The Beat Manila’s Up-And-Coming: Singer-Songwriter Matt Wilson

Manila’s music scene thrives on diversity, and where is this more evident than at Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival? 

Prepare to be dazzled at this star-studded celebration, which brings together the best of OPM (Original Pinoy Music) onto one electrifying stage. Fusion 2025 features the theme, “Musika Natin ‘To,” — a call to embrace and uplift OPM with pride as it marks its 10th anniversary. This milestone event will bring together the brightest Filipino music artists in an immersive experience that goes beyond performances, featuring interactive art, cultural exhibits, and a showcase of local flavors. More than a festival, it is a declaration that OPM is not just music — it is our identity, our pride, and our story as a nation.

Whether you’re an avid festival-goer or a first-timer, this guide will take you through everything you need to know — from the lineup of artists and festival highlights to tips on making the most of your concert experience. 

Without further ado, here’s your guide to Manila’s hottest and boldest music festival!

Fusion Manila 2025: What, When, & Where?

Launched in 2015, Fusion is the first Philippine music festival uniting artists across different genres and managements into a massive concert extravaganza that aims to celebrate OPM. The year’s Fusion music festival is set to take place on Mar. 15, 2025 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Open Grounds. 

Gates open at 3:30 PM with pre-show performances starting at 5:30 PM. The main show begins at 7:30 PM, and it’s one act after another from there, with the last performance ending at 2 AM. There will also be games and raffle sessions, as well as booth activities before the pre-show, so it’s worth coming in earlier!

The event is directed by Paul Basinillo, the award-winning creative force behind some of the biggest productions in OPM history, such as Sarah Geronimo’s legendary 24/SG, and is powered by Nestea, Nescafé, Bear Brand Sterilized, Hapee Toothpaste, Dazz Dishwashing, and Fudgee Barr.

Getting There

You can go by either private or public transportation. We would highly recommend point-to-point options such as ride-hailing apps like Grab, InDrive, or Angkas, or taxis where you can simply pin the exact location or tell the driver to drop you off at the CCP complex.

If you’ll be commuting, the nearest train station is LRT1-Vito Cruz. From there, you can ride a jeepney along Pablo Ocampo Sr. (Vito Cruz) that is going to CCP or the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

And look! Fusion just gave us a sneak peek of the venue. Looks like the stage is rising... and so is our excitement! 

Address: CCP Open Grounds, CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1003

Ticket and Merchandise Information

Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmelon with three sections priced at P3,000 (Gold), P2,000 (Silver), and P1,000 (Bronze). 

All tiers are standing, and there is no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase. Gold ticket holders get access to special perks such as a chance to win Artist Merch, Photo Albums, or participate in pre-show games on stage. They will also be able to go through the Express Lane for the VIP Entrance, get 20% off on Fusion Merch, bring home an Instaphoto souvenir by one of the event’s roving photographers, and enjoy a Fusion kit packed with sponsor loots, sticker packs, a LED wristband, tote bag, complimentary drinks courtesy of Tanduay, and more!

Ticketmelon accepts several modes of payment, such as Credit and Debit Cards, Cash, G-Cash, and GrabPay. For online purchases, an e-ticket will be sent to your registered email address, which you can show at the entrance on the day of the event. 

For merchandise, there will be official event t-shirts (P499) and tote bags (P199) available at the Praxis booth. Fusion also encourages you to show up in your best colors to the event by wearing your most colorful #OOTD (Outfit of the Day)! Winners get fusion gift packs and 1-level ticket tier upgrade!

Artist Lineup and Schedule

A star-studded lineup awaits you at this explosive milestone event, featuring both veteran and rising local artists beloved by music fans not only in the Philippines but across the globe!

This year’s headliners include Ben&Ben, December Avenue, and Zack Tabudlo, who will be performing alongside powerhouse acts like The Itchyworms, Maki, Barbie Almalbis, ALAMAT, KAIA, Jan Francis, and ALLMO$T. 

