From Nostalgia to Now: How Kitchie Nadal’s ‘New Ground’ Felt Like a Hug From the 2000s

Kitchie Nadal’s New Ground Concert felt less like a spectacle and more like a trip down memory lane: to your classroom jam sessions, to your tita’s birthday party, or to your childhood karaoke sessions. But all rolled into one because you're belting out every lyric like reliving your first heartbreak.  

Photos courtesy of Rafa Villon

Last June 21 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, the OPM legend transformed the stage into the ultimate Filipino family reunion, proving that she’s not just the queen of Pinoy Rock, but the nation’s coolest tita. Complete with beso-beso, teasing Tita-core banters, and a new generation of inaanaks singing along like they grew up on Same Ground. Still can’t move on? Neither can we.

Strings Slaps to Relapse

The violin hits first, and even before Kitchie appeared, the nostalgia kicked in, telling you “handa ka na bang masaktan ulit?” Then Kitchie appeared, singing in perfect sync with the haunting melody by Princess Ybañez, and the whole Araneta knew: we were in for a throwback that cuts deep. 

New Artists for New Ground

Kitchie didn’t just share the stage, she passed the videoke mic matapos paakyatin ang buong barangay. Zild Benitez turned his song "Kyusi" and Kitchie’s "Fire" into a seamless generational handshake, while Skusta Clee jumped between rap and rock like he’d been waiting for this kind of jam session all along. KAIA’s medley of classic OPM hits felt like younger cousins from P-pop proudly showing they know their roots. 

But despite welcoming the new generations of musicians, Kitchie did not forget to look back and invited her fellow alternative rock icon and friend Barbie Almalbis to perform  "Torpe" and "Iniibig Kita" which was that emotional moment when a beloved tita arrives—dala ang ensaymada at all the feels. More than just your regular lineup, this was a classic Filipino celebration of OPM across generations. 

Brought the Kilig, Stole Some Hearts

Just when we thought the night peaked, Arthur Nery made a surprise appearance and strolled down from the stage like the favorite pamangkin who finally made it to the reunion. He made beso, waved, and charmed the crowd before joining Kitchie for “Maging Sino Ka Man.” 

Kitchie watching him sing his part felt like a classic Tita energy of sizing you up and asking, “may jowa ka na ba?” Turns out, we didn’t need to guess. Mid-duet, he yelled back “I love you too!” at a fan who shouted their confession—kilig na kilig si ate sa sixth row. 

Kitchie’s Karaoke Medley

You didn’t need to know every lyric. Just one strum of “Bulong” played, and it was like Kitchie whispering “sabay sabay tayong mag-rerelapse,” which the whole arena responded. “Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin” and “Same Ground” became full-blown barkada therapy sessions where emotions hightened, voices raised, and yes, may sisig sa Table 7 energy.

It was the perfect outro to a Filipino gathering where voices blend like family, warmth is passed around like pulutan, and music becomes the common language that reminds us who we are and where we come from.

This wasn’t just a concert. It was a generational hug.