'House of Spades' is a warm and bustling welcome home party for every fan
How do you welcome back an indie rock quartet that Pinoy rock icon Ely Buendia himself dubbed "The Beatles of the Philippines?" By throwing in a huge, festive celebration, brimming with music and fun, of course!
That's just what Spotify Premium did as they invited select media and fans to what seemed like a cross between a homecoming and a sleepover party, complete with homey vibes: the House of Spades Fan Experience.
Entering the warehouse-like Pasig studio that's very tucked away from the metro, strobing lights and pounding beats already invite a nightlife kind of crowd.
Make a quick right turn, and you are sucked into what 'House of Spades' is all about: "a conceptual album experience" that "offers a full-sensory journey—blending music, art, and personal storytelling in one immersive space."
Once signed in, you are welcomed into a hallway called pasilyo, composed of the Hall of Memories and the Rooms, both inspired by IV of Spades' personalities and discography, and are situated directly across from each other.
The Hall of Memories on the left side is a vibrant tribute to the band's catalog. It features decor sets inspired by their newest album, Andalucia, alongside major hits. From Hey Barbara to Konsensya, the unique energy and artwork of each song are vividly recaptured using diverse set pieces—ranging from actual vehicles and disco balls to custom books and cardboard props.
Right in front of it are rooms reminiscent of each member's personal creative space: a hardware-looking rhythm den for Badjao de Castro; a control room for Zild Benitez; a gallery full of clothes, records, and guitars for Blaster Silonga; and an introspective, note-plastered dreamscape area for Unique Salonga.
Adding to the excitement are the little trinkets fans can take home—personalized bracelets adorned with charms handpicked by the members, each symbolizing their unique identity, whether it’s a bass guitar, a microphone, a cassette tape, a book, or the iconic spade.
The comeback performances
Placed in a 'Sala' set, the main stage, draped in regal fabrics, exuded a cozy atmosphere as it was surrounded by scattered bean bag chairs with groups of three or four sitting around.
After a multi-screen montage of the band's journey so far, the boys finally showed up, seemingly confident and tightly-knit with Unique in tow (seven years in the making after he left for a solo career), ready to take on the world—or at least a boisterous crowd.
Making no introductions at all, Zild, Unique, Blaster, and Badjao strummed and thumped their way through an adrenaline-pumping first song, Monster.
This was followed by a breezy, upbeat Nanaman, to which the band didn't hold anything back: Zild and Unique in soothing, complementary vocals, Blaster in his electrifying guitar solos, and even Badjao in his steady touches of voice work, sending the crowd into a frenzy of screams and headbanging.
Four songs in, and just when they are about to end on a mellow note with their viral Aura, the evidently yearning audience roared for more, to which the four-piece band indulged—not in the crowd favorite Mundo—but to a whimsical, easygoing Rewind.
Andalucia, House of Spades, and the future ahead
Homey and laidback as the House of Spades was, their newest album, Andalucia, proved to be the band's favorite as they weighed in their thoughts.
"Kumpleto kaming apat. Eto na 'yung pinaka-collaborative album namin yet," Blaster said.
"Eto 'yung album na bati-bati kami," Badjao mused, referencing an earlier "tampuhan" among band members after Unique left.
The band was also all praises to the House of Spades concept, particularly the art installations featuring their songs juxtaposed to establish the different eras of their music career.
"Ang ganda as in. Parang napa-lookback kami na, 'Wow, kulang pa pala 'yung gawa namin," Zild quipped. "Masaya. Nandito na pala kami ngayon."
"Masaya kasi 'di ko inasahang ganoong event pala siya pagdating. Sobrang nagulat ako." Blaster said, also referencing the pool of fans that went to the event.
"Masaya kasi nakita uli namin 'yung mga taong nakikinig sa amin. Parang 'yun 'yung pinakamahabang set namin this year," he added.
The four-member act has nothing but gratitude to their longtime fans who stayed through their highs and lows, and even to the newly initiated listeners.
"Thank you, andiyan pa rin kayo sumu-support. Sana tumagal pa 'yan," Blaster said. "Abangan niyo pa kung ano pa gagawin namin, mapa-music man o kung anumang endeavors,"
"Thank you sa lahat ng sumusuporta hanggang ngayon. Congrats sa mga gumraduate. Malalaki na kayo," Unique quipped, referencing a joke thrown in mid-performance.
"Salamat sa paghihintay, salamat sa suporta," Badjao endearingly said.
And waiting, perhaps, the fans have to exercise a little more, for in just a month, IV of Spades will take the stage once again to prove that their fire still burns strong in the OPM scene—a two-day spectacle at the MOA Arena, with one night already sold out.
