Entertainment
Faber Drive, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Dashboard Confessional Tease What’s Ahead at Playback Music Festival During Live Press Conference
The voices behind the soundtracks of every Filipino teenager’s life made their way to the Philippines for the Playback Music Festival. Iconic bands such as Faber Drive, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Dashboard Confessional met with members of the media and their fans during a live press conference held on May 7, 2026, at the TriNoma Activity Center, a day ahead of the highly anticipated festival.
The press conference offered fans and media a sneak peek of what to expect on May 8, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, and on May 9, 2026, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Faber Drive‘s First Live Performance in the Philippines
Before the formal press conference began, Faber Drive immediately brought back waves of nostalgia as they performed their hit songs Time Bomb and When I’m With You.
Faber Drive’s participation in the Playback Music Festival marks their first-ever live performance in the Philippines. When asked how it felt to finally meet their Filipino fans after all these years, the band shared, “It feels amazing! We wanted to do this ever since finding out that we had a following here.”
“This is why we wanted to come here, because we love you guys,” they added, while thanking fans for patiently waiting for their visit to the Philippines. They also acknowledged familiar faces they had seen from Instagram.
What’s on Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ Manila Bucket List
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has visited the country a couple of times, with their most recent appearance in 2024.
When asked if there were still items left on their Manila bucket list, the members shared a mix of personal goals and experiences they look forward to. Ronnie hopes to return to the Philippines with his son so he can meet his cousins, K expressed his desire to get tattooed by Apo Whang-Od, and Nadeem shared that he is eager to explore more of the country’s beautiful beaches.
Before leaving the stage, Ronnie treated fans to a special moment as he performed their all-time favorite hit Your Guardian Angel, drawing loud cheers and sing-alongs from the crowd.
Despite their previous visits, the band emphasized that there is still so much they want to experience both in Manila and across the Philippines, making each return feel just as meaningful as the first.
Growing Up with Dashboard Confessional’s Music
Dashboard Confessional has a wide discography that many Filipino teenagers have grown up with, serving as the soundtrack to countless coming-of-age moments. With fans now revisiting their music live, the band reflected on performing for longtime listeners—especially those seeing them onstage for the first time.
When asked how it feels to perform for this mix of old and new fans, Dashboard Confessional shared, “It’s an honor, it feels like we’re going on a trip in a time machine together.”
To make the night even more special, the band treated the crowd to live performances of Age Six Racer, Don’t Wait, and Belle of the Boulevard, each song met with loud cheers and heartfelt sing-alongs from the audience.
To finally see your favorite band—the ones who helped shape you through your teenage years—feels like a dream come true for many fans. Through their recent performances, audiences were able to relive memories, both good and bad, and reflect on how these songs became part of life’s most defining moments.
