Once upon a time, Filipinos dreamed of seeing their favorite acts live—flying out to Singapore, Tokyo, or Los Angeles to experience the kind of festival magic that felt too big for home.
But today, that narrative is changing. And it’s happening fast.
With the rise of multi-day music and pop culture experiences like &FRIENDS Festival—set for May 30–31, 2025 at Cove Manila in Okada—the Philippines is boldly stepping into the global spotlight. No longer just a tour stop. But a destination.
The New Sound of Manila
View this post on Instagram
Once upon a time, Filipinos dreamed of seeing their favorite acts live—flying out to Singapore, Tokyo, or Los Angeles to experience the kind of festival magic that felt too big for home.
But today, that narrative is changing. And it’s happening fast.
With the rise of multi-day music and pop culture experiences like &FRIENDS Festival—set for May 30–31, 2025 at Cove Manila in Okada—the Philippines is boldly stepping into the global spotlight. No longer just a tour stop. But a destination.
The New Sound of Manila
From the return of Zedd to the Philippine debut of ILLENIUM, Seven Lions, and bbno$, &FRIENDS is pulling together a lineup that wouldn’t feel out of place at Coachella or Tomorrowland. These are acts who regularly headline the world’s biggest stages—and now, they’re coming to Manila to do something different.
They’re not just performing. They’re building community.
And the numbers prove it—over 60 performers and creators, two nights of full-scale production, genre-bending sets, and a creator expo that rivals fan cons across Asia.
The Philippines has never hosted a music festival quite like this. And yet, it feels like we’ve been ready for it all along.
A City Rewriting the Playbook
View this post on Instagram
For years, Manila’s concert scene was defined by one-night-only performances in sports arenas or open-air parking lots. Intimate. Passionate. But not quite festival scale.
Now, festivals like &FRIENDS are flipping that script. They’re not importing a format—they’re remixing it for a generation that grew up online, across fandoms, across genres. And they’re doing it in a way that feels Filipino in spirit—passionate, inclusive, joyful, and proudly bold.
“We’ve seen how festivals like Coachella, EDC, and Tomorrowland unite music lovers from all over the world, and now it’s Manila’s turn,” says Justin Banusing, CEO of Clout Kitchen, organizers of the festival. “&FRIENDS is about bringing people together—whether you’re here for the biggest names in EDM, viral popstars, or the next breakout artist, this is the festival for fans who want it all.”
It’s not just about EDM. It’s about creating a cultural moment—where the crowd dancing to Zedd is also discovering OPM. Where global creators meet local artists. Where East meets West and no one’s just a guest. Everyone’s in it.
One Festival. Multiple Worlds
Beyond the main stage, the Creator Expo takes over the Crystal Pavilion. Expect meet & greets, panels, and creator-led programming with personalities like Ironmouse, Shoto, Tuonto, and local favorites Charess and Jujumao.
Then there’s the Creator Stage After-Hours:
- May 30 transforms into a K-Pop Rave, headlined by DJs 2Spade and Hoaprox.
- May 31 brings it back home with an OPM Spotlight, led by Ylona Garcia, Amiel Sol, Kiyo, and Planet Workshop.
In a single weekend, you’ll go from festival anthems to indie intimacy—without ever leaving the city.
“Even though I moved to the USA, I still consider my music to be OPM. When the &FRIENDS team asked if I’d headline, I jumped at the opportunity to do so,” says Ylona Garcia. “I’m honored to be back in the country that I love and made me who I am today and I’m even more excited to be a part of a movement where we can all show that OPM can reach the world. Through thick and thin, I just hope to make the Philippines proud.”
About &FRIENDS and Clout Kitchen
&FRIENDS is more than just a music festival—it’s a lifestyle and events brand powered by creator culture. Built for Gen Z and by Gen Z, it brings together the world’s most influential artists, digital creators, and fan communities under one roof. With music at its core and pop culture in its DNA, &FRIENDS celebrates connection in the age of hyper-creativity and fandom.
The festival is organized by Clout Kitchen, a next-gen tech and experiences company based in Los Angeles and Manila. Backed by investors like a16z Games and AppWorks, Clout Kitchen builds creator-powered experiences and platforms—from immersive live events to tech-driven fandom activations—bridging the worlds of entertainment and digital culture. Their mission: to unlock infinite fun and possibilities for creators and communities alike.
By blending entertainment, fandom, and local pride, both &FRIENDS and Clout Kitchen are redefining what a festival means—and what Manila can become on the world stage.
The Future of Fandom is Here
Whether you’re there for the main stage energy, the artist alleys, or the creative community—there’s a place for you at &FRIENDS.
All tickets include expo access:
- GA 2-Day: ₱8,500
- VIP 2-Day: ₱15,000
- Day Passes from ₱3,500
- Expo Only from ₱500
- VVIP Cabanas (w/ bottle + butler service): Starting ₱54,000
🎟 Tickets available now at andfriends.live
The Moment Manila Has Been Waiting For
This isn’t just a festival. It’s a signpost.
A declaration that the Philippines isn’t following the culture—it’s helping shape it.
And as &FRIENDS kicks off a new era of festivals, maybe it’s time we say it aloud: Manila isn’t catching up.
We’re setting the pace.
