Peace goes Indie

Neon lights flashed and vintage photos hung on the walls while the crowd jammed to indie music, and musicians made statements promoting peace through their songs—a way of reaching out for a cause, a creative, laidback approach to stand for fellow Filipinos who are experiencing a major crisis in Marawi City.

The walls of Route 196, Katipunan were filled with music last August 31 as local artists banded together to voice out their advocacy in “Jam For Peace Goes Indie,” a series of fundraising events for the victims of Marawi siege.

Recent alarming events in Mindanao stemming from the terrorism of the ISIS-linked Maute group resulted in multiple organizations making innovative efforts to provide relief and comfort for the survivors, including Jampack Music, the organizers of “Jam For Peace.”

"We want to affirm solidarity with Marawi in any way we could—be it performing for a cause, driving more funds for rehabilitation of homes and rescue, and spreading awareness about the plight of our countrymen in the South. We hope to foster a tight community through tumultuous times. We want to be there for everyone," Jampack Music’s spokesperson Tommy Tanchanco said as he claimed that it was time for musicians to use their influence and take a stand to call for peace.

Everyone was there. Acts for the night included indie sensations such as SUD, Jensen & The Flips, Ben & Ben, Lunar Lights, Brisom, Farewell Fairweather, The Ransom Collective and Telegrama, who performed with Silent Sanctuary’s frontman, Sarkie Sarangay.

Fairwell Fairweather opened up the stage with a clash and bang, followed by Lunar Lights and the ethereal vibes carried on until SUD’s last lingering notes for the night.

Every band offered melodies in hopes to promote harmony for Marawi, with everyone singing along to heart-memorized songs from The Ransom Collective’s “Fools” to Lunar Light’s “If I’m Wrong.”

As the night ended young, feelings of elation dug themselves permanent into memories and made their ways into tweets and posts of photographs with the hashtag #ParaSaMarawi, not forgetting the cause of the event and the messages instilled by their favorite artists.

The funds collected from the shows will be used by beneficiaries such as Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement and Young Moro Professionals Network to provide help for the people of Marawi.