The concert will also feature a lineup of DJs and rising acts, such as singer-songwriter Amiel Sol, Jan Francis, Pauline Anne, and up-and-coming P-Pop groups GAT and RAYA. See below for the complete schedule of performances:

Festival Reminders: Things to Bring and Prohibited Items

As the festival will be taking place outdoors and will last approximately ten hours, make sure to weatherproof your belongings. An extra shirt, comfortable footwear, and handheld fans are just some of the things you can bring to better your festival experience.  

Other essential things you might need are: 

• Phones (for making memories and showing your e-tickets, of course!)
• Chargers and power banks
• Towels
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection
• Raincoats (because Manila rain does come down out of nowhere)
• Hygiene kit (sanitizers, wet and dry tissues, band-aids, etc.) 

For everyone’s safety, Fusion encourages everyone to pack light and smart, and to keep in mind things that are not allowed within the venue premises such as outside food and drinks, pets, water bottles/jugs/flasks, bags bigger than 12x12 inches, digital and professional cameras, and all types of pointed umbrellas. For a complete list of prohibited items, click here. 

Are you ready for a night of electrifying stages? See you on Mar. 15, OPM fans, and let’s make it a night to remember! 

For more information and updates, stay tuned on Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival’s official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages. 

Location: CCP Open Grounds, CCP Complex Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1003

When: Mar. 15, 2025

Admission Fee: P1,000 (Bronze), P2,000 (Silver), and P3,000 (Gold). Buy here.

Comedian Jo Koy is back — and the great news is, he’s bringing the laughs with him to Manila! 

LiveNation just announced his All-New "Jo Koy: Just Being Koy" Tour on their Instagram, with a highly anticipated stop at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City on June 21. Fans can expect a night clutching their bellies as Koy delivers his signature storytelling and sharp-witted humor. 

Koy’s show has been much awaited, after last performing in the Philippines nearly two years ago. His last show was in August 2022 as part of his Funny Is Funny World Tour. The comedian, whose sets often revolve around his family, specifically his son and mother, has sold out arenas and theaters globally. 

That same year, he celebrated a major milestone with the Hollywood film, “Easter Sunday,” which had a red-carpet premiere in Manila — further cementing his deep ties to his Filipino heritage.

With a career packed with accolades, Jo Koy is a powerhouse in comedy. He has four top-rated stand-up specials, including his latest Netflix hit, “Live From The Los Angeles Forum,” which premiered globally in September 2022. His 2019 stand-up album Live From Seattle topped the Billboard Comedy Charts, and in 2018, he was crowned “Stand-Up Comedian of the Year” at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal.

Tickets go on sale on Mar. 14, 2025 via SM Tickets, with prices ranging from P1,500 to P7,500. If you want to secure your seats early, Mastercard cardholders get exclusive presale access in the Philippines from Mar. 12 at 12 PM to Mar. 13 at 12 PM. Meanwhile, World & World Elite Mastercard holders can grab preferred ticket access starting Mar. 14 at 12 PM. 

Manila, get ready — it’s going to be a night of unfiltered, unmissable comedy. Registration for presale access and other ticket releases can be found here. For more updates, check out Jo Koy’s official website, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter). 

The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!

It’s a known fact that Viva Artist Agency (VAA) is in the business of showcasing the brightest young talents of this generation. From musicians to actors, Viva is continuously searching for the next big thing, fostering talent that inspires, entertains, and promotes Filipino music and artistry. 

This March, the company launched a new boy group set to conquer the P-Pop scene. Introducing GAT, our featured up-and-coming artists gearing up to shape the OPM (Original Pinoy Music) landscape one explosive performance at a time. Under the collaboration of Ivory Music and VAA, the quintet consists of Ethan David, Charles Law, Michael Keith, Derick Ong, and Hans Paronda. The name “GAT” is derived from the Tagalog honorific “Gat,” which means nobleman, symbolizing excellence and respect.  

