From being a duo to a full band known for poetic lyrics and heartfelt melodies, Ben&Ben have had quite the journey. 

The OPM folk-pop stalwarts were launched into the national consciousness with songs like “Leaves” and “Kathang Isip” (whose intimate strumming never fails to hit our emotional sweet spot). They’ve also held massive concerts over the years. They’ve not only topped the charts and bagged several awards, but they’ve also become a cultural touchstone — offering music that resonates with millions. Just imagine a 65,000-strong crowd singing along to one of their hit songs “Araw-Araw.” Moments like this prove how their musical prowess can fill the biggest of stages in the country.

Though the nine-piece has long been a fixture in the OPM scene, they continue to reinvent their journey. “The Traveller Across Dimensions” — their third full-length album — marks an evolution from their signature sound, offering an immersive experience. The concept album is a tale of personal growth and the struggle to find inner peace. And this latest endeavor from the band is a bold step into multimedia, where music, animation, and narrative combine into a delicate art form.

In commemoration of this record, the band held an album concert on December 14 last year at the Mall of Asia Arena. This year, their upcoming local and international tour (which starts in April), will be one of the band’s most ambitious projects to date. 

During their recent Roadshow appearance, Ben&Ben discussed their upcoming tour, their new single “Tomorrow With You,” and more.

Let's zero in on your latest musical offering, “Tomorrow With You.” Can you talk more about it?

Paolo: The new album is called “The Traveller Across Dimensions.” There are 12 tracks in it, plus one intro track. So “Tomorrow With You,” actually, is [a] part of the new album… We did have like a couple of singles when we just released the album. But for 2025 talaga, I would say [the] carrier single ng album is “Tomorrow With You.”

“Tomorrow With You” is a song na, ano siya, kakantahin mo siya kapag ‘yung taong kinakantahan mo, sasamahan ka sa hirap at ginhawa.

You’ve grown together — not only musically, but also as individuals. Can you tell us what you’re grateful to each other for?

Andrew: I think it's just such a unique experience to grow up very closely with a big group. Like, medyo malaki na ‘yung nine in general. And the stuff na pinagdaanan namin, ‘di rin siya common at all. Very unique experiences. And, 'di ba ang astig ‘pag may pinagdaanan kang special with a person one time? E, pinagdaanan namin, the past eight years, seven years — [ang] dami. So, it's nice seeing everyone's life phases move forward, and everyone growing. Same, same, but different.

You guys have different approaches in your artistry and you have different creative ideas. Do you ever bump heads, though?

Paolo: I think bumping heads is what's actually beautiful about being in a band.

Kasi ‘yung masaya sa banda, ano, hindi lang kayo tumutugtog nang magkakasama. Gumagawa kayo ng music nang magkakasama. At kasama dun ‘yung banggaan. Kasi kumbaga, meron akong idea at meron siyang idea, ang mananalo actually — hindi isang tao ‘yung mananalo. ‘Yung pinakamagandang idea na pinagsama-sama, ‘yun ‘yung mananalo. Kaya ‘yun ‘yung masaya pag nagbanda. 

Pagkatapos, natutugtog niyo pa siyang magkakasama. So, astig lang. And  we feel blessed na we've been able to do it for 8 solid years.

You are back on board the Wish 107.5 Bus and everybody's well aware of the fact that you have performed for the first time during your early years. It's totally different now. How does it feel to have a full-circle moment right here?

Paolo: Alam niyo, sobrang nagpapasalamat lang kami kasi, ‘yun nga, it's been such a great journey so far. And whenever we see na nakikinig ‘yung mga tao sa music namin, ang sarap lang kasi parang astig din naman to make music and to play for each other. But when you know na ‘yung mga kanta ay nagiging bahagi siya ng buhay ng ibat-ibang klaseng tao — whether nakinig ka sa amin eight years ago ‘nung nagsisimula kami or kaka-discover mo lang ng music namin ngayon — parang, ‘yung fact na nagko-connect ‘yung music sa mga nakikinig, is something we'll never take for granted. Sobrang nagpapasalamat kami. Thank you guys! Salamat sa inyo!

If we may ask, which song is your favorite to perform live?

Paolo: Usually ang automatic answer, ‘yung pinakabago namin kasi parang ‘yun ‘yung excited kaming tugtugin na for the first time. 

Also, depending on our mood minsan. Kunwari ‘yung “Susunod na Habang Buhay,” favorite namin tugtugin ‘yun. ‘Yung “Ride Home” palagi kasi usually last song namin ‘yung “Ride Home.” “Araw-araw,” “Langyang Pag-ibig,” and recently ang favorite din namin tugtugin ‘yung sa bagong album kasi ‘yun ‘yung mga pinakabago naming kanta.

What can your fans expect this 2025?

Paolo: This 2025, we will be on tour... Mag-to-tour kami sa buong Pilipinas, so abangan niyo ‘yung mga dates. Abangan niyo ‘yung announcement namin. We can't wait to see you guys and present to you our newest album, “The Traveller Across Dimensions.”

Meron din kaming mga nilulutong collaboration. So abangan niyo.

The nine-piece Filipino indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben comprises Paolo and Miguel Benjamin Guico (lead vocals and acoustic guitars), Poch Barretto (electric guitar), Keifer Cabugao (violin), Patricia Lasaten (keyboards), Toni Muñoz (percussion), Andrew de Pano (percussion), Agnes Reoma (bass guitar), and Jam Villanueva (drums). 

Watch our full Roadshow Interview with Ben&Ben below:

READ NEXT: ‘Wish Date: Endless’ Proves the Concert Series’ Enduring Allure – A Review

Editor’s Note: Minor edits have been made to the interview for clarity and grammatical accuracy.