Ben&Ben, BGYO are coming to Toronto in September
Photo from Ben&Ben and BGYO/Instagram
In a sea of mundane live gigs that often cram too many artists into a single lineup, 1MX Music Festival has seemingly cracked the code for creating an exciting sonic experience sans the auditory overload. It’s an “international traveling music festival” that delivers an “authentic Asian artist showcase and the local cultural scene it is in—from music to fashion to lifestyle.”
1MX has previously rocked stages in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and London, and guess what? It’s hitting Toronto on Sept. 10—bringing along a compact and thoughtfully curated selection of established and emerging Asian acts you wouldn’t dare miss.
Ben&Ben brings their brand of folk pop to the Great White North
First on the list is Ben&Ben, a.k.a. the Filipino folk pop band that has been churning out chart-topping hits like “Maybe The Night” and “Kathang Isip” since 2017.
With well-written lyrics and soundscapes that seamlessly blend acoustic and electric instruments, many of Ben&Ben’s songs have become the soundtrack to our late-night existential contemplations and emotionally charged breakdowns.
But it’s not all melancholy with the nine-piece band. Their lyrical themes also touch on an entire spectrum of social issues—from mental health to political abuse of power. Ben&Ben isn’t afraid to use their platform as a tool for change and advocacy. It is fairly refreshing in an industry saturated by superficiality.
Plus, they’ve snagged numerous awards and accolades, including Spotify’s Most Streamed Artist in the Philippines in 2020. Clearly, Ben&Ben knows how to strike a chord with audiences.
The Aces of P-pop shoots for the Canadian audience
Now, if that’s not enough to get you hyped, rising Filipino boy group BGYO is also gracing the stage at 1MX Toronto. Dubbed the “Aces of P-pop,” this quintet is all about embracing their Filipino heritage. They also incorporate it into their music, choreography, and music videos.
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BGYO (which stands for “Be the change, Go further, You and I, Originally Filipino”) has amassed a dedicated fanbase with their talent and charisma leading to recognitions from local award-giving bodies. They won the People’s Voice Award for Favorite Group Artist at the 34th Awit Awards as well as the P-Pop Boy Group of the Year at the TikTok Awards Philippines 2022.
Their impact goes beyond their home country though. BGYO also caught the attention of the Asian Academy Creative Awards. In addition, they even made it to Grammy’s “Many Sounds of Asian Pop” feature.
Besides Ben&Ben and BGYO, Japanese-African American R&B musician Umi, Vietnamese-American singer-songwriter Thuy, and Korean-Canadian DJ and record producer Dabin are also part of the Toronto lineup.
More artists have yet to be announced. So keep an eye out for promising additions to the festival roster.