The boys made their first impression among P-Pop fans with the release of their pre-debut cover of James Reid’s “Huwag Ka Nang Humirit,” which showcased their talent and charisma. They gained momentum with another cover single entitled “Daleng Dale,” which recently ranked #3 in the Viral Songs PH Chart. The single was the official opening track of Viva One’s hit series “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” in which some of the members are currently participating as supporting actors. 

In our latest exclusive, we got the whole gang together for a fun chat about their music, their most memorable training stories, and what we can expect from the group this year. Read on to get to know P-Pop’s newest eye candies and discover what makes them a fresh sound you should keep on your radar. 

Hi GAT! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and your roles in the group?

Ethan: We don’t have any positions right now because we value our craft, and we don’t want to confine ourselves to a particular role. We want to be able to explore other things. I’m a singer myself, but I also want to be able to rap and dance. Ayaw naming ma-stuck dun sa roles (we don’t want to be stuck in just one role). 

Michael: Same as what Ethan said, but I guess for my role, I’m more of the singer and producer for the group. But wherever I can help, I like to pitch in.

Hans: I’m more of dancing and singing.

Charles: I’m the youngest of the group and do more rapping. 

Derick: I like singing the most, although dancing has been a favorite of mine ever since I joined the group. Seeing how good and talented my teammates are made me want to step up!

Is there a story behind the group name?

Michael: GAT stands for “Gawang Atin ‘To” and we look up to our kuya (big brother) groups like ALAMAT, and the idea is that it’s purely Filipino. Everything we make is made in the Philippines by Filipinos. 

How was the group formed? Did you know each other beforehand?

Michael: Yeah, it started with me, Ethan, and Hans being called into a meeting. Boss Vic [Vic Del Rosario] told us how we were talented artists on our own and that they had this idea of forming a boy group with us in it and just combining our talents. He got us three first, and then Charles and Derick got added. 

We all kind of knew each other from previous projects and from being with Viva. Derek is the one who's pretty fresh to us. But we all clicked right away and so it all worked out that way!

Ethan: Michael and I were friends, and I met Hans casually at the events from Viva. As for Charles, I met him when he was just a baby — he was just thirteen! He was quite shy and quiet then, but I think we’ve influenced him to be more makulit (playful). Derick is pretty new. He only started training with Viva for about eight months.

We all have different personalities, but when we’re together, we’re solid. We’re playful and clingy with each other. We’re definitely like brothers! 

Cool! Given your individual training before GAT, how was the experience transitioning into becoming a P-Pop group? Did you always want to be part of a group?

Charles: Back then, I went into Viva thinking I would just do acting. But when I got to meet some P-Pop group members, I got inspired. Two years before my audition, I told myself that I wanted to be in a boy group because the idea of being part of one amazes me. I thought it would be really fun!

Can you tell us about the kind of training that you do as a group?

Ethan: Right now, we've been a little bit busy because we've been doing taping for the series 'Ang Mutya ng Section E,' but we try to train in between. 

I’m sure after this project, we’ll be focusing more on training as a group. Before, we did training three to four times a week. An interesting thing about our vocal training is that we only did a couple of weeks of vocal sessions before heading into the studio for recordings! It’s so amazing to see our commitment and how our passion is for this craft. So, I felt like, 'Wow, this is going to work!'

Do you have any memorable experiences while training?

Michael: There are so many! Actually, there’s one recently, but I’m not sure if I can talk about it. We were at 7-Eleven and decided to joke around. I won’t tell exactly what happened, but we got a good laugh out of it. *laughs*

I feel like with the way our group is because of our ages, we have so many moments when we kind of forget that we're working because everything's just so fun. We know when to lock in, but we know how to have fun as well.

Hans: Usually after training, we always eat out together. We always go on 'food trips.' 

Charles: Learning choreography together was memorable. It’s super simple, but we learn it together. If I’m having trouble, they always try to help me. They’re all my kuyas (big brothers), and I look up to all of them. It just makes me very happy — that bond between us.

