PH City Pop band and Manila Sound fusion ALYSON is back in the metro after bringing its signature sound to the international stage at AXEAN FESTIVAL in Bali, Indonesia and to Cebu for September Fever. Fresh from the two major performances, the band is now teasing a possible region-wide bar tour that could bring the ALYSON experience closer to more ALYSTANS across Luzon.
Over the years, ALYSON has carved out a distinct space in the local music scene, becoming a go-to name in the indie circuit for its signature fusion of Japanese City Pop and the ever-classic Manila Sound, alongside its dynamic, genre-spanning sonic library.
Hailing from Quezon City, the jazz-pop, sharp-suited sensations first made their mark with their debut album, DEFINITELY LOVE!, earning recognition from major music media outlets including Billboard Philippines and Billboard Georgia’s NEXT GEN campaign.
With a sound and style distinctly their own, ALYSON continues to make waves both onstage and beyond the local music scene—and the band’s recent journey to Indonesia and Cebu marks only the beginning of what could be its global takeover.
The blue-suited players of ALYSON are Pio Ligot on vocals and rhythm guitar, Luis Uy on lead guitar, Marcus Mababangloob on drums, Miguel Erfe on bass, and Easel Manes on keyboard.
From “AFTER OURS” to the International Stage
AXEAN Music Festival in Bali, Indonesia served as ALYSON’s first stop following the release of its sophomore album, AFTER OURS. The record sees the band further explore and incorporate the Manila Sound while refining its music into a more conceptual and streamlined experience, complete with a narrative reminiscent of a “teleserye” or a “KDrama.”
Before taking AFTER OURS to the international stage in Bali, the band showcased the album in the metro through an album release party last July.
After celebrating the release with its usual crowd and at familiar haunts, ALYSON flew to Indonesia and Cebu, bringing its distinct musical experience to new audiences and introducing the band’s sound to fresh eyes and ears.
“It was a dream to be able to play outside the Philippines,” shared Marcus when asked about what the band felt performing abroad. “We’ve said it time and again how we draw from Japanese and even Indonesian music and the parallels we have with our own musical history, so being able to play on a stage that reflects that is a huge thing for us.”
Mababangloob also shared some of his discoveries while connecting with fellow ASEAN music lovers, artists, and delegates at the AXEAN Music Festival.
He expressed his surprise at how much the Philippine music scene shares with its neighboring islands, particularly in the way music—both local and international—is valued. He described this realization as a kind of “spider-verse,” highlighting the interconnectedness of music and culture across the region.
One of the most memorable experiences for the band was the response of the Bali audience. According to Mababangloob, the crowd’s warmth felt similar to what ALYSON usually experiences from its audiences in the Philippines, allowing the band to fully groove and connect throughout its set.
Bringing the ALYSON Experience to Cebu
As for the September Fever stage in Cebu, the drummer noticed a different atmosphere while still finding a familiar sense of comfort.
Mababangloob described it as a “homecourt we never knew.”
“I felt like a lot of the crowd knew our music and were fans despite us never playing there before,” Mababangloob shared.
The experience further cemented the power of music to transcend borders. The Cebu crowd embraced the ALYSON set so enthusiastically that one fan even took on the role of an “unofficial” dance instructor, energizing the audience even more throughout the performance.
“He got everyone dancing in a way that got us even more hype. A real treat,” he noted. “We really felt the love from everyone.”
Performing on two stages that were different in varying degrees yet equally significant in their own ways, and doing so within such a short period, gave ALYSON new opportunities to reaffirm its musical identity and see firsthand how its music creates meaningful connections with people.
For Mababangloob, the experience also reinforced the band’s desire to be a Filipino band whose music is not confined to its own context as carriers of the OPM sound, but one capable of connecting with the greater Southeast Asian music sphere—and beyond.
ALYSON Eyes a Luzon-Wide Tour
Continuing to push the envelope when it comes to live performances, an ALYSON Luzon-wide tour is currently in the works, made possible by the band’s record label Offshore Music.
The band will also perform live at The Cozy Cove in Baguio on September 25.
Tickets are available through the band’s official social media channels.
Support ALYSON everywhere and every time by streaming AFTER OURS, the sophomore album from ALYSON, now available on all digital streaming platforms.
