The Philippines is no stranger to big and exciting music festivals, and this year is shaping up to be quite an epic one for music-lovers. 

The first half of the year's already looking good, with indie favourites CHVRCHES, Passion Pit, Death Cab for Cutie and Bon Iver headlining two festivals within the next few weeks, and good ol' Yeezy himself blessing our shores in April.

But all the anticipation can get quite overwhelming and it might become difficult to keep track of all the events in store for us. So we've taken it upon ourselves to bring you The 2016 Bandwagon Festival Primer, a comprehensive collection of the international music fests awaiting everyone this year. 

We'll be updating this primer as more events are announced, so keep this page bookmarked and check back with us often so you won't miss out!

GoodVybes Fest

For years, Vybe Manila has brought in international alternative and indie acts such as Disclosure, cut/copy, Charli XCX, and CHVRCHES. This year, they're upping their game as they host their first international music festival, GoodVybes Fest, where they promise to bring in all the "goodvybes" with their lineup of the freshest indie electro rock and pop acts locally and internationally.  

When: February 20 

Where: Aseana City Open Grounds, Pasay City

Ticket Prices: PhP 2,800 (Silver) / 5,500 (Gold) / 7,500 (VIP) 

International Lineup: CHVRCHES, Passion Pit, Stars, Oh Wonder, Tenderfist, Darius, Busy P, Myd

Philippine Roster:  Kjwan, Brigada, Assembly Generals, Brisom, Moonwlk, bp valenzuela, Mulan, Pelvis Resley & The Sex Offender, She's Only Sixteen, NINNO, Samantha Nicole

Re-Entry? No.

What Philippine artists have to say:

There are a plethora of things I'm excited about, but the one thing that really is extra surreal is finally being on the same lineup as Stars! There was a very formative time in my life when all I listened to was Set Yourself on Fire and The North. I'm already predestined to bawl my eyes out, I think. 

— BP Valenzuela

I suppose it's the atmosphere, the vibe—I don't really know, to be honest. It's my first festival, so I'm coming in with no expectations. 

— Ninno

Wanderland Music & Arts Festival

Manila's first-ever indie music-centric festival, Karpos Multimedia's Wanderland, is known for their delightfully fun themes (they've taken us to the carnival and day camp), a well-curated showcase of foreign and Filipino musicians and artists, and the exciting pre-festival Wanderband competition — an annual search for the next emerging local act to grace their coveted stages. Now on its fourth year with its strongest lineup to date, Wanderland is set to blast us off into space for an out-of-this-world experience, with stellar performances by co-headliners Death Cab for Cutie and Bon Iver and so much more. Here's what happened when we ventured into Wanderland for the first time last year.

When: March 5

Where: Globe Circuit Event Grounds, Makati City

Genres: Indie Folk, Indie Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative, Electronica, Hiphop

Ticket Prices: PhP 4,800 (Wanderer) / 6,000 (Star Wanderer)

International Lineup: Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver, The Naked and Famous, San Cisco, Panama, Blackbird Blackbird, Chad Valley, Commandeur

Philippine Roster: Oh, Flamingo!, CRWN and Jess Connelly, Cheats, Curtismith, Jensen and the Flips  

Re-Entry? No. 

What Philippine artists have to say:

As big fans of Death Cab for Cutie, getting to see the band live is already a huge thing for us. So getting to play the same stage as them would be INSANE. We think it would be really cool if Wanderland becomes the venue for local and foreign bands to interact and become friends! 

— Howard Luistro & Billie Dela Paz (Oh, Flamingo!)  

For me, it's to get to open for Death Cab for Cutie and Bon Iver. And have a blast playing, of course. 

— Jason Caballa (Cheats)

Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival

Now on its sixth year, Malasimbo Festival prides itself for bringing an entire experience unlike any other. Held outdoors in a grass-terraced ampitheatre at the foot of Mt Malasimbo overlooking Puerto Galera Bay, the music and arts festival offers a "magical" escape from the dizzying buzz of the Metro. Malasimbo is duly acknowledged by the Philippines' Department of Tourism as a prime catalyst for the country’s continued advance in music, arts, and culture.     

