Supreme’s guide to the 2014 music festivals
MANILA, Philippines - The year 2013 saw foreign acts fly in in unprecedented droves, from The Killers to Avicii, Rihanna to Bloc Party, and Kesha to Tegan and Sara. This year won’t be any different. Big names like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers are expected, along with rock bands with cult followings, such as The National and Youth Lagoon.
Pinoy music fans are finally getting the music diet they deserve, with a main serving of some of the best performers in the world, and a selection of different genres and bands with fresh sounds. In a country that is used to performers that float from gig to gig, local audiences are finally being treated to audio-visual experiences.
For these things, we must thank the music festival. The popularity of overseas music fests such as Coachella and Laneway has inspired Filipinos to mount similar events with a local flavor, featuring foreign acts alongside notable local ones. The number of these fests has multipled over the recent years, with line-ups getting stronger, and stages getting bigger. We, the audience, are the winners here. By this summer, be prepared for a record six music festivals. Here’s Supreme’s guide to them all. — Pepe Diokno
7107 International Music Festival
Who: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Empire of the Sun, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Natives + over 30 local acts
When: February 22-23, 2014
Where: Global Gateway Logistics City, Clark
The damage: P10,000 for a two-day general admission pass, P25,000 for VIP (pre-sale). Tickets can be bought at the website.
The 7107 IMF is one of the new kids on the block, but it’s the cool kid from the cool town. Rumors began to float that they invited Ellie Goulding, Skrillex, Drake, Arcade Fire, and Kings of Leon, which excited people because this would be the first festival of its magnitude to happen in Manila. They revealed the first half of the lineup amidst social media frenzy. The organizers will soon make their second reveal, so there might be chances that rumors are actually true, or the real lineup will be better than what’s floating around. The music will be an eclectic mix of genres to suit all tastes, from rock to electronica.
What makes this fest extra special is that Tina Herrera, executive producer, and Mike Rio Poda, co-producer, sought the help of people who have worked on the Super Bowl halftime shows, the Oscars, the Grammys, Coachella, Ultra and Lollapalooza, so there’s no doubt it’s going to be a world-class production.
Febfest 2014: Hostess Club Manila
Who: The National, Mogwai, Warpaint, Youth Lagoon
When: February 13 and 20, 2014
Where: Metrotent Convention Center, Pasig City
The damage: February 13: P1,800 for Gold, P2,800 for VIP / February 20: P2,200 for Gold, P3,750 for VIP / two-day pass: P2,800 for Gold, P5,500 for VIP. Tickets available at Ticketworld.
Producers Random Minds have endeared themselves to indie music lovers for bringing in The xx late last year, and the group will continue to champion alt music at Febfest 2014 with The National as headliners. Febfest promises to be more subdued, with its dreamy vocals, post-rock sound, and dark and melancholic lyrics, but we can’t say the same for fans eager to get a piece of indie music. The intimate venue also guarantees heightened emotions and of course, a good view wherever you are, through the tears streaming down your face as you deal with your feels.
Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival
Who: Jose Gonzalez, Robert Glasper Experiment, Roy Ayers & Lonnie Liston Smith, Mad Professor, Osunlade, Omar, Greg Wilson, Mark De Clive-Lowe, Low Leaf, June Marieezy, Jordan Rakei, Heavy Boogie
When: February 27-March 3, 2014
Where: Puerto Galera
The damage: Depending on date of festival and date of ticket purchase, P500-P3,200 for a one-day pass / P3,600-P5,000 for a two-day pass / P6,300-P6,600 for a three-day pass
Malasimbo is the chillest of the music festival bunch, thanks in part to the grass-terraced amphitheater on the foot of Mt. Malasimbo, and the laidback jazz, soul, and funk music. The lineup normally features a healthy mix of local and international musicians, which, combined with the natural wonders of Puerto Galera, can create an intoxicating mix of music and nirvana. Add to that the Sculpture Garden, filled with installation pieces from contemporary artists, and you have a weekend of pure perfection.
