Ben&Ben. Image: Courtesy of Sony Music Philippines
Ben&Ben went public to address the allegations hounding them after they were accused of causing other artists to be sidelined at events, including a recent event at Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman campus, as well as accusations hurled against them by rock band Tanya Markova.
The folk-pop band was being touted as the reason why Bicolana solo artist Dwta was unable to perform at FEU’s iTam Night 2024 last August 17. Dwta, who was initially part of the lineup, announced that she would no longer be performing due to “schedule constraints.”
On its Facebook page on Monday, August 19, , Ben&Ben sought to dismiss “baseless accusations” hounding them, saying it has besmirched their “integrity” as artists.
“It was communicated to the band’s on-ground team earlier in the day that there had been delays at the event… Upon learning about this, the management had been in constant communication with the organizers of said event,” the group said.
“And at all times, the management of the band CLEARLY expressed that it is a priority to ensure that the event goes as planned and all performers are able to perform, as we have always done in the past,” it further said.
The band also stated that it was “decided upon by the event organizers” that Dwta will no longer perform at the event, which has been “heartbreaking on the band’s end” as they ensured that “preventive measures and constant communication” took place.
“It has always been a tough challenge on the management’s end to balance our professional obligations to the organizers of the events we perform in while ensuring that the band’s fellow artists are able to perform at their agreed performance time and space. Though delays in events are unavoidable, our management exercises whichever help is needed to ensure that no artist is dropped out of the program for whatsoever reason,” Ben&Ben said.
“The band has always been passionate about fighting for artists’ rights, and even always being willing to accommodate uncertainty. And we will continue to do so. We would like to clarify that, in all events that the band performs in, it is the event organizer’s prerogative to the decisions surrounding the event,” it further said.
In their statement, the “Leaves” hitmakers also stressed that they only agree to perform in events if the program flow is followed and “no artist performance gets cancelled or moved around.”
“In the event that there are unforeseen delays, the band’s management will take the necessary steps in communicating with the organizers to ensure that no artist gets sidelined,” they added.
The organizers of the iTam Night 2024, Dwta, and Tanya Markova have yet to address Ben&Ben’s statements, as of press time.
Tanya Markova’s beef
Following the FEU event, a past KoolPals podcast resurfaced where another Filipino rock band, Tanya Markova, accused Ben&Ben of causing them to get sidelined at the Camanava grand rally of former Vice President Leni Robredo in 2022.
According to Tanya Markova, the band was supposed to be the 25th performer in the event after their set. However, the “Maybe The Night” hitmakers were suddenly bumped up to the 17th spot.
“It was never the intention nor the action of the band nor the band’s management to sideline other artists during the ‘Camanava’ grand rally. It was the responsibility of the organizers to take accountability for the logistical mishaps of the said event. The band itself was also a victim of the unforeseen delays, as with Tanya Markova and the other groups,” Ben&Ben said in a separate Facebook post.
Ben&Ben pointed out that they “sent a message” to Tanya Markova and “other involved parties” involved in the incident, saying they made an effort to reach out and apologize on behalf of the organizers.
“As early as the next few days after the event, the band had gone to the extent of scheduling a meeting with the parties involved, and apologizing on behalf of the organizers, even if the band had no decision-making authority in the sequence of events,” Ben&Be said.
“The band had taken the extra steps of reaching out not only to Tanya Markova, but to all the other affected performers, even if it was the responsibility of the organizers of the event to own up and be accountable,” it insisted.
In their statement, the band stated that they have “screenshots and receipts” as proof.
“We have screenshots and receipts as proof of this. Furthermore, we condemn the use of homophobic slur as a means of insult and discrimination. In all this, we hope this finally brings truth out, and holds the right parties accountable,” they said.