From Bruno Mars to harana fests
While Bruno Mars and BigBang are among the biggest names recently announced and will surely have fans scrambling for tickets, the live scene isn’t short on other, more focused and intimate experiences—a gig with a young rising singer, a fan meet with a Korean oppa, or a nostalgic festival of throwback hits.
Bruno Mars — “The Romantic Tour”
May 15, 16, 18, 2027 at Philippine Arena
Bruno Mars has performed in the Philippines four times already, but his upcoming return will be his first with a special guest. As part of “The Romantic Tour,” the pop superstar will be joined by nine-time Grammy winner Anderson Paak.
Paak should be familiar to fans as Mars’ partner in Silk Sonic, the musical duo behind the hit “Leave the Door Open.” This time, Paak will kick off the night as his DJ persona, DJ Pee Wee, before joining Mars onstage later in the show.
“The Romantic Tour” is mounted in support of Mars’ fourth solo album of the same title, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart—his first album to debut at the top spot. It includes “I Just Might,” his 10th No. 1 single, as well as “Risk It All,” which topped the Billboard Global 200.
So Ji-sub — “Soulmate The Timeless”
Nov. 5, 2026 at New Frontier Theater
From the country’s biggest concert venue, we go to one of the more intimate ones. South Korean actor So Ji-sub will meet Filipino fans as part of his Asian tour, whose title reflects his desire to connect with fans who have supported him through the years.
This will be his first in-person meeting with fans following the international success of his drama series “Agent Kim Reactivated,” which peaked at 23 percent viewership in South Korea and topped Netflix’s Global Non-English TV Shows chart.
The actor is set to share stories from his work, behind-the-scenes moments, and performances onstage.
Malcolm Todd — “Do That Again” Asia Tour
Nov. 27, 2026 at New Frontier Theater
If Bruno Mars is coming back as a bona fide icon, here’s a young rising talent to watch.
American singer-songwriter-guitarist Malcolm Todd is bringing his soft, groovy blend of indie pop, bedroom pop, and alternative R&B to the Philippines through his sophomore album, “Do That Again.”
“Do That Again,” which includes his platinum-certified single “Earrings” and other songs like “Sweet Boy” and “Roommates,” has given this viral TikTok sensation one of his biggest streaming breakthroughs—all 13 tracks landed on the US Spotify chart while the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
His shows may have been growing in scale, but Todd still maintains a simple pre-show ritual. “I just warm up my voice, and I try to just be present,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And then maybe I take a little bit of a moment with myself in the mirror, just appreciating my existence, and then going out there.”
BigBang — “XX: Cosmos” World Tour
Feb. 20, 2027 at SMDC Festival Grounds
While Todd represents a newer generation of artists finally making inroads, we also have acts like BigBang reuniting on the big stage. G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung are hitting the road together for the iconic K-pop group’s first world tour in nine years.
And with BigBang celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the timing couldn’t be better.
The trio made their first major group appearance in years at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival before announcing their new world tour. The group also recently released “BiiiG,” its first new song in four years.
Known for hits such as “Haru Haru,” “Fantastic Baby,” “Bang Bang Bang,” and “Last Farewell,” BigBang helped drive the global rise of K-pop and attracted a following that extended beyond the genre’s core fanbase.
Harana Music Festival
Nov. 28, 2026 at Filinvest Event Grounds
For those looking for something romantic and laid-back—and Filipino—there’s the Harana Music Festival. The acoustic event will bring a mix of established and emerging OPM acts that focus on creating an intimate atmosphere with live instruments, raw vocals, and impassioned storytelling. Just like a good ‘ol harana.
Headlining the inaugural festival is TJ Monterde, whose hit “Palagi” invigorated his career in recent years. He will be joined by Arthur Nery, Maki, Earl Agustin, Rob Deniel, Angela Ken, Nicole, Toneejay, Syd Hartha, Clara Benin, and Aika.
9race (Grace)
Oct. 4, 2026 at Araneta Coliseum
For a festival lineup with a bit more wallop—and a dash of nostalgia—“9race” (Grace) will bring together a mix of international throwbacks and OPM favorites.
Leading the anniversary event is Secondhand Serenade, the emo-pop project of singer-songwriter John Vesely, best known for “Fall for You.” He promises to perform all his hits and, this time, with a full band. Joining him are Apl.de.Ap, the Filipino American co-founder of the Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas, and “Replay” hitmaker and R&B singer Iyaz.
On the local side, there’s KZ Tandingan, TJ Monterde, and Dionela. Fans can expect Tandingan’s soulful hits, Monterde’s “Palagi” and “Dating Tayo,” and Dionela’s “Sining” and “Marilag.”