In line with its nature-inspired setting, the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival is dedicated to protect and preserve the environment through reforestation, and promote the tribal culture and ethnic art of the Mangyan tribes by allowing them to present their products and teach festival-goers weaving techniques and other local crafts.
Summer Siren Festival
Who: UpDharmaDown, Franco, Taken By Cars, Techy Romantics, Pedicab, Coffee Break Island, Maude, Yolanda Moon, Pulso, Skymarines, The Zombettes, Travis Monsod, Marc Marasigan, DJ Euric, Curse & Bless, Deuce Manila, Nina Saputil, Brian Cua, Joey Santos, Niki Rojas, Silverfilter, Katsy Lee, BV, Ara Pascual, Kidwolf, Project Collab Manila, Vince Teotico, DJ Tek, DJDC, DCFER, Dj Seeya + many more
When: April 4-6, 2014
Where: Crystal Beach Resort, Zambales
The damage: TBA
If Malasimbo will take you to the earthly wonders of Mother Nature, the Summer Siren Festival will bring the music to the beach. Summer Siren has invited Filipino indie and electro-alternative acts to perform seaside, but organizers have confided to Supreme that foreign acts are also lined up and will be revealed soon. Summer Siren will promote on-shore art installations and crossfit, yoga, and poi lessons, all done with the majestic Zambales sea only a few steps away. To top it off, there will be limited-admission access to VIP yacht parties. Now, this is paradise.
* * *
Tweet the author @kojibberish.
UPNEXT
Wanderland
When: Most likely May
Last year saw the transformation of the Globe Circuit Ground from a racetrack to an outdoor venue perfect for a music festival of Wanderland’s scale. The producers brought in The Temper Trap, Neon Trees, Nada Surf, Avalanche City, Colour Coding, Tully on Tully, and the usual roster of Filipino musicians who can rock as hard, and as good, as the headliners. Right now, Karpos Multimedia Inc. (also the people behind the Phoenix concert on January 20) are holding a battle between amateur indie bands to be part of this year’s lineup. If you were present last year, you’d know how fun, wild, and crazy it was, and can only expect more this year.
Fête de la Musique
When: Most likely June
The damage: Free
Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day, is a global phenomenon where every music genre imaginable is represented in various venues simultaneously around the city for one night. The Philippines is a staunch supporter of the France-based fest, having organized the free event for years. The last Fête saw a hundred musicians, headlined by the French electro-pop group The Naive New Beaters. The main stage was held at the A. Venue Mall, with eight pocket stages representing jazz, blues/soul/ska, reggae & world, indie, rock/pop-rock, hip-hop, electronica, and Latin. Pick your poison.
La Union Soul Surf
When: TBA Most likely October
Where: La Union
La Union is home to some of the country’s best waves, and it comes as no surprise that they play host to the annual surf and music festival. Held for eight years straight, it is a haven for surfers looking for an alternative event featuring good music. Last year, they brought in Classixx, RAC, and Panic City for three days of non-stop wave-catching and tunes with some of the Philippines’ gnarliest bands. Pros, amateurs, thrill seekers and music junkies are welcome to bask in the Ilocos sun, great tunes, and the sound of crashing waves.
Fete dela WSK
When: Most likely November
Contrary to its name, Fete dela WSK features and promotes music using new technologies and ways that this can affect artistic expression. Through the years, organizers have invited a global community of artists and fans who appreciates the digital culture and creation process, providing new ways to appreciate and discover new music. Last year played host to Singaporean band Observatory, whose experimental sound is leading a new wave in the region. There was also a moving-image art exhibit from Hors Pistes Tokyo of the Centre Pompidou in Paris and a screening of the film festival darling Leviathan. No news yet on this year’s run, but we’re sure that it’s going to be a week of further experimentation on how sound can become art.
