&FRIENDS Festival
| &FRIENDS Festival | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | EDM, Pop, Hip hop |
| Venue | Okada Manila |
| Locations | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Years active | 2025–present |
| Founders | Justin Banusing (Clouted) |
| Website | andfriends |
&FRIENDS Festival is a music and pop culture festival held in Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival features electronic dance music concerts, gaming events, and content creator conventions. Clouted, a company led by CEO Justin Banusing, organizes the event. It uses multiple stages for international headliners, regional Asian artists, and local Filipino talent.
History
Inaugural Festival (May 2025)
The first &FRIENDS Festival took place on May 30 and 31, 2025, at Okada Manila.[1][2][3] In January 2025, organizers announced that Zedd would headline the event.[4][5] Later that month, they confirmed Canadian rapper bbno$ as the headliner for the second night.[6] Zedd's performance was his first in the Philippines in three years while bbno$'s performance was his first ever in the Philippines.[7][8]
The event combined music, gaming, and creator culture.[9] The festival used different areas within the hotel complex, including the Cove Manila and the Crystal Pavilion.[1] The lineup had over 50 artists.[10] Illenium made his Manila performance debut at the event.[11] Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon (DJ HYO) also performed.[12] The festival also had an OPM Spotlight for Filipino musicians.[10] Performers included Ylona Garcia, Amiel Sol, and Kiyo.[13]
Halloween Festival (October 2025)
A second edition, called the &FRIENDS Halloween Festival, happened on October 31, 2025 at Okada Manila.[14] Reports described the event as a mix of a festival and a destination wedding. The lineup featured Asian electronic music artists, including Knock2, Dabin, Beauz, and Sabai.[15]
Festival 2026 (June 2026)
A third edition, called the &FRIENDS Festival 2026, is scheduled to happen on June 19 and 20, 2026 at Okada Manila. Its lineup features electronic music artists, headlined by Galantis, Porter Robinson, Subtronics, and Yellow Claw.[16]
Program and facilities
The festival uses multiple stages and areas[1]
- Cove Stage: The main stage for headline acts.[13]
- Creator Stage: A stage for panels, K-Pop raves, and local OPM artists[10]
- Friendship Stage: An area for DJ collectives and Asian underground music[12]
The event also hosts a "Creator Expo" with internet personalities.[17] Guests have included VTubers Ironmouse and Shoto, along with gamers and lifestyle vloggers.[18] The venue includes space for cosplay and merchandise booths.[9]
Reception
Billboard Philippines reviewed the first festival. The review noted the crowd's interest in EDM but mentioned logistical issues. It cited long walking times between stages and limited food options.[1] Rappler wrote that the event allowed attendees to experience music, gaming, and Internet culture together.[9]
Justin Banusing, the CEO of the organizer, said the event aimed to "merge global energy with local culture." Reports stated that international visitors made up more than one-third of the attendees of the Halloween edition.[15]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Saenz, Rome (June 2, 2025). "A Rave To Remember: &Friends Festival Hits Manila – Review". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Here's what to expect in pop culture festival '&FRIENDS'". Rappler. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Pareño, Elijah (May 14, 2025). "&FRIENDS Festival Celebrates Music and Online Culture in Manila". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Zedd returns to Manila for &FRIENDS Festival". GMA Network. January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Tomorrowland of Manila: Zedd, Illenium, bbno$ and more headline '&FRIENDS Festival' in May". GMA Network. March 10, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Saenz, Gabriel (January 30, 2025). "bbno$ To Headline The Upcoming '&FRIENDS' Pop Culture and Music Festival". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Zedd headlines &FRIENDS Festival in May". ABS-CBN News. March 25, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Saulog, Gabriel (January 30, 2025). "bbno$ To Headline The Upcoming '&FRIENDS' Pop Culture and Music Festival". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "IN PHOTOS: How &FRIENDS Festival brought internet culture IRL". Rappler. June 21, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "&FRIENDS Festival welcomes over 60 EDM superstars, content creators – and counting – for epic music and pop culture experience". The Philippine Star. April 14, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Zedd, ILLENIUM, bbno$ and more to headline &Friends Festival". ABS-CBN News. May 29, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- 1 2 "Hyoyeon joins &FRIENDS Festival lineup with Zedd, ILLENIUM, bbno$ and more this May". BusinessMirror. May 24, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- 1 2 "One Music PH Playlist: Tomorrowland of Manila—Zedd and Illenium Headline &FRIENDS Festival in May". ABS-CBN. May 29, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "&FRIENDS Festival Returns for Manila's Biggest Halloween Party at Okada Manila". When In Manila. August 27, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- 1 2 "&Friends Halloween Festival fills Manila's skyline with a sold-out crowd". MYX Global. November 19, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Porter Robinson, Subtronics and More to Headline &FRIENDS Festival 2026". edm.com. March 30, 2026. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ "EDM Lovers Get To See Zedd Again And Here's All You Need To Know About The Festival". Metro.Style. April 14, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ "&FRIENDS Festival Brings Zedd, bbno$, Ylona Garcia, and More Pop Culture Icons to Manila". When In Manila. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.