On February 23, the Aseana City Concert Grounds in Paranaque City turned into an epic venue as the PLUS63 Festival finally returned this year, making its epic debut in Manila after being indefinitely postponed in 2023.
The much-anticipated festival saw thousands of generations of Filipino music enthusiasts flock to the open grounds inside the busy central business district to witness the eclectic performances from a star-studded lineup featuring some of the hottest local and international favorites.
Despite the scorching Sunday afternoon heat, it didn’t stop concertgoers from beaming with excitement as they waited for their f artists to take the Philippine stage by storm.
Kicking off the festival were three beloved Filipino acts who made their marks in the local R&B and pop scenes, with singer-songwriter Jolianne the first to perform.
The Cebuana-based artist serenaded concertgoers with her soothing voice, performing “Irises,” her own rendition of NIKI’s “lowkey,” and “Lullaby” where she brought Arthur Nery on stage, among others.
Following Jolianne was rising artist mrld, who captured the hearts of many with her performance of her viral singles, including “Sandali,” “M.I.N.O.Y.,” and more.
The next local act to perform was James Reid who brought swag to the stage. The singer-actor charmed the crowd as he performed his hit tracks, namely “Sandal,” “Di Bale,” “Pauwi Na,” “Hurt Me Too,” “Your Boy,” and “Randomatic” among others.
The anticipation in the concert grounds continued to grow as Raveena stepped onto the stage. Armed with dreamy visuals and her soulful vocals, the American singer-songwriter took the audience into an ethereal world, performing “If Only,” “Temptation,” and more.
The dream-like experience carried on with R&B phenom Jenevieve. With this her first time to perform in the country, Jenevieve made sure to make the night an unforgettable one with her setlist filled with her hit tracks, such as “Baby Powder,” “Résumé,” “Medallion,” “Candy Lies,” and more. She even prepared a sweet surprise as she performed an unreleased track.
Cheers and screams erupted when RINI took the stage. With a guitar in his hand paired with his rhapsodic vocals, the Filipino-Australian singer entranced the crowd to sing their hearts out to his songs, including “My Luv,” “Meet Me in Amsterdam,” “My Favourite Clothes,” and a cover of “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita.”
And then the concert grounds roared with thunderous screams as the evening’s anticipated headliner, Kehlani, graced the stage. The American singer-songwriter curated a perfect setlist consisting of some of her newer songs and classic hits, namely “Nunya,” “Toxic,” “Distraction,” “Nights Like This,” “Honey,” and more.
As the night came to a close, Kehlani upped the energy once again with “After Hours,” leaving fans on a high.
Beyond a music event, the PLUS63 Festival was a celebration of music and togetherness. It created a space for artists and their Filipino fans to connect more deeply through the rhythm of their music, unlocking core memories that they will definitely treasure.
Indeed, PLUS63 Festival’s first-ever Manila iteration was nothing short of unforgettable.
PLUS63, named after the Philippines’ country code, was first launched in Cebu in 2018 with its vision of “being a multi-city destination” for the country. Since then, the annual music festival has featured some of the world’s biggest local and international acts, including LANY, Kid Ink, and Steve Aoki, among others.
PLUS63 Festival 2025 in Manila was made possible by Insignia Presents.
