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The First Techno Rave in Baguio City: A New Beat in the Highlands of the Philippines

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On August 30, 2025, the city of Baguio known for its pine trees, cool air, and acoustic cafés made history. For the first time ever, its mountains echoed with the pounding heartbeat of techno. What was once thought impossible became reality: a true underground rave in the City of Pines.. Photo from Nicole This was not just an event. It was a cultural breakthrough. A night where strangers became one community, where music spoke louder than words, and where the underground movement of the Philippines officially carved its mark into Baguio’s story. Photo from Techno PH A Journey Full of Twists The road to this moment was anything but smooth. The rave was originally scheduled for August 22, 2025 , the true date shared only within private Telegram channels to protect the community’s privacy — because in the Philippines, the rave scene is still not for everyone. Publicly, however, the date was announced as August 23 , a deliberate move to safeguard the gathering. But when heavy weather and c...
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HERB: SYNTH-INSPIRED GROOVES AND SOULFUL TECHNO

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From the nostalgic buzz of '80s synths to the pulsing rhythm of Manila’s underground, Herb is a producer and DJ who crafts dance music with depth, emotion, and intention. Photo from HERB His journey began with a spark hearing Kraftwerk’s Das Model in the early '80s. That one track opened the door to a lifetime of sonic discovery: The Human League, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode. For Herb, electronic music wasn’t just sound it was a gateway into mood, texture, and movement. It wasn’t long before he found himself behind the DAW, exploring how to build those feelings from scratch. “When digital audio workstations became more accessible, I started producing my own music. That’s when I really got serious. Sound design became something I fell in love with, it’s what shapes the identity of every track.” Photo from HERB Today, Herb’s music spans house, techno, and beyond. His signature style is driven by melodic and soulful energy, often fusing raw and industrial ideas with warm...
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Tomorrowland Heads to Asia: Thailand Gears Up for 2026 Debut 🌏

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In a move that’s set to shake the global festival landscape, Tomorrowland is officially heading to Asia for the first time ever, with Thailand named as the host country for its 2026 edition. This landmark announcement doesn’t just mark a new chapter for one of the world’s most iconic electronic music festivals it signals a major shift in how the global scene is expanding, diversifying, and reimagining its future. Why Thailand? With its world-famous hospitality, vibrant nightlife, and growing dance music community, Thailand is a natural choice. The country has already proven itself a prime destination for international events from Full Moon parties to Wonderfruit and Tomorrowland’s arrival only cements its place on the global music map. Thailand’s tourism board is fully backing the move, projecting a massive boost in travel, hospitality, and nightlife industries. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of fans from across Asia and beyond will flock to the festival, making it not only a ...
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Underground Over Everything: Why Manila Needs More Illegal Raves

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When the lights go off and the city falls silent, a different kind of heartbeat pulses beneath Manila’s surface one that doesn't care for velvet ropes, overpriced cocktails, or corporate sponsors. It’s raw, sweaty, fast, and loud. It’s underground. And right now, Manila needs more of it.  The Problem With Mainstream Clubs Let’s be hones most commercial venues in the Philippines aren’t built for real ravers. From early curfews to generic DJ lineups, the energy often feels safe, packaged, and disconnected from the roots of techno culture. The music? Filtered. The crowd? There for selfies. The vibe? Controlled. What once started as rebellion has become business. And in doing so, something got lost. What Makes Underground Raves Different? Underground raves are more than just parties. They're temporary autonomous zones where people gather not just to dance but to exist freely. There are no bouncers checking your shoes, no overpriced tables. It’s community-built. The crowd? All-in. T...
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RAYRAYTAIWAN: How an EDM Icon is Bringing HardTechno Energy to the Philippines

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&FRIENDS Festival Okada Manila May 30, 2025 In a sea of flashing lights and festival anthems, something raw, dark, and powerful slipped through the speakers at the &FRIENDS Festival last weekend HardTechno . And the one behind the decks, delivering that punch? None other than RayRay, the fierce Taiwanese DJ known for her high-octane sets and genre-bending style. Photo from RayRay IG While the festival leaned heavily into mainstream EDM with names like Zedd, BOTCASH, and Hoang lighting up the main stage, RayRay carved her own path introducing an unsuspecting Manila crowd to the hard-hitting sounds of underground rave culture. It wasn’t just a set. It was a statement. From Bass Queen to Techno Warrior RayRay’s roots lie in trap, dubstep, and bass-heavy genres, but she’s never been afraid to push boundaries. During her Manila set, she wove in elements of HardTechno gritty 150+ BPM kicks, industrial textures, and hypnotic build-ups that flipped the vibe entirely. It was a refreshin...
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The Many Faces of Techno: Exploring Its Sub-genres

