On May 30 and 31, &FRIENDS Festival 2025 transformed Okada Manila into a neon-drenched, genre-busting celebration of music, culture, and community.
With EDM headliners, rising local talent, and a mashup of cosplay, sneaker drops, and creator culture, this was more than just a party—it was a manifesto. From backstage interviews to mainstage explosions, the festival captured a generation on the move.
A sonic surge: Day One highlights
Day one launched across four distinct zones: the Main Stage, Creator Stage, Friendship Stage, and the Expo area. Festivalgoers in LED rave gear and anime cosplay filled the grounds early, hyped for a stacked lineup.
Zedd headlined the night with an explosive set featuring “Clarity,” “Stay,” and “The Middle,” turning Okada into a sea of lights and voices.
Earlier performances set the tone. DJ BOTCASH dropped a dubstep remix of “Dilaw” and electrified the crowd with a surprise guitar solo. Kiara delivered a Lady Gaga-heavy set laced with EDM drops, sharing with PGMN that she intentionally built sing-along moments for Filipino fans.
Canadian producer Fairlane and Thailand’s Siangyoo closed the night with a B2B set blending styles—and cultures. “It’s about creating something new together,” Fairlane said. “And Manila is the perfect place for that.”
Local pulse, global vibe: Day Two delivers
The second day balanced global flair with Filipino pride. BBNO$ made his Philippine debut with a crowd-hyping set capped by “Lalala” and “Edamame.” Homegrown acts Ylona Garcia, Kiyo, Barq, and Amiel delivered standout performances—Ylona’s “Vibin” lit up the venue, while Amiel’s ballad ended in a heartfelt crowd chorus
Taiwan’s RayRay and Korea’s DJ Soda delivered high-octane DJ sets, with trap, hardstyle, and surprise K-pop edits energizing fans. Cosplayers, vloggers, and sneakerheads continued turning the venue into a cultural playground.
The Creator Stage hosted fan contests and creator meetups, while food stalls kept the energy flowing with everything from matcha soft serve to Filipino street food.
What &FRIENDS Festival 2025 proved
With over 50 acts and thousands in attendance, &FRIENDS was more than a music festival—it was a full-blown cultural experience.
The two-day event proved that Filipino youth can take the global playbook and remix it with fearless local flavor. It was loud, chaotic, joyful, and unapologetically ours.