When: March 4-6

Where: Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Genres: Soul, Jazz, World Music

Ticket Prices:  PhP 5,495 (3-Day Pass) / 1,745 (Friday) / 2,745 (Saturday) / 2,245 (Sunday)

International Lineup: Jacob Collier, Gong Myoung, Thum Prints: Tom Thum & Gordon Hamilton with Manila Symphony Orchestra, Golden Sound, Chikashi Nishiwaki

Philippine Roster:  June Marieezy, Sinosikat?, The Reo Brothers, Brat Pack, Triple Fret, Brigada, Collie Dread, Return of the Hermit, Malasimbo Collective, CRWN, Lustbass, RH Xanders, Moophs, Paolo Mallari, Reese Lansangan, Asch, this_being, no rome, Earl of Manila, soul_brk, Kristian Hernandez, Badkiss, Mark Zero, Miro

Re-Entry? Yes.

What Philippine artists have to say:

I'm looking forward to meeting international artists and bringing blues to the mountains. — Paolo Mallari 

It was a totally immersive experience for me. To be surrounded with like minded artists and to play in front of people who just really want to listen to good music; it was very refreshing. Plus, their adobo was crazy good too. And the kesong puti sandwiches!!! - CRWN

Malasimbo Lights & Dance Festival

In 2015, the well-loved Malasimbo Festival sought out to expand their magic by turning their annual celebration into a two-weekend event. Through this came the Malasimbo Lights & Dance Festival, a showcase of the best funk, hip hop, house, and electronic music acts coupled with energetic dance crews, and an amazing lights show meld together in a three-night spectacle, all within the same enclave of breathtaking Puerto Galera. 

When: March 24-26

Where: Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

Genres: Electronic, Hip-hop, House 

Ticket Prices:  PhP 4,495 (3-Day Pass) / 1,245 (Thursday) / 2,245 (Friday) / 1,745 (Saturday)

International Lineup: Goldie, Lapalux, DJ Kentaro, Onra, San Soda, Dualist Inquiry, 6th Generation, Gothtrad, DJ To-Ru, XLII, Lady Flic, Sweet Talk, DJ Yuto, Romi B, MC Shureshock, MC Hunger, MC Cardz

Philippine Roster:  Similarobjects, Br3aking Silence, Curtismith, bp valenzuela, Akisuda, Wolf Squared, Aries, Diamond Heights, Bad Son

Dance Crews: Daloy Dance Company vs Aliens of Manila, Philippine All Stars, Planet Zips

Re-Entry? Yes.

What our local artists have to say:

Just being able to perform in a place like that is something to look forward to in itself! You find plenty of gems as well when you're in Puerto Galera. — Curtismith

I'm looking forward to the trees, the nature, the breeze, and the comfort of the festival vibrations paired with the lovely music! And of course the kesong puti sandwiches! — similarobjects

Paradise International Music Festival

A one-day spectacle of international and local artists coming from a wide array of genres, Paradise IMF caused the wildest stir last December when they announced hip-hop's modern golden child Kanye West as their headliner.    

When: April 9

Where: Aseana City Open Grounds, Pasay City

Genres: Indie Electronic, Indie Pop, Alternative, Rock, Acoustic

Ticket Prices: PhP 3,700 (Paradise Express) / 7,000 (General Admission) / 14,500 (VIP)

International Lineup: Kanye West, Rudimental, Austin Mahone, Afrojack

Philippine Roster: Up Dharma Down, Yolanda Moon, Giniling Festival, Jessica Milner, Maude, Clara Benin, Hale, Itchyworms

Re-Entry? No (Paradise Express / Yes (General Admission & VIP)

What Phlippine artists have to say:

Up Dharma Down is one of my favorite bands and I can't believe I get to share the stage with them in an international music festival! — Clara Benin 

It's festival season once again, and we're definitely excited to be part of Paradise IMF. It's been a year since we kicked off our comeback, and we're looking forward sharing the stage with amazing acts both local and foreign. Just an incredible line up! Should be fun! — Champ Lui Pio (Hale)

Pulp Summer Slam

The largest and longest running outdoor metal festival in Southeast Asia, Pulp Summer Slam features local and international rock and metal bands with the occasional line-up of hip hop, ska, reggae, pop rock, and other genres. Now on its 16th year, the festival is getting set to heat up the summer for rock and metal fans like never before.    

When: April 30

Where: Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City

Genres: Rock, Metal

Ticket Price: PhP 555

International Lineup: Veil of Maya, Lacuna Coil, Belphegor, We Are Harlot, I Killed the Prom Queen, Protest the Hero, Volumes, Act of Defiance

Philippine Roster: Greyhoundz, Slapshock, Razorback, Kjwan, Wilabaliw, Insekto Pares

All set? We've summarised everything further for extra convenience in the poster below. Keep watching this space!