Speaking of training, did some of you have to learn a skill from the start? What was the experience like?

Ethan: I’ve been singing since I was three, and I grew up with a family of singers. But with dancing, I only learned to do it through training. I’ve been with boy groups before, and that’s where I mostly learned how to dance. I don’t think I’m a natural dancer though. *laughs*

Hans: For me, it’s the same with Ethan, I’ve been singing and dancing since I was a kid. But dancing was where my true interest was. Meanwhile, my older brother was good at singing. But then somewhere along the way, we kind of exchanged talents, and he became the dancer while I became a singer in a group. When I started with P-Pop, I could do both, so it was an easier transition for me.

Ethan: *jokes* Sobrang Latina na (“Sobrang Latina” is a viral phrase used when one is feeling themselves).

Hans: Yes, sobrang Latina! *laughs*

Michael: As for me, I’ve been singing since I was four. I was inspired by my older sister who used to do a lot of stuff for Disney, and so I got involved with that. And then, it got to the point where I was just doing it on my own, and my parents noticed and asked if I wanted to do lessons. From a young age, I’ve been doing classical training just to get a good base and tried to figure it out on my own and find the singing style that’s comfortable for me. Singing is my strongest point, while dancing is where I struggled. Even now, I have really bad hand-eye coordination.

Charles: I’m not really a born singer or dancer, but I’ve been rapping since I was a kid. It was during our training that I learned these skills, and I’m thankful to my teammates for helping me out along the way. 

Any important takeaways from your journey so far?

Michael: I think it's safe to say that despite all of our experiences, we learn all these things on our own. And right now, one thing that our coach, Kevin Antiquera, reminds us of the most is that when we join the boy group, we start from ground zero again — we're starting at the bottom, and so we're all collectively learning everything together and learning something new together so that we can be on the same level and be aligned with everything.

Derick: We recently performed onstage, and it feels so different compared to our training. Our coach has been teaching us a lot about how to perform; for example, when you train, even if it's already 100%, on stage, it has to be 200%. The other members have experience with performing, and they’ve helped and uplifted me through it all. We help each other.

Michael: He's [coach] literally like our dad, and so we thank him so much for everything he's done for us and for just keeping our group together and helping us strengthen our bond.

What makes GAT unique from other P-Pop groups?

Michael: I think we bring such a unique sound and flavor to the P-Pop world. When you listen to our music and the music that we have planned on releasing, it's nothing that you've heard before from other P-Pop groups. And I love that because we all have such influences as individual artists. We're able to come together and collaborate and create such a unique sound and take inspiration from this or that to create something new. 

And because we are a proudly Filipino group and we include Filipino history in our work, we are going to be able to make music that will help enhance the meaning of P-Pop.

We’ve yet to hear GAT’s first original song. How would you describe your forthcoming debut single?

Ethan: We already have songs lined up and are preparing for it. We just want to choose the best song to release, so we can’t say anything yet. 

Michael: But the song that we will put out will express all of the members' individuality and also our collective efforts.

What’s your dream for Gat? What do you want to achieve for the group?

Ethan: I would like to release songs that will stick to people’s hearts. We want to release music that would not change OPM, but be part of the OPM and the P-Pop [industry] that we know right now. We also want to keep inspiring people. 

Michael: I think it’s safe to say that we’re heavily inspired by other groups right now, and I think for me, I want us to be the group that another group of boys or girls will look at and they're going to be like, oh, I want to be just like them. I want to be able to make music that impacts people whenever they hear it. If you think of P-Pop, you think of us. 

What can we look forward to from GAT this year?

Ethan: We could promise them we will release some music this year. We've actually had a pre-debut performance already in Zambales recently, and that was really fun! We would like to promise the fans that we will have more events lined up.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Don’t miss GAT’s upcoming music and performances by following them on Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and TikTok pages. 

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.

The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!

