Music, Pop Culture, and Art party it out at &Friends Festival

 

Just this May 30-31, Okada was graced by some of the most shining stars on the internet and in the realm of music in recent years, thanks to the &Friends Music and Pop Culture Festival!

The 2-day event was a vibrant venue for unstoppable fun. Booths carrying fan merch for favorite games and anime titles lined up the lobby, displaying great work by independent artists for sale. Brand collaborators have also set up their booths with tons of freebies up for grabs. Of course, our online creator friends and influencers also have their respective spaces in the event.

It was a spectacular and seamless journey through a fusion of art, music, internet and pop culture, and tech. &Friends was aptly laid out in Okada’s Crystal Corridor, making for a more relaxing experience than traditional pop culture conventions. The combination of pop culture cosplay and festival garb added to the distinct atmosphere of this event.

There was music everywhere. There was always something to watch out for and look forward to, every hour! While we’re sure it was tons of fun inside The Cove Manila, where &Friends had their rave party for two nights, it was also a blast just being at the expo area itself.

Musical guests included popular mainstream acts like Zedd, BBNo$, as well as indie favorites like Ylona Garcia and Kiyo. There were also meet and greet sessions for several content creators - their rabid fans being the main source of crowd congestion in the area. The best part in these sessions? They were free, as long as you followed the queue.

The venue was brimming in the promise of a fun weekend - and it was met by an eager crowd, open to the idea of a different kind of event. A fantastical flurry of diversity, art, and music - this event was a breath of fresh air from the usual convention formats. We’re pretty sure it’s not just us looking forward to the next one!