From cramped rehearsal rooms to international festival stages, BGYO has steadily established its presence in the P-pop scene since its debut in 2021. This time, the five-member group is about to face a defining moment as they release new music and headline their very first solo concert.
On Sept. 16, the members—Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate—faced the press at World Kitchens PH in Gateway Mall 2, opening up about the mix of nerves and excitement that comes with two big dates. Their extended play Headlines is set for release on Sept. 25, followed closely by BGYO: The First Solo Concert at the New Frontier Theater on Oct. 4.
“All five of us are nervous because it’s our first solo concert,” JL admitted. “There’s a lot of pressure, but we’re excited at the same time to showcase what we’ve learned throughout the years. We’re excited to find out who BGYO is now.”
That pressure, they explained, is balanced by preparation. Each member has their own routine before stepping on stage—individual practice, quiet reflection, and prayers that center them as one unit.
“Through time, we learned how to control the noises around us and just focus on what matters, which is our music and our growth as artists,” Akira said.
Gelo described it as muscle memory built through discipline. “When you’re prepared, it becomes automatic. Even though we have different mindsets and ideas, at the end of the day, we’re a team.”
The same focus carries over to their music. Mikki said Headlines reflects the group’s evolution from experimenting with different sounds to developing a clearer identity.
“It’s very special to us. It shows how much we’ve grown through the years and how our music has evolved,” he shared.
While much of the new project was crafted with international collaborators, he added that fans can expect more Tagalog songs in the future.
Their confidence is also fueled by recognition abroad. BGYO recently earned its second nomination for International Artist on the Rise at Brazil’s BreakTudo Awards 2025, an acknowledgment Nate called both humbling and motivating.
“We were very surprised,” he said. “It’s a good reminder and motivation for us to keep pushing because our music is being noticed internationally.”
Earlier this year, they made history as the first Filipino boy group to perform at the Summer Sonic festival in Bangkok. The experience gave them the chance to observe and learn from international acts they once only admired from afar.
“We were able to see and learn lessons on how to perform,” JL recalled. “We were also able to watch the international artists we look up to.”
For BGYO, every stage has been a step toward this moment. With Headlines about to drop and their solo concert just weeks away, the group says they’re ready to let their music and their first solo concert speak for how far they’ve come.
