Everything That Went Down at Manila’s First Waterbomb Music Festival

Waterbomb Manila 2025 turned Quirino Grandstand into the ultimate summer party. With Manila’s tropical heat, the endless sprays of water made everything even more refreshing. Whether you were getting blasted by water guns, dancing in the rain or just vibing with friends, it was a unique experience.

From the moment Thea Astley hit the stage, the crowd was energized. Then came a wave of solid performances—B.I had fans cheering as he moved closer to the audience, singing hits like “Tasty.” Kim Jong Kook took us back with his classic hits, including “사랑스러운.” Dynamic Duo kept the energy high with their beats, engaging the crowd and making sure they stayed moving. STAYC had fans dancing and singing along to songs like “Teddy Bear” and “ASAP.”

Lee Chae Yeon delivered sharp choreography and strong vocals. She also performed a medley of IZ*ONE songs, bringing a sense of nostalgia. Kwon Eun Bi showed off her dance skills and commanding voice, performing “Underwater” to an excited crowd.

Baekho’s powerful voice stood out as he performed tracks like “Elevator” and “Wet & Wild,” the official theme of Waterbomb 2024. Hwasa commanded the stage with confidence, keeping the audience engaged. Epik High delivered their signature rap style, making each track feel like an anthem.

The DJs—Apro, Imlay, J.E.B, DJ Roots, ZB & Ation and Raiden—kept the momentum going, dropping beats that kept the crowd moving and water flying.

Experiencing it all with friends was the highlight. Getting drenched together, laughing while dodging water blasts and singing along made the night unforgettable. Strangers turned into dance partners, and every song felt like a shared moment.

As the night wrapped up, the final act took the stage. Before the last performance, a fireworks display lit up the sky. Chanyeol’s set had the crowd fully engaged. Songs like “Black Out,” “Back Again” and “Hasta La Vista” felt even more powerful under the lights and water sprays. His interaction with the audience made the night feel like a shared celebration.

After two days of excitement, Waterbomb Manila 2025 came to a close on Sunday, February 23, at Quirino Grandstand. The crowd stayed engaged as Sunmi, Hyolyn, Gray, BamBam, Skull & Haha, OH MY GIRL, Kang Daniel, Reddy, VIVIZ and Yang Se Chan took the stage.

Both local and international acts kept the energy up, with performances from Sulreggae, U-KWON, Insidecore, Ater & Neo, Siena Girls, Mar Vista, 2SPADE and Kenet. Rising P-pop groups Zela and BILIB—composed of Zio, Carlo, Rafael, RC, Yukito, JMAC and Clyde—added to the lineup with their high-energy set.

Jessi closed the festival with her biggest hits, bringing Waterbomb Manila 2025 to a strong finish.

Waterbomb Music Festival started in 2015 in South Korea. It features performances from K-pop idols, hip-hop artists and DJs, mixed with large-scale water fights using water guns, hoses and cannons. Bringing the same energy to Manila, Waterbomb 2025 showed that music and water make for the perfect summer festival.

Until next year, Waterbomb Manila!