It's really happening.
Bamboo Mañalac, Rico Blanco, Mark Escueta, and Nathan Azarcon — collectively known to fans as members of the early Rivermaya — are getting back together for a concert next year.
Live Nation Philippines is producing the reunion concert scheduled to happen on February 17, 2024, at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City.
The confirmation was made on Monday, November 6, 2023, putting to rest growing speculations following the release of a teaser clip on social media at the end of October.
Read: Rivermaya reunion concert happening soon?
Fans immediately scoured for clues by checking the social media pages of the band members.
The only hint came from Nathan who uploaded on Instagram a throwback photo of him taken in the mid-'90s.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST ROCK ACTS
Rivermaya emerged in 1994 with the release of its self-titled debut album under BMG Records Pilipinas.
Part of the band's lineup was guitarist Perfecto "Perf" de Castro who is now based in the U.S.
Trivia: Rivermaya was assembled by acclaimed film director Chito S. Roño and talent manager Liza Nakpil to ride on the booming local rock scene in the early '90s.
Read: Ex-manager Liza Nakpil asserts ownership of Rivermaya brand name
The unit of Bamboo (vocals), Rico (keyboards, guitar), Mark (drums), Nathan (bass), and Perf is considered by fans as Rivermaya's classic lineup.
Following the departure of Perf in 1995, the band soldiered on as a four-piece band and released two more albums, namely, Trip (1996) and Atomic Bomb (1997).
Rivermaya's first three albums have produced numerous hit songs like "Ulan," "214," "Kisapmata," "Himala," "Panahon Na Naman," and "Hinahanap-hanap Kita."
Bamboo left the group after wrapping up the band's tour in America and Canada in 1998.
Chief songwriter Rico took on frontman duties and led the band to more success amid several more personnel changes.
Rico bid the band farewell in 2007 and went on to have a successful solo career.
Rivermaya today continues to be active with Mark and Nathan as the only holdovers from that early '90s lineup.
The clamor for a reunion concert featuring Rivermaya's old lineup was always high among local rock fans.
Getting the classic lineup together was a challenging task though as the members appeared non-committal with the prospect of performing together for old-time's sake.
For starters, Rivermaya as a band, with Mark and Nathan at the forefront, still exists and has never disbanded.
The closest thing to a Rivermaya reunion happened on January 9, 2016, at 19 East, Muntinlupa, during a gig by Perf where he was joined by Rico, Nathan, and Mark.
In March this year, Bamboo shot down the possibility of reuniting with his former bandmates.
Read: Sorry, OG Rivermaya fans, Bamboo is not keen on having reunion concert
"I will never say never, but then the kind of artist that I’m trying to be right is someone who tries to move forward," Bamboo told a fan.
"I cannot imagine doing that again, like going back again. We can hang out at a house or have dinner or something, but then, to play again?"
The enigmatic singer added, "You have to imagine how long we’ve been away from each other and what kind of family group of sort I have built na, with the guys I play with.
"I know Rivermaya’s out there doing their thing as well. They’re playing, and they were sharing their music as well.
"Rivermaya will always be a part of me.
"I play a few songs from them as well, so it’s a hard thing to go back to, but I understand what people think ‘coz when you have other groups, like having reunions and stuff…
"I’ve never been a fan of reunions myself, whether it’s any artists like The Police or whatever.
"I like retaining the memory of them when I saw them for the first time, Sting or whoever.
"When it’s a reunion, there’s a different energy to it, so I don’t know, but again, I will never say never. It’s a long way to say never.”