We know you’ve been saving up your holiday coin courtesy of your ninongs and ninangs. Now that 2020 is upon us, the time has come to spend some of that moolah. That’s what festival season’s for, right?
Read more: Supporting your local musicians is more than going to Fetê
The first few months of the year are all about a whole new set of music festivals. It’s a broke person’s favorite budget deal: Pay the price of what’s usually a mid-level ticket for one concert, and you get 10 shows and a whole day’s worth of a good time (and Instagram content).
In case you need a cheat sheet for the next few months, we made a round up of the music festivals we’re psyched for. Better ready your ‘fits and memorize your lyrics.
Tagaytay Art Beat (Moved to May 9*)
Where it’s at: Museo Orlina, Tagaytay
Tickets go for: P2,000
Head out to the south for a taste of something new with the annual Tagaytay Art Beat. The lineup features Ang Bandang Shirley, Autotelic and Lola Amour, and this year, they’re bringing in hip-hop group Bawal Clan to diversify their indie-act lineup. Don’t forget to blast their records on the road trip up the mountain.
UPDATE 01/18: Due to the Taal volcano eruption, the Tagaytay Art Beat has been postponed until further notice. Read more details here.
UPDATE 02/14: Good news! The Tagaytay Art Beat has been rescheduled for May 9, 2020.
UP Fair 2020 (Feb. 10-15)
Where it’s at: UP Sunken Garden
Tickets go for: P200 per night
The quintessential college music festival is always a much awaited event, and we’re personally excited for Hiwaga happening on Feb. 10 with OC Records. We’re getting some major acts courtesy of the label, which includes Unique Salonga, SB19 and Callalily and more.
UNKNWN.Fiesta (Feb. 22*)
Where it’s at: Puerto Real Gardens, Intramuros
Tickets go for: P3,150 for Phase 1; P3,750 for Phase 2
UNKNWN parties are known for being, well, on the down-low. This year, they’re ramping it up by creating a full-blown festival for the first time. Inspired by the Sinulog, Ati-atihan, and Pahiyas, UNKNWN is taking cues from all things colorful and local for the biggest dance party of your life. Hercules & Love Affair, Louisahhh, Joey Abando, and a budots set from similarobjects are just some of the acts you can expect at the first of two phases of the fiesta.
UPDATE 02/14: The UNKWN.Fiesta has been postponed due to the COVID-19 health crisis. More details here.
Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival (Feb. 29 – Mar. 1)
Where it’s at: La Mesa Eco Park
Tickets go for: P4,500 for a day pass; P8,000 for a two-day pass
The weekend-long music festival is celebrating its tenth year this 2020, and is moving out of the island of Puerto Galera and into the metro at La Mesa Ecopark. The change is in support of ABS CBN’s Bantay Kalikasan, which Malasimbo is partnering with. This year, the festival is donating 10 percent of its proceeds to the initiative. Vibing out to an array of eclectic acts and helping save the environment sounds like a good weekend, no?
Wanderland (Mar. 7-8)*
Where it’s at: Filinvest Festival Grounds
Tickets go for: P5,500 for early entrance passes; P7,000 for regular Wanderers; P12,000 for Star Wanderers
This year, Wanderland is taking us to the sports track with some giant acts for its seventh iteration. The show is being headline by alt-rock band Foals and 88rising’s Joji. They will also be joined by the likes of Sabrina Claudio, Ari Lennox, Bruno Major with local acts Ben&Ben, IV of Spades, Ysanygo and more.
UPDATE 03/04: Wanderland 2020 has been canceled due to the nCOV-19 health threat. For more details, read here.
Art by Renz Mart Reyes