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,” says Justin Banusing, CEO of Clout Kitchen. “We want to be the reason someone discovers their new favorite artist from across the region. That’s what this festival is for.”
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,” 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.”
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 Friendship Stage, each offering its own distinct vibe.
2-Day Tickets that include entry to both days, are at Php 8,500 for General Admission and Php 15,000 for VIP.
Solo day tickets start at Php 6,000 for Day 1, with Zedd, €URO TRA$H, Kiara, Fairlane b2b Siangyoo and more EDM acts. Day 2 starts at Php 3,500, headlined by bbno$, ILLENIUM, and Seven Lions.
VVIP Cabanas are officially sold out.
&FRIENDS Festival is powered by LastDrop.
About &FRIENDS:
&FRIENDS is a lifestyle + events brand by Clout Kitchen that celebrates Gen Z pop culture, the creators leading the charge, and the communities around them. A gateway between East and West, &FRIENDS Festival brings the world's biggest names to Asia while giving local rising stars a global spotlight.
About Clout Kitchen:
Clout Kitchen is a startup that crafts unique, creator-powered tech and experiences that unlock infinite fun and possibilities for creators and their communities. Headquartered in Los Angeles and Manila, Clout Kitchen is backed by world-class investors like a16z Games and AppWorks. Learn more at cloutkitchen.net.
About LastDrop:
LastDrop is an all-in-one marketing app for music artists and content creators that puts fan outreach, engagement, and social growth on autopilot.
NCT’s Jaehyun lends his signature smooth, expressive vocals to Emotional Oranges’ latest single, "Call It Off," a track that previews the alt-R&B duo’s upcoming debut album, "Orenjii," set for release on May 16.
While in the military, Jaehyun expands his global reach with this collaboration, blending seamlessly into Emotional Oranges’ rich, groove-infused soundscape. His contribution adds a refreshing layer of intimacy and cross-cultural depth, making "Call It Off" one of the most anticipated moments of “Orenjii.”
Azad of Emotional Oranges shared that the connection with Jaehyun dates back to 2024, when they first collaborated on Jaehyun’s solo project, "Flamin' Hot Lemon." Azad recalled the meeting, saying, "It was ill to get to know someone who grew up on the other side of the world but influenced by similar things."
Both artists bonded over a shared admiration for '90s boy bands and R&B/pop acts — a synergy that naturally carried over into "Call It Off." Reflecting on the vibe of the track, Azad added, "This one is giving Popstar Papi 2stepping in Seoul energy LOLLLL. Sending lots of love to my boy and can't wait until he gets out of the army so we can celebrate!"
In "Call It Off," Jaehyun’s soaring voice perfectly complements the mellow yet infectious groove crafted by A+V of Emotional Oranges, creating a song that feels both globally relevant and deeply personal.
Emotional Oranges described “Orenjii” as a project rooted in "juxtaposition," aiming to "blend worlds that typically don't belong together" — a mission that Jaehyun’s presence on the track brilliantly fulfills.
