nameless Kids is a Filipino indie pop/alternative band formed in 2019 in the Philippines. The current four-piece lineup includes Nhiko Sabiniano (lead vocals, keyboards, production), Kim Allen (vocals, guitar), Tati De Mesa (bass) and Imay Alconaba (drums). Signed to Tarsier Records, they’ve performed at venues like Araneta Coliseum, UP Fair, TakeOver Lounge and collaborated with artists like Jonathan Manalo, Maki and Angela Ken.
Their first full-length album, Manila In Bloom (2023), comprises nine tracks exploring love, pain, peace and happiness with the funky, roadtrip-like Manila In Bloom as a fan-favorite. Notable singles include Sa’yo (Ang Mundo) (2023), their first Tagalog track about softly launching a relationship, Lonely (2023), a raw take on unrequited love, Still So In Love (2024) and Gabi (2024) with a viral music video. Their latest single, Kuha Mo Na (2025).
Check out their song "Gabi" !
10. The Sun
The Sun is a Filipino pop/pop-rock band based in the Philippines, recognized for their vibrant energy and catchy melodies within the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene. The five-member group includes Iverson Gomez (vocals), Seah Gomez (bass), Harold Jimenez (keyboards), Jericho Bondoc (lead guitar) and Kenn Diga (drums). While specific details about their formation date or origin city are not widely documented, they have been actively contributing to the OPM landscape, particularly in the pop-rock genre.
Their music features upbeat, radio-friendly tracks with a modern pop-rock flair, appealing to fans of feel-good anthems and relatable lyrics. The band has released songs like Heto Na Naman and Pag-ibig Na Ba, which are available on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. These tracks showcase their knack for crafting melodies that blend pop sensibilities with rock elements, often infused with themes of love and youth.
Check out their song "Basta Alam Ko" !
As OPM continues to shine brighter than ever, 2025 is proving to be a game-changer for Filipino music. From the soulful storytelling of The Ridleys to the retro grooves of ALYSON and the heartfelt anthems of 12th Street, these ten bands are proof that Pinoy talent is unstoppable. Whether they’re rocking festivals, going viral on TikTok or stealing hearts with their lyrics, these artists are carrying the OPM legacy forward while carving out their own unique paths. So, crank up your playlist, check out these tracks and get ready to vibe with the future of Filipino music because OPM is not just alive, it’s thriving!.
