After nearly four years, Manila’s live music scene emerged resoundingly back to life on October 26 with the HORIZON Halloween Party at Bridgetown Open Grounds, Pasig.
Attracting hundreds of costumed fans, the festival showcased a formidable lineup of international and local DJs, headlined by British luminary Jonas Blue. The evening was a high-energy celebration of sound, visuals, and Halloween spirit, marking a triumphant resurgence of large-scale events for Manila.
Jonas Blue’s performance delivered everything attendees had anticipated, saturating the grounds with unmatched energy as he executed his iconic tracks such as “Perfect Stranger,”By Your Side,” “Rise,” and “Mama,” which prompted the crowd to sing and dance in unison. In a heartfelt moment during his set, Jonas Blue paid tribute to Liam Payne, with whom he collaborated on the song ‘Polaroid’ in 2018.
Accompanying Jonas Blue were esteemed international acts, each contributing a distinctive flair to the evening. American DJ Ookay captivated fans with his track “Thief” and genre-blending trap rhythms, while Fairlane from Canada infused an emotive twist with his melodic and uplifting sound. The Indonesian collective Weird Genius enhanced the event with a performance that synthesized regional musical traditions and cutting-edge electronic sounds, keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.
Manila’s own talent radiated brightly alongside the international stars, exhibiting the city’s vibrant music scene. DJs such as Bandit, Siangyoo, Carla Cray, and Funk Avy sustained the elevated energy, each contributing a signature style to the mix—from house and electro-pop to trap beats that kept the crowd on their feet. Ascending talent Katsy Lee and crowd-favorites Lxnta B2B Loso and Goggles B2B Plexus delivered unforeseen transitions and high-energy performances that imparted a spontaneous essence to the evening. The collaboration of Kobeast x Ports x Blu provided an additional impact, while unique acts like Soopersogood and Victor Jao bestowed the festival with a distinct Manila essence.
The Halloween theme transfigured Bridgetown Open Grounds into a surreal wonderland. Admirers arrived in elaborate costumes, dancing beneath haunting visuals and laser illuminations that cast a supernatural radiance over the venue. Supported by Monstercat, one of the world’s premier independent electronic labels, the event’s production quality was exemplary, featuring fog effects, synchronized lights, and booming sound systems that transported attendees into an immersive festival experience.
As the evening progressed, the beats continued to resonate with standout performances from Retro Vision, OOkay, and Molly, while Eko B2B Hyde Lee and Kim Sane concluded the night with hard-hitting tracks that left the audience in a state of exhilaration. Each DJ conveyed enthusiasm at being back in Manila and alluded to a desire to perform here again soon, invigorated by the crowd’s enthusiasm.
The success of HORIZON has breathed new life into the musical landscape of Manila. Fans left the grounds eager for more, as the city reclaimed its place on the map for world-class music events, promising an exciting new chapter for Manila’s live music.
The event was made possible by Horizon Fest Team.
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