Indie-rock band CHEATS to celebrate 10th anniversary with intimate show

SEVEN-PIECE band Cheats. | photograph courtesy of IG/CHEATS

Filipino indie-rock outfit Cheats will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the local music scene with a headline show happening on 16 March at Balcony Music House in Makati City.

The “Accidents” band will be performing a long set featuring fan favorites and rarities. Joining Cheats are some of the bandmembers’ music peers, including SOS, Oh, Flamingo! and Sandwich.

“We wanted to do a show that has a ‘party like it’s the mid-2010s’ vibe, which is the reason why we chose Sandwich, SOS and Oh, Flamingo! to share the stage with us,” the eclectic seven-piece act explains in a press statement. “They were among the bands we loved (and still do) and played a lot with back when the band was just starting out. We’ll all play lengthy sets, and while we haven’t come up with a set list yet, we’ll likely play as many of our favorite songs as possible from the last 10 years.”

The intimate gathering also doubles as a launch for the band’s special limited-edition merchandise, particularly the classic Cheats logo shirt with new colorways, re-released for those who haven’t had the chance to get one or want to collect them all.

Cheats also expressed gratitude to the fans who have continuously supported their work all these years. “Thanks to everyone who has supported the band, whether you’ve been there since the early days or just discovered us fairly recently. This will be our first show since last September, so we’re itching to play again for all of you.”

Cheats was first formed by Jim Bacarro in 2013 and features Bacarro on vocals, keys, and guitar; Saab Magalona and Candy Gamos on vocals; Manny Tanglao on bass; Jason Caballa and Kyle Quismundo on guitars; and Enzo Hermosa on drums. The seven-piece band has produced three critically acclaimed studio albums to date: 2016’s Cheats, 2017’s Before The Babies and 2022’s Houseplants. They have also headlined several music festivals here and abroad, such as Wanderland Music and Arts Festival, Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival, Laneway Music Festival and AXEAN Festival, to name a few.

Tickets to the band’s 10th anniversary show are now available via bit.ly/cheats10. Early bird passes have already sold out, but regular passes are still available for P800.