Although it’s always fantastic to see our favorite artists on the music charts, we have to admit seeing a new name pop up now and then makes us lean over in our seats, eager to hit that play button and listen to something new. Our Up-and-Coming series is all about shining the spotlight on talented young artists who are changing the game, bringing in new sound and concepts, and are set to become the next big thing. And in our latest exclusive, we sat down with an indie singer-songwriter currently dominating the Philippine music charts. 

Introducing Amiel Sol, fresh blood on the roster of Filipino hitmakers caught out attention when his latest single, “Sa Bawat Sandali,” peaked at #1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Philippines list. Amiel is known for his alt-pop love songs, having released several singles like “Di Na Akin” and “Ikaw Lang Patutunguhan,” which have racked up an impressive number of streams — 13 million to be exact for the latter track, just on Spotify alone. The talented singer easily became Ivory Music’s top act and is gearing up to release more music that will undoubtedly make him a household name among the OPM (Original Pinoy Music) hit lists soon enough!

Read on to get to know Amiel and his burgeoning music career, the inspiration behind his latest single, and the dreams he hopes to fulfill this 2025. 

Amiel’s Musical Journey

A Mathematics graduate from the University of the Philippines, Amiel is a passionate musician who blends romantic lyricism with ambient folk sound. He told The Beat Asia how his relationship with music began early in his life — in elementary school when he learned to play guitar from his neighbor.

“I was eight then,” he said, “And when I got into high school, my friends and I joined Battle of The Bands. It became a yearly tradition for us until we graduated. I still wanted to continue music then, even just as a hobby, but since we ended up in different schools for college, I decided to do it on my own.”

The singer expressed how he never thought about pursuing music as a career and that it was just something he genuinely enjoyed doing, which was why he continued to play, performing song covers at food parks and open mics in 2018. However, it wasn’t until the following year when the global pandemic hit that Amiel was able to explore a new side of his musical talent. 

“I remember it was the first week of the pandemic, and classes were suspended. So when it happened for three days, I just tried to write, and I bought a budget-friendly mic to be able to record songs at home.” 

With no classes during lockdowns, Amiel focused on songwriting and began composing music and releasing them online. He was independent for a couple of years, apart from a short partnership with music distributor Ditto Music, where he signed on for a three-song contract. It wasn’t until 2022 that he officially became part of the Viva Records family. From there, Amiel performed in a series of gigs while juggling employment on the side. 

When asked if he intends to do it full-time, Amiel answered, “When I graduated college in mid-2023, it became a deciding factor for me whether to focus on music or get a job. At the moment, I still have a day job, but I am hoping to pursue music full-time very soon.”

On Composing and Musicality

Like most singers, Amiel is an avid music consumer, which has influenced the current sound he’s developing through his songwriting. He also shared that his musical influences when it comes to his songwriting are Filipino musicians Johnoy Danao and Ebe Dancel, while he takes inspiration from Bruno Major and Lizzie McAlpine in terms of musicality.  

“I really like indie folk music. That’s where I gravitate towards and the sound I aim for with my music,” he said. “I like ambient sounds, strings, cello, a little trumpets, while also heavy on acoustic guitars with folk-style drums.” 

The singer explained that this was the sound he liked when recording songs in the studio, but he would gravitate towards a more pop sound when performing them live with a band.

“I think that’s what also clicks when you perform live, and I really like it as well,” he added, pertaining to how he started with this kind of sound back in his school days, performing pop-rock covers from popular bands like All Time Low and Eraserheads. The singer-songwriter also admitted to being a multi-instrumentalist but still considers the guitar as the instrument he’s most confident to play.  

“I don’t have a specific process,” he told The Beat Asia when asked about his songwriting process. “For example, with ‘Sa Bawat Sandali,’ I first got the chord progression, which was inspired from the chorus of ‘Scott Street’ by Phoebe Bridgers, then I just transposed it. The second thing I got was the main hook of the song: ‘Kapag magulo na ang mundo, ikaw ang payapang hinahanap-hanap ko (Whenever the world is chaotic, you are the peace I keep searching for),' which just popped up in my head while I was playing the chord progression.”

