Words by Oriana Cuenca
People have made their way to Wanderland Music and Arts Festival for years searching for a kind of immersion only one of the country’s largest music festivals can give. After all, Wanderland is not just about the music. A star-studded line up can draw in a crowd, but it takes an experience like no other to captivate a casual music lover and turn them into one of the festival’s devotees. And Wanderland has amassed quite the loyal following.
Under Karpos Multimedia, Wanderland Music and Arts Festival’s ambition is to put the Philippines on the music fest map. Now on its eighth year, bigger and bolder than ever, what really is it about Wanderland that keeps people coming back for more?
LOOK:Â Get to Know Foals: The Indie Rock Band Co-Headlining Wanderland Music Fest 2020
Festival themes aside (which changes every year, in the case of Wanderland), the heart and soul of a music festival is its performers. People come to Wanderland to lose themselves in the music. People venture into the festival grounds to witness the best of the local and international music scene—and Wanderland does not disappoint.
For eight years straight, Wanderland has gathered big names in indie music. In 2013, its inaugural year, the festival came to life with a bang by bringing the Temper Trap, Nada Surf, and Neon Trees to the Philippines. Just a few years later, Wanderland branched out into hip-hop and electronic with a line up that included Kidi Cudi and RAC. And they went really big in 2016, when they got Death Cab for Cutie and Bon Iver co-headlining the fest.
Bon Iver, Wanderland Music Fest 2016
Death Cab for Cutie, Wanderland Music Fest 2016
From there on, Wanderland has continued to curate an indie all-star lineup featuring all repertoire of musical genres—from Explosions in the Sky to Purity Ring, Daniel Caesar, to LANY.
Purity Ring, Wanderland Music Fest 2015
And, of course, any good music festival wouldn’t settle for just international names when there is so much homegrown talent waiting to be discovered. Wanderland prides itself on being a platform for local artists to reach a larger audience. Since its first year run, Wanderland has had both local prides and rising talents grace its stage. It’s pre-event showdown called “Wanderband” scouts for the best local bands to play for the main event. In 2014, Wanderband gave The Ransom Collective their big break, and the band would go on to release their hit single “Fools” and “Settled” in the same year.
In 2020, Wanderland is keeping the ball rolling by bringing lauded international acts like Foals and Nick Murphy into the country. Local favorites like Ben&Ben and IV of Spades will also be taking the stage to serenade the night. It’s bound to be a fun weekend with a line-up like this.
Curated performers and a creative experience may be part of the secret ingredients to music festival success, but the real secret spice is this: the good energy. And Wanderland has a lot of that.
https://www.facebook.com/wanderlandfest/videos/655678658517121/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDlNnrQfYWH7g8WOhjXxG38xiMKl_7FRKCBgiSTKq-_NTvpbi77VVmXleV0-FQkK4snb9Ui12AXwIlj0wAIueDRCkp-SrLhPRKPNdo5kmJ-PNOYAUAFtSsdej7Bavv7A2Oa4jcuf4HUyoBGjeZMkyk0-SEohyT4Tk2r4qcdJFN4vU_5ef8e-QIeOjrhHlM1yaD4fbvbsxz49dYI0Hz6noxLJdf28Z4LFrBN1hPbS0ZriuWgrL-aoaWnaGz0N_EgxF6pqRW1zMU89C9G5Sf2jkZ5i404zx397hFwheBlyURWTi3Sca82ej69ZFY0QCcnsemQ95E6ufm8bnul6m6afzslA1cOT34T1e0&__tn__=-R
This coming March 7-8, 2020, come catch Foals, Nick Murphy/Chet Faker, Joji, Bruno Major, Ali Gatie, Ben&Ben, IV of Spades, Banna Harbera and more at Wanderland Music and Arts Festival’s eighth run. Check out the full line-up over at wanderlandfestival.com, and hurry and secure a ticket asap because this is one weekend this summer 2020 you would not want to miss.
Wanderland Music & Arts Festival
Official website:Â www.wanderlandfestival.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wanderlandfest
Twitter: @wanderlandfest
Instagram: @wanderlandfest
