Get ready to scream your heart out, headbang like it’s 2008, and embrace the iconic angst of your teenage years.
You may have taken yourself out of the emo phase, but let’s face it—you can’t take the emo phase out of you. It’s still buried somewhere in your soul, waiting for the right song to bring it back to life. That’s why this upcoming music festival feels like a love letter to every emo kid and rock fan who once spent countless nights feeling all the feelings.
On May 8, 2025, three iconic bands will reunite. They shaped the soundtrack of the 2000s. Fans can expect an epic rock-infused trip down memory lane. It’s time to dust off your skinny jeans and break out that eyeliner. Get ready for a night of heartbreak anthems and raw feelings. The bands that defined your youth are finally back!
Secondhand Serenade, Boys Like Girls, and The Click Five are coming to the Philippines!
For one epic evening, the Playback Music Festival will transform the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. It will become a haven for emo kids and rock fans alike. Secondhand Serenade, Boys Like Girls, and The Click Five are set to perform. They will play the hits that tugged at our heartstrings. Their songs made us feel seen, understood, and alive.
And the festival isn’t just about the music—it’s a full-on nostalgic experience. Alongside the performances, there will be food booths to keep you fueled, pop-up bars for drinks, photobooths to capture the memories, and exclusive festival and artist merch.
Whether you’re looking for keepsakes or a fun night with friends, the Playback Music Festival has you covered. Tickets will go on sale December 21 at 11 AM through TicketMelon. Prices range from P4,500 for Silver (standing) to P7,950 for Gold (standing). Platinum Moshpit (standing) tickets are P9,000, and Platinum Reserved Seating is P10,000.
What to Expect from the Performances
If you need a refresher, Secondhand Serenade is the iconic one-man act led by John Vesely. Known for heartfelt hits like Fall for You, Your Call, Vulnerable, and Awake, his acoustic sound and emotional lyrics struck a deep chord with fans in the 2000s. Just last August, Secondhand Serenade performed a sold-out two-night concert at the New Frontier Theater, showing that the love for his music hasn’t faded one bit.
Meanwhile, Boys Like Girls gave us unforgettable anthems like Thunder, The Great Escape, Love Drunk, and Two Is Better Than One, their iconic duet with Taylor Swift. These songs dominated playlists and radios, capturing the highs and lows of young love. The band last performed in the Philippines back in April, proving they can still electrify a crowd with their energy and timeless hits.
Completing the lineup is The Click Five, the pop-rock band that delivered catchy classics like Just the Girl, Jenny, Happy Birthday, and Catch Your Wave. Their upbeat, infectious tunes were staples of mid-2000s teen life, and their return is highly anticipated since they last performed in the Philippines in May 2008.
This night promises to bring back all the feels. Whether you’re an emo kid at heart or a pop-rock lover, you’ll enjoy it. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to relive the music that defined a generation. Don’t miss this chance to scream, sing, and feel it all over again. Mark your calendars, rally your friends, and grab those tickets on December 21—you won’t want to miss this!
Cover image credit: Playback Music Festival
