December Avenue is a 5-piece indie pop/alternative rock band from Manila, Philippines known for their viral compositions online.[1][2] The band is one of the most streamed OPM bands of all-time. The band is composed of Zel Bautista on vocals and guitars, Jem Manuel on guitars, Don Gregorio on bass, Jet Danao on drums and backing vocals, and Gelo Cruz on keyboards and backing vocals.
Bautista, Manuel, Gregorio, and Danao started out in their alma mater University of Santo Tomas in 2007. Cruz, an alumnus of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, was later added in 2016. Bautista is the chief composer of the band. Originally known for their predominantly English songs, the band has released Tagalog songs since 2016.
Career
2007–2015: Formation
December Avenue began as a college band in their alma mater University of Santo Tomas in 2007.[3][4] All students of UST's Conservatory of Music, it featured Zel Bautista on vocals and guitar, Jem Manuel on lead guitar, Don Gregorio on bass and Jet Danao on drums.[5] Their name, December, Avenue, is based on the music they want to make, helping people move on in life with December "being the last month" and an avenue "toward a new year".[6] In 2009, they performed at the "Pilipino:Kaya Natin Ito" concert that raised funds for Gawad Kalinga.[7]
Their first song "Time to Go" was released. That single helped them break into the mainstream and they started getting more gigs, mostly in the underground scene.[6][8] However, in their early years, they earned little from their gigs, and often had to fund themselves.[9]
2016–2018: Breakthrough and December Avenue
In February of 2016, December Avenue released their first full-length, self-titled album.[10] One of the songs from that album, "Eroplanong Papel", became one of their most famous singles. They also added Gelo Cruz on keyboards that year and released "Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig", which boosted their fanbase and became one of their most defining singles. During this time, they started writing more songs in Tagalog.[8] They ended the year with their first headlining concert in Greenhills that featured guests such as Clara Benin, as well as Gabby Alipe and John Dinopol of Urbandub.[6] The concert sold out in a few days.[11]
In 2018, December Avenue collaborated with Gracenote and Autotelic for the single "Summer Song". The song was used for 7-Eleven's summer campaign.[12] They then released several singles including "Bulong", a song on mental health, and "Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw", their collaboration with Moira dela Torre.[13][14] "Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw" and their song "Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig" were featured in the film Hello Love, Goodbye.[9]
2019–present: Langit Mong Bughaw
In 2019, December Avenue recorded the song "Magkunwari ('Di Man Tayo)" for the GMA series TODA One I Love.[15] They also featured on the soundtrack for the indie film Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon with "Huling Sandali".[16] For 2019, they were named as the most streamed artist on Spotify for the Philippines. They are the first Filipino act to top Spotify Wrapped, with "Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw" claiming the top spot as the Most Streamed Track for 2019.[17] At the end of the year, they released their second album Langit Mong Bughaw on December 20.[18]
After the release of their album, December Avenue performed with Boyce Avenue and I Belong to the Zoo during Boyce Avenue's concert on February 14, 2020.[19] On April 5, December Avenue launched the single "Bakas Ng Talampakan", which was a tribute to Bautista's dog.[20] They were then featured on Rico Blanco's tribute album "Rico Blanco Songbook" with a cover of "Umaaraw, Umuulan".[21]
On May 19, 2021, the band released their single "Drive", which featured R&B sounds.[22] It was followed by the release of "Isang Himala" on August 7.[23] They then performed at the Expo 2020 Dubai, then went on a US tour alongside Zack Tabudlo.[24][25] After their tour, they released a new single "Saksi Ang Langit", which differed from their previous work due to its more uplifting sound.[26]
In February 2023, it was announced that their album Langit Mong Bughaw had become the most streamed Filipino album of all-time on Spotify, with over 720 million streams.[27] Soon after, December Avenue released a single "Ilang Beses Kitang Mamahalin".[28] They also went on tour in several major cities of Australia and New Zealand.[3] On June 30, they released their collaboration with Belle Mariano "Wala Nang Iba".[29] To close out the year, they released the song "In My Arms Is Where I’ll Keep You", a tribute to Bautista's partner.[27]
For 2024, December Avenue was supposed to hold their 15th anniversary concert initially scheduled for February 11.[30] That was postponed to August 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.[31] In between dates, they released "Face of God".[32] Another international tour was announced before their anniversary concert.[9] The concert, entitled "Sa Ilalim Ng Mga Bituin : December Avenue Concert", sold out and featured Barbie Almalbis as a special guest.[31]
According to them, the songs they write are for helping people move on in life.[6] They are based on their real-life experiences.[4] Their lyrics are honest and sentimental, yet optimistic. Although they are known for songs about "life and loss", they also want to cover more inspirational and hopeful themes in their future projects.[33]
Members
From left to right: Jem Manuel, Jet Danao, Zel Bautista, Gelo Cruz, and Don Gregorio
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