Members of Playback Jukebox, from left Paco Arespacochaga, Benjie Collantes, and JJ Buencamino, who continue to bring their brand of live entertainment to audiences worldwide. Photo courtesy of Playback Jukebox social media
For many Filipinos, the songs of INTRoVOYS were more than chart-topping hits. They became part of life’s soundtrack, songs played on radios during long drives, written in notebooks from memorized lyrics, and sung across generations.
From "Line to Heaven" to "Kailanman" and "Will I Survive," the band helped define an era of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), leaving a legacy that continues to resonate with Filipino audiences around the world.
Now, former INTRoVOYS members Paco Arespacochaga and JJ Buencamino, together with vocalist Benjie Collantes, are writing a different chapter through Playback Jukebox, a trio that has built its identity around high-energy performances and cross-generational appeal, proving that reinvention in music is not only possible, but necessary.
But for the group, this is not about reviving the past.
“We’re not bringing it back. We’re just playing what people want to hear,” Arespacochaga said.
Formed in 2022, Playback Jukebox has steadily grown into a global live act, performing in venues across different countries and building an audience that extends beyond longtime OPM listeners.
For a band rooted in decades of music experience, one surprise has been the kind of audience showing up.
While many might expect mostly fans from the INTRoVOYS era, Arespacochaga said younger listeners have also embraced their performances.
“Music has come full circle,” he said, noting how sounds inspired by the 1980s and 1990s are finding renewed appreciation among younger generations.
For Collantes, whose vocals help anchor the group’s performances, versatility is central to Playback Jukebox’s appeal. “It’s a mix of good old ’80s, ’90s, and also new hits. And we’re cooking a lot of good original music,” he said.
That approach has helped Playback Jukebox build an identity beyond nostalgia.
'Ultimate music experience'
Playback Jukebox brands itself as “The Ultimate Music Experience,” a bold title the band says comes with responsibility.
For Arespacochaga, the name was not chosen lightly. He said the group had to fully commit to delivering exactly what that promise meant: good music, high energy, and a live performance audiences would remember.
Their concerts are built not simply around performing songs, but around creating an atmosphere where audiences sing, dance, and leave feeling they experienced something more than a typical show.
Buencamino said that commitment remains the same wherever they perform. “We make sure that people get what they deserve na entertainment,” he said.
For Collantes, the reward is immediate. “To see people dance and sing with us, that’s very rewarding,” he said.
The trio often performs extended sets lasting more than two hours, sustaining the kind of energy they say defines the Playback Jukebox experience.
New chapter
For Arespacochaga, Playback Jukebox represents more than another band. It reflects a personal and creative turning point after decades associated with one of OPM’s most recognizable acts.
“After 40 years, I just put it to bed,” he said, referring to his chapter tied to INTRoVOYS.
But rather than viewing that transition as an ending, he sees it as evolution. “Instead of waiting for something to happen, the three of us decided to move on,” he said.
The shift reflects a broader reality in the music industry, where artists often face difficult decisions about reinvention.
Arespacochaga pointed to how established artists and bands eventually pivot to new creative directions, saying growth sometimes means knowing when to move forward.
If INTRoVOYS represented one chapter of ambition, Playback Jukebox represents something more collaborative.
Arespacochaga said one of the most meaningful differences is the sense of shared purpose among the trio. “With INTRoVOYS, it was my dream,” he said. “With Playback Jukebox, I found two other people who share that same dream.”
That sense of shared vision, he said, has made the journey lighter and more fulfilling. “If I’m tired, they keep going. If they’re tired, I keep going,” he said, describing the balance within the group.
For veteran musicians navigating an ever-changing entertainment landscape, that kind of chemistry can be just as important as talent.
Changing industry
The music world today looks vastly different from the era of albums, cassette tapes, and radio countdowns. Streaming platforms, social media, and short-form content have dramatically changed how audiences consume music.
Arespacochaga acknowledged that reality. “Now, the audience attention span is very short,” he said.
Rather than resisting those changes, Playback Jukebox says it chooses to adapt while preserving the heart of live performance. That means embracing newer ways of reaching audiences while staying grounded in the connection that happens on stage.
For artists who have spent decades in music, longevity often becomes part of the story.
But for Playback Jukebox, the bigger message goes beyond surviving changing trends or maintaining relevance. It is about staying true to the passion that first made them artists.
Arespacochaga said age should never define what a person can continue to pursue. “If middle-aged men can do it, people like you can do it more,” he said.
For longtime fans, seeing familiar names continue to perform brings nostalgia. But for younger audiences, Playback Jukebox offers something else entirely: proof that reinvention is always possible.
Because for this trio, music is no longer about recreating what once was. It is about continuing to create, continuing to connect, and continuing to prove that passion does not fade with time. It simply finds a new stage.
And for Playback Jukebox, that stage is still very much alive.