By Rona Amparo and Anna Barlam
The Head in the Clouds festival of music company 88rising kicked off its pioneer edition in Manila with a solid line-up of homegrown and international artists on Friday at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque.
Local acts SB19 and Zack Tabudlo successfully made their HITC debut by showcasing their own discography to keep the hype among festival-goers.
The P-pop boy band performed a diverse set — from the upbeat “What,” disco-pop “WYAT” to their hit ballad “Mapa.” SB19 also sang their upcoming single, “Nyebe,” to be released on December 12, 2022.
Tabudlo made the audience swoon over his mellow stages, serenading them with his famous OPM songs such as “Nangangamba” and “Pano.”
Apart from local acts, foreign talents also wowed the audience with their performances of various genres such as R&B, J-Pop, EDM, etc.
Among foreign acts that set the stage on fire are Indonesian rapper Rich Brian with his lively set and Korean-American rapper Jessi, who entertained her Filipino fans with her hit songs like “ZOOM” and “Cold Blooded.”
Japanese singer-songwriter Joji, who performed before the last act, was one of the most sought-after artists on the first day of the festival line-up. He became known for his songs “Sanctuary” and” Glimpse of Us,” which he sang live at the festival.
During his set, fans endured the sudden downpour but the weather only set a “senti” mood that matched his soulful setlist and gave the audience a different festival experience.
Chinese artist and K-pop GOT7 member Jackson Wang capped off the night with steamy dance moves as he performed tracks such as “100 Ways” and “Cruel.”
Meanwhile, other 88rising artists such as Stephanie Poetri, Atarashii Gakko!, Milli, and Warren Hue took fans by a beat with their heartstopping setlists.
Catch more promising artists like Ylona Garcia, Eaj, and Niki on Day 2 of Head in the Clouds Manila at the same venue on Saturday, December 10, 2022.
