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40 local acts as important as Red Hot Chili Peppers, say fest organizer

11 foreign acts also at the the 2-day fest in Clark, Pampanga

Founding Red Hot Chili Peppers members Anthony Kiedis and Flea (Getty Images)

Red Hot Chili Peppers may be the top-tier attraction at the first first-ever 7107 International Music Festival set in Clark, Pampanga on February 22 and 23, but the festival’s executive producer Tina Herrera has other ideas, too.

“We want to push our artists to the rest of the world and send the message that they can be viewed side by side with international artists,” she said during the 7107 press launch held recently at Aracama Filipino Cuisine at the The Fort Strip in Taguig.

Local artists set to appear at the festival include Up Dharma Down, Kjwan, Radioactive Sago Project, Sponge Cola, Abra & Loonie, Taken By Cars, Itchyworms, Techy Romantics, The Sleepyheads, Hidden Nikki and at least 30 more acts.

 

A raft of foreign acts

Aside from RHCP, foreign guest artists include Aussie electronic duo Empire of the Sun, rapper and 2014 Grammy nominee Kendrick Lamar, DJ Kaskade, the Florida-based alt band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, punky electro singer-songwriter Luciana, Danish pop group The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, LA rapper Kid Ink, EDM record producer Reid Stefan, and DJs Avaro and DJ Riddler, and the UK alt band Natives.

“I want everyone to experience something all the other countries have and now we can have access to,” Herrera said.

The main draw, however, remains RHCP, who will take the stage on Day 2 (February 23, Sunday) of the festival, which will be held at the state-of-the-art compound called Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark, Pampanga.

 

RHCP one of top five requested

“Red Hot Chili Peppers is always one of the top five bands requested for in the Philippines. We are lucky we were able to get them in,” said Herrera.

When asked what attracted the group to joining the said festival, she said, “They’re into festivals and that might have played the role as a come on. But I guess the way we prepared this event and how we presented it to them made them consider it and put the idea into account when they decided to go for it.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recipient, led by founding members singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea, is legendary when it comes to live shows, bringing a truckload of energy into their performances that’s been described as “phenomenal,” “celebratory” and “explosive.”

Their legendary status is largely made possible by a string of hit songs like “Soul to Squeeze,” “Under the Bridge,” “Scar Tissue,” “By the Way,” “Californication,” Can’t Stop,” “Otherside,” “Give It Away,” among others.

 

App to track acts

The organizers also developed a smartphone app that will allow attendees to keep track of the schedule and other goings-on related to the event.

Festival co-founder and producer Mike Pio Rada explained, “Because there are two separate stages in the event, having this app makes it easier to track the bands you don’t want to miss, where they’ll be, which stage, and at what time.”

As of this writing, 65 percent of the tickets have been sold. Fans from other countries like the USA, Germany, Spain, Australia, and Canada have already purchased tickets.

More than 20,000 fans from around the globe are expected to join the music festival, which is envisioned to be an annual gathering.

 

Tickets to the 7107 International Music Festival on February 22 and 23 at Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark, Pampanga are priced at P10,000 (2-day general admission pass), P25,000 (2-day VIP pass), P5500 (Saturday only), P6500 (Sunday only, with Red Hot Chili Peppers). Tickets are available online or check out additional ticketing info. For promos and updates, go to the 7107 music fest Facebook or visit the website.