&Friends Festival

&Friends Festival
StatusActive
GenreEDM, Pop, Hip hop
VenueOkada Manila
LocationsParañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines
Years active2025–present
FoundersJustin Banusing (Clout Kitchen)
Websiteandfriends.live

&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. Clout Kitchen, 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]

The event combined music, gaming, and creator culture.[7] The festival used different areas within the hotel complex, including the Cove Manila and the Crystal Pavilion.[1] The lineup had over 50 artists.[8] Illenium made his Manila performance debut at the event.[9] Girls' Generation member Hyoyeon (DJ HYO) also performed.[10]

The festival also had an "OPM Spotlight" for Filipino musicians.[8] Performers included Ylona Garcia, Amiel Sol, and Kiyo.[11] Zedd's performance was his first in the Philippines in three years.[12]

Halloween Festival (October 2025)

A second edition, called the "&Friends Halloween Festival," happened on October 31, 2025.[13] 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.[14]

Program and facilities

The festival uses multiple stages and areas.[1]

  • Cove Stage: The main stage for headline acts.[11]
  • Creator Stage: A stage for panels, K-Pop raves, and local OPM artists.[8]
  • Friendship Stage: An area for DJ collectives and Asian underground music.[10]

The event also hosts a "Creator Expo" with internet personalities.[15] Guests have included VTubers Ironmouse and Shoto, along with gamers and lifestyle vloggers.[16] The venue includes space for cosplay and merchandise booths.[7]

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.[7]

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 at the Halloween edition.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Saenz, Rome (June 2, 2025). "A Rave To Remember: &Friends Festival Hits Manila – Review". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  2. ^ "Here's what to expect in pop culture festival '&FRIENDS'". Rappler. February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  3. ^ Pareño, Elijah (May 14, 2025). "&FRIENDS Festival Celebrates Music and Online Culture in Manila". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  4. ^ "Zedd returns to Manila for &FRIENDS Festival". GMA Network. January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  5. ^ "Tomorrowland of Manila: Zedd, Illenium, bbno$ and more headline '&FRIENDS Festival' in May". GMA Network. March 10, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  6. ^ Saenz, Gabriel (January 30, 2025). "bbno$ To Headline The Upcoming '&FRIENDS' Pop Culture and Music Festival". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "IN PHOTOS: How &FRIENDS Festival brought internet culture IRL". Rappler. June 21, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c "&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.
  9. ^ "Zedd, ILLENIUM, bbno$ and more to headline &Friends Festival". ABS-CBN News. May 29, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  10. ^ a b "Hyoyeon joins &FRIENDS Festival lineup with Zedd, ILLENIUM, bbno$ and more this May". BusinessMirror. May 24, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  11. ^ a b "One Music PH Playlist: Tomorrowland of Manila—Zedd and Illenium Headline &FRIENDS Festival in May". ABS-CBN. May 29, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  12. ^ "Zedd headlines &FRIENDS Festival in May". ABS-CBN News. March 25, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  13. ^ "&FRIENDS Festival Returns for Manila's Biggest Halloween Party at Okada Manila". When In Manila. August 27, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  14. ^ a b "&Friends Halloween Festival fills Manila's skyline with a sold-out crowd". MYX Global. November 19, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "&FRIENDS Festival Brings Zedd, bbno$, Ylona Garcia, and More Pop Culture Icons to Manila". When In Manila. February 13, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
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