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| (Image Source: Corner Magazine PH/Clout Kitchen) |
Set in the heart of Manila, &FRIENDS Festival is redefining what it means to be a destination music experience in Southeast Asia. On May 30-31, 2025 at Okada Manila, global superstars and Asia’s rising artists come together to celebrate music that’s beyond borders. The &FRIENDS Festival lineup consists of global EDM stars who have played some of the world’s biggest festivals including Coachella, Tomorrowland, and EDC Las Vegas.
Fresh off a historic set at Coachella, Grammy-winning EDM powerhouse Zedd is making a triumphant return to Manila after nearly 3 years. Billboard-charting producer ILLENIUM and genre-defying rapper bbno$ are also set to perform in Manila for the first time. They’re joined by melodic dubstep creator Seven Lions and dynamic Dutch duo €URO TRA$H, setting the tone for a weekend of unforgettable musical experiences. The festival champions a diverse roster of rising Asian artists: Singapore’s Kiara, Thailand’s BOTCASH, Taiwan’s RayRay, Japan’s KDH, and South Korea’s Jeonghyeon all bring their unique sounds to the stage — making &FRIENDS one of the most diverse festivals to hit Manila. Homegrown talent also takes center stage, led by Filipino-Australian superstar Ylona Garcia, returning for a homecoming performance since moving to Los Angeles to further her music career. With her bold sound and global reach, Ylona embodies the new generation of Filipino artists making waves on the world stage. Alongside her are Amiel Sol, whose indie-pop tracks have earned a loyal following, and Kiyo, known for his lo-fi sound and lyrical storytelling. Local collectives such as Orange Juice Asia and Contrast round out the list, bringing a unique wave of Filipino creativity to the spotlight.
“&FRIENDS is where the next generation of Asian artists gets to shine next to their heroes. We want to be the reason someone discovers their new favorite artist from across the region. That’s what this festival is for,” says Clout Kitchen CEO Justin Banusing. As &FRIENDS Festival may serve as many attendees’ first introduction to OPM, the event not only brings EDM to Manila, but bridges Filipino culture to the entire region. “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. 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,” says Ylona Garcia. The festival transforms Okada Manila into a multi-stage experience where fans can explore everything from high-energy EDM to experimental beats and live vocals across the Cove Stage, the Creator Stage, and the Plume Friendship Stage, each offering its own distinct vibe.
May 30, 2025 (Friday)
● Cove Stage: Zedd headlines alongside €URO TRA$H, RayRay, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo, Kiara, Hoang, and more.
● Creator Stage: The night turns into a K-Pop Rave presented by HIDDEN NIGHTS, with 2Spade, Hoaprox, and Foxela, and more spinning K-wave hits with an EDM twist.
● Plume Friendship Stage: DJ collectives Restored Bass and EKO&FRIENDS take over for a night of Asian underground music.
May 31, 2025 (Saturday)
● Cove Stage: ILLENIUM and bbno$ make their Manila debuts, along with Seven Lions, 2Spade, Jeonghyeon b2b KDH, Hoang b2b MVSE, NGHTSHIFT, Caden, Orange Juice Asia, and more.
● Creator Stage: Filipino music is front and center with the OPM Stage led by Ylona Garcia, joined by Amiel Sol, Kiyo, and music-focused collectives like Orange Juice Asia and Planet Workshop, expanding the definition of what OPM can be.
● Plume Friendship Stage: Scene-shaping groups Midnight Rebels and Contrast deliver their signature style, fusing sound and community-driven culture.
2-Day Tickets that include entry to both days are at priced at Php8,500 for General Admission and Php15,000 for VIP. Solo day tickets start at Php6,000 for Day 1 with Zedd, €URO TRA$H, Kiara, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo and more EDM acts. Day 2 starts at Php3,500, headlined by bbno$, ILLENIUM, and Seven Lions. VVIP Cabanas are officially sold out though.
