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| SB19 performs on the main stage at the Billboard event (c) Billboard PH |
Fans could only sigh. Given that it was a Billboard event, expectation were high. It was supposed to be a night of celebration, a gathering of Filipino music’s finest at the Billboard PH Anniversary event. But what was meant to be a grand showcase of OPM stars turned into a masterclass in how not to handle live performances. BINI, SB19, and a few other acts weren’t just battling stage nerves—they were up against some serious technical malfunctions. And let’s just say, the tech crew didn’t get the memo on “professionalism.”
SB19 vs. The Glitch Monster
SB19, one of the night’s headliners, hit the stage with "Mana"—or at least, they tried to. Halfway through, things went from smooth to confusing real quick. Imagine hearing two layers of the same song overlapping but delayed—like the audio equivalent of a time loop. It was bad enough to make even Stell and Pablo visibly confused as they glanced at each other and fiddled with their in-ear monitors.
The ultimate sign that something was seriously off? All five members, along with their dancers, straight-up walked off mid-performance. Twice. Yep, they tried to come back and give it another go, but the glitch persisted. Cue another walk-off. The crowd held their breath until SB19 re-emerged for a third attempt, this time without the live band. And finally, with the tech demons exorcised, they brought the house down. The crowd may have had to wait until 1:45 a.m. for it, but the Kings of P-Pop didn’t disappoint in the end.
BINI’s Acapella Moment
SB19 wasn’t the only act to face off against faulty sound. BINI, too, found themselves at the mercy of glitchy tech during their performance of "Cherry on Top." The music cut off unexpectedly, leaving the girls to fend for themselves with an impromptu acapella version.
But here’s the thing about BINI—they handled it like pros. The crowd rallied, cheering them on and even singing along. Stacey tried to reset the group with a quick "Let’s do it one more time," but the music powered through and, despite the confusion, they wrapped up with an epic mashup of "Cherry on Top" and "Pantropiko," complete with a show-stopping dance break.
A Night of Glitches for Everyone
SB19 and BINI weren’t the only victims. Boy group Alamat also had mic issues, while Adie’s choir and string quartet were practically muted. Adie’s response? Sitting in the middle of the stage with a sad smile that said it all. Moira struggled with feedback and, at one point, had to retreat to the back just to hear the band. The frustration from artists was as clear as the faulty sound that echoed through the Philippine Arena.
Fans and Reddit Weigh In
As if the night wasn’t chaotic enough, fans weren’t exactly silent about their disappointment. One Reddit user went off, calling the production a “major letdown” and accusing Billboard of dropping the ball big time. "Like, I could SEE AND FEEL the discomfort AND FRUSTRATION in each of the performing artists’ faces," ranted @AliveStaff6439, who listed every audio mishap like they were checking off a “what could go wrong” bingo card.
And let’s not forget the awkward gaps between performances. Dead air filled the arena while fans waited for the next artist to take the stage—no DJ, no host, nada. Just silence. "It was the worst produced concert I've been to," they added, leaving everyone wondering if someone backstage had forgotten to hit play.
Here is a video compilation form Jayco Manangan TV:
The Positive Spin
In the wake of the tech drama, Billboard Philippines released a statement that skillfully sidestepped the actual issue. Instead of addressing the glitches head-on, they focused on the event’s success in uniting 33 Filipino artists and highlighting the power of OPM. A classy spin, sure, but fans who stayed until the bitter end were left with a more "meh" feeling than a sense of victory.
SB19, however, did what they do best—handled the aftermath with grace. In a message to their ever-loyal A’tin, the group thanked fans for sticking by them, promising to learn from the experience and deliver better performances in the future. And because they’re SB19, they made sure to express their gratitude to Billboard for giving P-pop a platform, glitches and all.
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