Filipino music fans were treated to performances by global hitmakers and the region’s rising artists at the first-ever Lalalafest held Aug. 21 at the World Trade Center Manila. The lineup included international acts Kiki, HOA, Isyana Sarasvati, Matthew Ifield, FLO, Dermot Kennedy, Two Door Cinema Club, and Steve Lacy. It also featured OPM acts Fitterkarma, Dilaw, Over October, Maki and Ben&Ben.
In addition, Ookay, Rave Republic, Harry Hayes and Lizzy Wang spun tracks on a special DJ stage. The comfortable indoor festival setup included food stalls and merchandise stations, including mobile bars.
Kiki from Thailand was the first to take the stage, energizing the crowd with groovy bass lines. The group entranced the audience with guitar- and synth-driven songs “Oyster,” “Can You Feel My Love?,” “Cold Night” and “Alive,” calling it their biggest show yet.
South Korean band HOA brought a nostalgic sound with their pop-rock melodies reminiscent of The Beatles. The band performed their songs “Tomorrow and Tomorrow (I Love You),” “I Don’t Know Why,” “Comeback Twister” and “The Great Hazby.” Their feel-good set had the crowd engaged from the start, especially when they spoke in Filipino. They said that they had been waiting a long time to perform in Manila and were delighted to meet their supporters.
Indonesian singer-songwriter Isyana Sarasvati showcased her dynamic range, blending modern pop with her classical training. “Unlock The Key,” “Time Traveller,” “My Mystery” and “Babel” stunned attendees, highlighting her vocals, which exhibited both rock and operatic elements. Despite it being her debut performance in the country, she said she wanted to return following the crowd’s passionate response to her set.
Continuing the gothic theme, Fitterkarma, a rising local act, introduced a dark folklore atmosphere to the hall. The band presented their songs “Kalapastangan,” “Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II” and “Maryclaire.” As the first Filipino act of the night, they encouraged attendees to continue supporting OPM as more local acts followed.
Dilaw energized the hall with their lively performance. True to their playful rock band nature, they effortlessly engaged with both local and foreign attendees, performing songs such as “All In,” “Orasa,” “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)” and “Rarara.”
Over October brought a more heartfelt sound, serenading attendees with songs including “Dahan,” “123,” “Bitin,” “Manatili” and “Ikot.” Their set offered a softer appeal, allowing their emotionally driven songs to connect with their listeners on a deeper level.
Hyping up the crowd, singer-songwriter Maki performed his original songs “Turning Green,” “Namumula,” “Dilaw,” and “Saan?” To the audience’s surprise, he brought out James Reid for their latest collaboration, “Luck,” delighting fans with their melodic vocals.
Australian artist Matthew Ifield captivated the hall with his velvet-smooth vocals. He sang “In The Event of Her Departure,” “Ready For Love,” “Thinking,” and his hit rendition of “I Think They Call This Love.”
Switching up the vibe, fans cheered as soon as British R&B trio FLO entered the stage. Their overflowing charisma held the audience captive with their vocals and choreography. Some of the songs they performed were “Leak It,” “Cardboard Box,” “Cry Ugly,” “Don’t Break Her Heart” and “Walk Like This.”
“This is our first time in Manila. We can’t believe we have fans here,” the trio shared, also promising to return for another show in the country.
Another crowd favorite, OPM icons Ben&Ben continued the festival’s momentum with their rich, evocative music. Despite their short set, they delivered their classic hits “Sunrise,” “Lifetime,” “Leaves” and “Ride Home.” Fans sang along with them making it a memorable experience for festival-goers.
Right after, Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy intensified the mood with his resonant storytelling. He sang “Outnumbered,” “Funeral,” “Lost” and “Power Over Me,” stunning the audience with his earnest vocal delivery and acoustic guitar.
Another Irish representative, Two Door Cinema Club, returned to their Filipino fans to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album “Tourist History.” Fans sang along to their anthemic indie hits such as “Sun,” “This Is the Life,” “I Can Talk” and “What You Know.”
Completing the festival, Grammy Award winner Steve Lacy brought alternative R&B hits to the stage while also revealing his Filipino roots. The singer-songwriter-producer performed his recently viral hit “Oh yeah?” along with other originals such as “Bad Habit,” “The Feeling,” “Sunshine” and “Static.”
Lalalafest Manila wrapped up seamlessly, successfully introducing a diverse roster of artists and leaving fans buzzing and yearning for more.