As for the lyrics, Amiel shared that he already had a theme in mind from the start and wanted to express the type of love that comes after the “kilig” stage, when a couple feels settled in a relationship and is each other’s peace of mind. “A constant type of love,” the singer beautifully described.

We also got to discuss the anatomy of his songs as we noticed many of his tracks are over five minutes long, which is longer than a regular mainstream track. Amiel explained that he goes by feeling and instinct when composing, and as most of his songs have a slower progression, the track time always extends longer than intended, which he believed still fits his vision for the songs he’s writing. 

With a chart-topping hit on his belt, Amiel is a rising OPM artist who’s on everyone’s radar. But the singer shared that for him, it’s not about success or recognition, but more about the experience and the journey.

“Actually, sobrang nakakagulat siya (it’s really surprising). In the six or seven years that I’ve been doing this, I admit that it’s also my dream to have a chart-topping song, but it’s not something I expected. I always want my mindset to be as long as I’m doing what I love; that’s enough. While writing, I never thought of a song as this is it, this is the hit. It just so happened that many people resonated with the song. And that’s what I like the most about it, not because it became a hit but because many people liked it. I suppose that’s the better part of it.” 

Amiel has also been receiving offers for his songs to feature on other forms of media, like how “Sa Bawat Sandali” was included in the soundtrack of the popular VIVA miniseries, “Mutya ng Section E.” He also opened for popular alt-pop act Cup of Joe at their concerts.

“They’re one of my favorite bands! So it’s a very full-circle moment for me. They often get me as an opening act, so I’m so grateful to them for always giving me the opportunity to be seen and heard more.”

As for his music plans this year, Amiel hopes to do as many gigs as possible and to be able to do a solo concert where he could showcase his discography and invite some of his artist friends to collaborate with him. The singer-songwriter shared that his dream collab is with Johnoy Danao and Ebe Dancel, as well as with some of his artist friends whose music he admires, such as Earl Augustin, Keanna Mag, and Janine.

But if there’s one thing we can expect from him this year… 

“Consistency,” he stated. “I really want to release more songs. I have a lot of songs that I want to share. I also want to play more gigs. Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang siya para makatugtog din ako sa iba’t-ibang lugar at marinig din ako ng iba’t-ibang mga tao (Hopefully the music events keep coming so I can play at different places and have more people hear my songs)."

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Catch Amiel at his upcoming events by staying tuned on his Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages. You can also stream his latest track here. 

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.

Manila, brace yourselves! The queens are coming, and they’re bringing the house down. Filipina drag superstar Marina Summers is set to reunite with her fierce RuPaul’s "Drag Race UK vs. The World" Season 2 co-finalists, Hannah Conda and La Grande Dame, for a night of pure drag magic. 

Dubbed Global Phenomena, this highly anticipated event will take place at The Music Museum on Mar. 21 at 8 PM.

Marking one year since UKvTW2 took the drag world by storm, this reunion promises a full-blown celebration of drag, creativity, and the unbreakable bond these queens formed on the show.

Marina Summers, the Philippines’ very own drag queen who slayed the international stage, took to Instagram to hype up the event, saying, “Bring back my global phenomena!” She added, “It’s the one-year anniversary of UKvTW2, and we’re giving Manila a reunion show for the ages.”  

Prepare to be stunned by performances that will leave you speechless, hilarious audience Q&A sessions, and non-stop entertainment.

Tickets are already on sale here, with prices ranging from P1,200 for balcony seats to P4,100 for Tier 1. For those who want to take their experience to the next level, meet-and-greet passes are available for P2,700.

Summers has also teased that the full lineup of performers will be announced soon, so expect even more surprises as the event draws closer. 

For more information, visit Camp Summers on their website, or follow them on Instagram.

Location: Shoppesville Arcade, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Avenue 1502 San Juan