A pop artist, a pop-rock cover band, and an indie folk singer-songwriter may not have much in common at first glance. But these OPM artists share the same air of excitement for their live performances at the Wish Date 4 concert happening at The Theatre at Solaire on Nov. 6.

The concert, the fourth in a series by Wish 107.5 and KDR Music House, will also bring together other OPM talents, including December Avenue, Nyoy Volante, Kimberly Baluzo, and Bradz, with the special participation of actors Ritz Azul, Arnold Reyes, and Joshua Dionisio.  

In a recent virtual interview, Mark Michael Garcia, Plethora, and Peniel gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse to their preparations and rehearsals for the upcoming concert.

“Hindi lang pangarap ko, kundi pangarap naman ng lahat na OPM artists na makatuntong sa Wish stage,” Garcia said. The pop artist and 2019 Tawag ng Tanghalan grand champion will be coming straight to the Wish stage from his own concert on Nov. 5, 2022 at the Music Museum.

Plethora agreed and shared his excitement. “Excited kami kasi magbabalik kami sa concert stage kasama ang Wish team,” they shared.

“I really like doing Wish Date concerts,” Peniel said. “The story aspect of it is really fresh and fun, and the songs that I get to sing are new to me, vocally and genre-wise. It’s a challenge, but a good kind of challenge.”  

The indie folk singer and songwriter is not a first timer on the Wish stage. When asked why she likes performing on Wish Date concerts, “It’s thrilling na makapag-change ng perspectives on live performances. Hindi siya kagaya ng ibang concerts na tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yung songs. May mga stories in between (performances), and ‘yung mga songs na pinili, naka-fit sa storyline.”  

“It’s a different kind of preparation because you have to consider the story that you will bring with your performance.” She also shared that she internalizes the songs she will be performing as if she’s a character in the story as well, not just a performer.  

Plethora, a pop-rock cover band, also shared with us their preparations. “Pag nag-a-arrange kami, lagi naming sinusubukan na hindi magtunog original. Kung ‘yung cover namin same na same, parang pinatugtog lang ‘yung original.”  

“‘Yun ang lagi naming itina-try, na ‘yung mga cover naming ng kanta, pag nadinig ng mga tao, ‘ah, Plethora ang nag-revive niyan.’ Gusto naming magkaroon ng identity ang sound ng Plethora,” they said.  

When asked who they are most excited to share the stage with and watch perform at the Wish Date 4, Plethora said, “Dito pa lang sa mga kasama natin sa Zoom meeting, parang hindi na kami magrerequest ng iba pa.”  

“Since nasa banda ako, bakit pa ako maghahanap ng iba, nandiyan ang Plethora,” Garcia laughed. “Lalayo pa ba tayo?”  

“Hindi pa natin masasabing tapos na ang pandemic, kaya kahit papano, maibsan man lang ang ating kalungkutan ng isang gabi sa pamamagitan ng music,” Garcia said.

Peniel hopes that fans get to experience a new perspective of live music with the concert. “Music is so inclined with our lives and the story of our lives, and what better celebration of it than a Wish Date concert?” she said.

For event updates, you may visit KDR Music House social media pages. (Contributed by Kynesha Robles)