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Originating in Detroit in the 1980s, techno has since spawned countless sub-genres that each bring their own flavor to the global underground scene. Whether you're a seasoned raver or just diving into the world of four-on-the-floor, here's a breakdown of some of the most iconic techno sub-genres and a must-hear track for each one. 1. Detroit Techno The origin : Born in the Motor City in the 1980s, Detroit techno blends futuristic sounds with a soulful, funk-infused groove. It’s the root of it all. 🎧 Sample: Derrick May – "Strings of Life" The track that defined a generation and launched a movement. This track is a seminal piece in the Detroit techno scene. Released in 1987 under the alias Rhythim Is Rhythim, it encapsulates the essence of Detroit techno with its fusion of electronic rhythms and emotive melodies. 2. Minimal Techno The essence : Stripped-down and hypnotic, minimal techno focuses on subtle shifts, sparse beats, and repetition that pulls you into a tran...
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PAULY: The Architect of Underground Vibe Shifts

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Exploring the Beat Episode 7:  P A U L Y Few DJs can trace their musical lineage as deeply and diversely as PAULY. With roots entwined in disco, '90s hip-hop, new wave, and a defining immersion in electronic music during the 2000s, PAULY isn’t just a DJ/producer he’s a movement in motion. Photo from PAULY Curator of the Unseen Sound Cutting his teeth as a radio DJ for over a decade, he curated sonic spaces far from the commercial spotlight, shaping ears and influencing taste long before algorithmic playlists took the wheel. That same instinct now pulses through his current roles: Musical Director of VULAN , Creative Director for Trance Til Dawn , and a core force behind House Collab Underground .  More than titles, these are signals. Of trust, vision, and cultural weight. Photo from  PAULY Holding the Floor, Holding the Feeling At the decks, PAULY doesn’t just play tracks he builds bridges. His sets glide between genres with surgical precision and emotional intelligence, ...
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The New Generation of Clubbing in the Philippines

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Will Filipino people shift toward Music Over Alcohol?   In the heart of the Philippines' nightlife scene, a quiet revolution is underway. Once dominated by VIP tables, bottle service, and commercial Top 40 hits, a new generation of club goers is changing the game prioritizing the music over the booze, the vibe over the vanity. Photo by  Justin Gonzalez A Culture in Transition For years, Filipino nightlife has revolved around drinking culture. A typical Friday night out meant gathering friends for rounds of beer or hard liquor, seated around tables more than on dance floors. But recently, there's been a cultural shift especially among younger Filipinos and the underground creative communities in Manila, Cebu, and even smaller cities. These new-age ravers are bringing back the essence of what clubbing was meant to be: a sonic and sensory experience , a place to connect, dance, and get lost in the rhythm not just a venue for social drinking. From VIP to Vibe: Prioritizing Music F...
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The Creative Process of Early Filipino Techno DJs and Producers in the Philippines

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Exploring the Beat: Episode 2 Ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of the Philippines' vibrant musical identity? Prepare to be surprised. Beyond the well-trodden paths of pop and cultural anthems, a thrilling and innovative world of techno and electronic music is flourishing. We're taking you on a journey into this electrifying underground, spotlighting the artists who are shaping its sound: the captivating Samantha Nicole, the intense Abdel Aziz, the genre-bending Badkiss, the pioneering Joey Santos, the melodic Daisu, and the energetic Jemina Ty. Discover how these sonic innovators are fusing local flavor with futuristic beats, crafting a uniquely Filipino electronic experience. Photo by GMN Samantha Nicole Photo by SamanthaNicoleFBPage Samantha Nicole is a key figure in Manila’s underground scene and a resident DJ at Today x Future (RIP) and UNKNWN. Her sets often include techno, house, and experimental club tracks, blending them with flawless mixing and a sense of n...
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