The very first Wanderland festival was in 2013, which was the peak era of indie bands across the world. Thanks to unlimited access to internet radio platforms, like SoundCloud and 8tracks, our collective taste in music expanded beyond the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and ventured into lesser known but rising indie acts that can pack a punch.
Lucky for you, this year, your indie faves are coming to Manila in this year’s Wanderland Music and Arts Festival at the Filinvest City Event Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on March 9 to 10, 2019. Hosted by Globe Telecommunications and Karpos Multimedia, Wanderland is going to be a two-day festivity of eargasmic music and eye-popping art.
Indie Mavens
Headlining this year’s Wanderland is Irish indie rock band Two Door Cinema Club. They released hit singles “Undercover Martyn,” “Something Good Can Work,” and “Cigarettes in the Theater,” and, in their early days, opened for other indie acts, such as Foals, Phoenix, and autoKratz. Their album Tourist History took the top spot in the Irish Independent Albums Chart in 2010, cementing them as one of Ireland’s most brilliant indie groups of all time.
Co-headlining Wanderland is The Kooks, an English band on every teen’s playlist of obscure music in the late 2000’s – even Forbes thinks they deserve more credit. Their albums Inside In/Inside Out, Junk in the Heart, and Konk are indie staples. If you’ve memorized every word and guitar riff of “Naïve,” they’re an act you shouldn’t miss.
English electronic music duo Honne as well as jazz and funk fusion artist Masego are also joining in on the magic of Wanderland. Party the house down or chill to sexy sax music? Take your pick.
Other foreign acts include: JMSN, SG Lewis, Mac Ayres, Alina Baraz, Gabrielle Aplin, Clairo, joan, PREP, Charlie Lim, and Adoy.
The Hottest Local Acts
Former vocalist of hit Philippine funk band IV of Spades, Unique is the biggest local headliner this year. Watch him perform singles from his debut album Grandma, such as “Midnight Sky” and “Apoy Ng Kandila.”
Sandwich, (sometimes stylized as <S>andwich), is for both the young and old at heart. Founded in 1998, Sandwich is one of the most famous Filipino alternative rock bands. From grade-school concerts to after-office gig nights, Sandwich performs for the Filipino, no matter your age or background. Catch them at Wanderland and sing your heart out to “Two Trick Pony.”
The other local acts you’ll see in Wanderland this year are singer and songwriter Reese Lansangan, as well as Clara Benin, the folk and acoustic songstress with the voice of an angel. You can also catch indie-alternative rock band Autotelic and worldbeat/jazz group Dayaw in the festival.
Ready to buy your tickets? Go to globe.com.ph/go/events/globewanderland now and follow Globe on Facebook and Twitter for more updates.