Manila’s &FRIENDS Festival returns this June across three stages at Forbes five-star Okada Manila. Ahead of the mega-festival, DJ Smooth Brain and DJ Honey Gee, two of the artists whose stages are set to get Manila rocking – tease us as to what to expect during their incredible sets!

DJ Smooth Brain Girly

What are three words that sum up your music?

Fun, Kinetic and Cheeky.

For a newcomer to your work, what’s the top track they should be checking out first and why?

I think so far, SYBER Bali is probably my best work out. But if you like something even harder, bass-y: my Stovelab Echo Chamber set would be good!

What are you most excited about &FRIENDS Festival? Is there a song or performance in particular that audiences looking forward to your set should be checking out?

I’ve heard crazy things about the Philippines crowd: so I’m honestly just soooo excited to dance, sing, jump w everyone! I think if you love baile funk, jersey, bass, speed house, you’ll have fun w me <3

⁠What Filipino dishes are you most looking forward to having while you’re there?

I wanna say EVERYTHINGGG! I know yall got GOOOOD FOOOOD, so I want to try everything if I can

What’s your favorite song that you’re listening to right now?

Listening to a lot of Daft Punk rn! Particularly, ‘Instant Crush’ aaaand I’m always bumping Wet Leg and lately also Fcukers!

DJ Honey Gee

What are three words that sum up your music?

Feeling, Passion, Happiness.

For a newcomer to your work, what’s the top track they should check out first and why?

I would recommend “Early Days” by Justin Prime & Honey Gee. Justin Prime and I created this track because we wanted to bring the industrial hard dance sound back to a new generation of listeners. It’s a song that people from different generations can connect with, share the same feeling and enjoy together.

What are you most excited about at &FRIENDS Festival? Is there a song or performance in particular that audiences looking forward to your set should be checking out?

I’m extremely excited because this will be my first time performing Honey Gee’s music at a major festival in the Philippines. I can’t wait to showcase my new traditional Thai outfit along with new music and fresh edits. Some of the tracks in my set are still unreleased. So the audience will get to hear them for the very first time.

What Filipino dishes are you most looking forward to having while you’re there?

I would love to have Chicken Inasal again. I tried it last year and it was absolutely delicious. Another dish I’m really looking forward to trying is Lechon. I’ve seen so many photos of it and heard people talk about how amazing it is. Which makes me even more excited to finally taste it myself.

What’s your favorite song that you’re listening to right now?

Right now, I’m loving “Vielleicht Vielleicht (Holy Priest & elMefti Remix)” by MilleniumKid & JBS. Since I’m living in Germany. I hear this track quite often and it has become one of my favorite songs. The energy is incredible and I never get tired of listening to it.

&FRIENDS Festival, Manila, runs from the 19th – 20th June. Tickets can be found at Ticketmelon and MOVETIX