Every year, music lovers mark their calendars for Wanderland—the Philippines’ own festival playground where global music trends meet homegrown talent. But beyond the big names and electrifying performances, it has shaped a legacy: a stage where Asian female artists shine, a launchpad for new sounds, and a testament to how festivals have evolved over the past decade—proving that in the Philippines, festival culture is alive, thriving, and here to stay.
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A Decade of Turning Up the Volume for Asian Women in Music
Music festivals aren’t just about headliners and confetti drops—they’re about giving artists the stage (literally and figuratively) to be heard. For the past ten years, Wanderland Music & Arts Festival has done just that, steadily becoming a springboard for Asian female artists to redefine the sound of the region in an industry where festival lineups have often been a boys’ club.
While global festivals are only now catching on to the need for more diversity, Wanderland has been ahead of the curve, proving that women in music don’t just belong in the scene—they are the scene. Where mainstream concerts only cater to a revolving door of international pop stars, Wanderland fosters long-term visibility and career growth for female artists, making it a crucial force in the regional music landscape.
Wanderland’s Legacy of Female Power
Long before “representation” became a festival buzzword, Wanderland was already booking Asian female powerhouses across genres. In 2015, Manila-based music producer BP Valenzuela—whose music started as a summer hobby—brought her dreamy synth-pop sound to the Wanderland stage. A year later, Jess Connelly followed, introducing festival-goers to her signature blend of sultry R&B. By 2017, Yuna, Malaysia’s songstress, delivered a soulful set that cemented her as one of the festival’s most unforgettable acts. By 2019, Wanderland doubled down on showcasing Filipina indie-folk voices, with Clara Benin and Reese Lansangan charming the crowd with their delicate yet powerful storytelling. Their performances proved that local female artists could hold their own on a big-scale festival stage—not just as opening acts but as main attractions in their own right.
In the years that followed, Wanderland expanded its musical spectrum. August Wahh and Ylona Garcia introduced R&B and pop-infused sounds to the festival’s mix in 2023, reflecting the global shift towards genre-bending female musicians. By 2024, the festival reached new heights of diversity with HWASA (from K-pop powerhouse MAMAMOO), the avant-garde artistry of ena mori, and the soul-baring lyricism of dwta. These artists not only brought in different musical influences but also different cultural perspectives, further solidifying Wanderland’s reputation as an incubator for boundary-pushing talent.
This year’s lineup continues to champion Asian women in music, featuring Regina Song (Singapore), mindfreakkk (Thailand), and visual Filipina artists Ross Du and Jill Arteche. Their inclusion signals that Wanderland isn’t just checking a diversity box—it’s setting the standard for how festivals should be programmed.
The Festival Showcasing Asia’s Best
Back in 2013, big music festivals in the Philippines were practically unheard of. If you wanted a festival-style experience, you had two options: book a flight or settle for a one-night-only arena show. Then came Wanderland, shaking things up with a multi-artist, multi-genre setup that felt like Manila’s answer to Coachella—minus the desert dust and exorbitant pricing.
At first, the festival leaned heavily on indie and alternative sounds, mirroring the DIY music culture of the early 2010s. It had a niche appeal, attracting a dedicated crowd of music lovers who craved an experience beyond the usual pop concert circuit. But as music tastes evolved, so did Wanderland. It gradually expanded its scope, embracing pop, R&B, hip-hop, electronic, and folk acts, making it one of the most genre-fluid festivals in Asia.
But what truly sets Wanderland apart is its ability to create an immersive world beyond just music. Over the years, it has transformed into a full-fledged arts and culture experience, incorporating live art, interactive installations, and themed stages that elevate it beyond just a concert series.
Today, Wanderland is more than just the Philippines’ version of Coachella—it’s a distinct, homegrown festival that celebrates Southeast Asian artistry on a global scale.
The Future of Wanderland’s Stage
After ten years, Wanderland continues to reaffirm its commitment to showcasing Asian female talent alongside global superstars. More importantly, it has set a precedent for how music festivals should evolve, not just in the Philippines but across Asia. While many festivals still rely on the same Western-centric lineups, Wanderland has embraced its Asian identity, proving that regional artists deserve just as much space on the main stage. As it moves into the next decade, Wanderland isn’t just a festival anymore—it’s a movement. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that the best is yet to come this upcoming weekend.
Photos and Featured Image: WANDERLAND (via Instagram)
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