The universe briefly opened over Smart Araneta Coliseum, and at its blazing core stood Gian, Rapha, Xen, Gab, and CJ of the Filipino pop rock band Cup of Joe.
The sky wasn’t the limit for Cup of Joe. On October 10-12, three consecutive sold-out nights, the Smart Araneta Coliseum transformed into a galaxy of music and feels as Cup of Joe staged Stardust, their most ambitious concert yet. Designed as a full 360° stage experience, the show transported fans into a universe of orbiting stars, pulsating lights, and storytelling through songs that traced the band’s seven-year journey.
From humble beginnings in Baguio to sold-out concerts and now a looming world tour, Stardust became proof of the band’s connection with their fans, Joewahs, and a promise that this is just the beginning. Cup of Joe is only going further.
Also Read: 5 Underrated Cup of Joe Songs if You Liked Multo
Cup of Joe Stardust Concert Highlights
Cup of Joe’s music has lived in my 2025. Since SILAKBO launched in January, every song has cut deep, stirring emotions that feel painfully real, as if lifted from moments we’ve all lived but rarely say out loud.
The songs find you. Wherever you are, when you listen to the album, it’s like you’re physically inside the story. They meet you in your quietest rooms and loudest thoughts. And on Stardust, every note came alive.
Day 2 opened with rising OPM artist Jayda. What came after wasn’t just a concert; it marked an important moment in Philippine music history.
Live on stage, Believe Music Publishing awarded Cup of Joe for surpassing 4 billion all-time streams, making them one of the most-streamed Filipino acts today. On Spotify alone, they’ve now reached over 11.6 million monthly listeners, an unprecedented feat for a homegrown band.
Their record-breaking anthem “Multo” continues to dominate charts and hearts alike:
- Longest-running #1 song in Spotify Philippines history (over six months)
- Highest single-day streams in Spotify PH history (2.3 million streams in 24 hours)
Yet even with these milestones, Day 2 didn’t feel like a celebration of numbers. It was an ode to connection. Pop Journal was there to cover the event, but it personally became a core memory.
Inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, I looked around and felt like I was floating with thousands of souls inside a shared cosmos. The visual universe of Stardust— the planets, the drifting constellations, the stardust trails—felt like more than stage design. Even the lights from fans made the night more magnificent. It was emotional architecture. Every song opened a different world; every transition a new galaxy of heartbreak, hope, forgiveness, and quiet love.
For their mystery performance, Cup of Joe performed One Direction’s “Night Changes,” a tender ode to fleeting time. And then the arena erupted, with OPM legends APO Hiking Society emerging onstage. Together, they performed “Panalangin” and Cup of Joe’s own “Alas Dose,” uniting two generations of Filipino music in one rare, heartfelt moment. It was magical and monumental. All at once.
However, one particular moment resonated deeply with me. I’ve heard “Tingin” live countless times, and yet that night, under the swirl of lights and cosmic visuals, it felt different. It’s like rediscovering a familiar star after years in the dark. It’s as if the single cover was brought to life, with Cup of Joe and Janine Teñoso surrounded by wonderful lights. The band also performed “Hulaan” with the songstress, which was another win for this Janinja. And for the first time ever, I also heard “Multo” and the personal favorites “Kanelang Mata,” “Estranghero,” and “Misteryoso” performed live.
As Day 2 concluded, came a realization of why Cup of Joe continues to rise. The band reminds us why music heals. Why we return to songs. Why we get the courage to stand up every time we fall. And why we hold on.
Cup of Joe continues breaking records
Days 1 and 3 of Stardust delivered explosive star power and career-defining milestones. Day 1 opened with rising indie artist, dana paulene, whose soulful set featuring “uod love story,” “akong-ako,” and “Minamahal” warmed up the Big Dome. The energy skyrocketed when Pinoy hip-hop legend Gloc-9 stormed the stage for a surprise performance of “Bagsakan,” sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The historic night reached its peak when The Araneta Group awarded Cup of Joe a place on the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wall of Fame, which is a prestigious honor shared by Filipino music icons. Particularly, Cup of Joe was the first Filipino band to achieve a five-day sold-out concert run in a single year at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Moreover, Day 3 closed the trilogy with a grand finale filled with emotional power and timeless OPM spirit. Keanna Mag opened with “to the bone” and “Takipsilim,” setting the tone for Cup of Joe’s last ascent. The band touched fans’ hearts with a nostalgic cover of “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. OPM royalty Yeng Constantino joined the band onstage for “Jeepney Love Story” and “Wag Na Lang,” bringing the evening to an emotional peak.
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Furthermore, Cup of Joe is now set to take Stardust across the globe with their upcoming world tour. The journey begins at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles on October 31, followed by Graton Resort & Casino in Santa Rosa–San Francisco on November 1 and 2.
The band then heads to Canada with shows at the Chinese Cultural Center in Calgary on November 7, Edmonton Expo Centre on November 8, Transcona Country Club in Winnipeg on November 14, Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Vancouver on November 15, and The Arena at Pickering Casino Resort in Toronto on November 16. The tour will close at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on November 29.
Fans can also look forward to the upcoming release of Cup of Joe’s SILAKBO vinyl album, now available for pre-order here.
And now, as they prepare for a world tour, one thing is clear: Cup of Joe will be bringing the universe with them. And Joewahs will be right there, orbiting still.
Photos: Charie Navarro, Viva Records
