Rex Orange County reunited with Manila fans for a special, one-of-a-kind concert experience, rekindling a longtime friendship through music.
On August 20, 2026, Mall of Asia Arena was filled with familiar melodies, emotional lyrics, and thousands of voices as British singer-songwriter Rex Orange County returned to Manila for his Exclusive Asia Show. Three years after his first Manila concert at the Big Dome in 2023, Rex once again found himself surrounded by Filipino fans who had grown with his music. The event was presented by LaLaLa Festival and Wilbros Live.
Rex Orange County’s music might already sound familiar, even to casual listeners. Over the years, several of his songs have found a second life on social media, particularly on TikTok. Tracks such as “Sunflower,” “Best Friend,” “Loving Is Easy,” and “The Shade” have become recognizable sounds for videos, edits, and personal moments that have been shared online.
More than a concert, the Manila show felt like a reunion. Rex Orange County, or Alexander James O’Connor in real life, brings not just happiness but also an emotional nostalgia. His music has always carried an intimate quality, turning stories about love, uncertainty, friendship, and growing up into songs that listeners can easily make their own. That connection was evident throughout the evening as the Filipino crowd sang along (as usual) to both longtime favorites and newer releases.
A live experience of your music playlist
The adrenaline was pumping, the excitement was building, and the Manila crowd could barely contain itself. After years of waiting, the much-awaited moment had finally arrived again.
The dimmed light gradually opened as Rex Orange County set his foot on the stage and opened the night with “Television,” immediately setting the tone for an evening that moved between nostalgia and excitement. The show continued with fan favorites such as “Amazing,” “The Shade,” “Never Enough,” “One in a Million,” and “Pluto Projector.”
Rex also gave his Filipino fans something they had never experienced before, which made the show exceptional and exclusive. He performed “Indecision” live for the first time. The song was released on the same day as the Manila concert; the song features singer Daniel Caesar and introduces a more recent chapter in Rex’s musical journey. He also performed “Take a Drive” live for the first time during the show.
As the show progressed, the atmosphere became increasingly communal. “Corduroy Dreams,” “Loving Is Easy,” and “Sunflower,” transformed the arena into a massive sing-along, allowing the venue to shine more.
When the remaining set reached “Best Friend” and “Happiness,” fans turned the familiar lyrics into a shared celebration. The audience don’t want the night to end yet, they keep cheering and asking for more. Rex returned on the stage with “4 Seasons” for the encore, making the arena shaken once again.
Rather than relying solely on spectacle, the performance allowed the songs themselves to take center stage. Every familiar chorus seemed to trigger a memory, making the concert feel personal even within the massive MOA Arena.
Sa QC, sa UP, sa Rex Orange County
The night became even more special with the presence of Filipino artists like the band Over October and OPM hitmaker Maki. Their inclusion added a distinctly local character to Rex’s only headlining Asia show, creating a bridge between international indie-pop and the growing OPM scene.
The crowd cheered when the band Over October opened the show with “Dahan-dahan” and “123.” Meanwhile, the whole arena gets more intense and hype when they perform their hit song “Ikot,” ending their set for the night.
Maki’s appearance was particularly meaningful. He performed “Dilaw,” “Saan?” and “kahel na langit,” bringing his own sound to an audience gathered primarily for Rex. He also performed his recently released song “Habangbuhay Pansamantala,” which features SB19 member Justin.
For Maki, the collaboration represented a full-circle moment. He recalled previously covering Rex Orange County’s songs before eventually sharing the same stage with the artist himself.
That moment captured what made the concert resonate beyond the music. Rex Orange County’s songs have inspired listeners, musicians, and aspiring artists across generations and borders. Seeing a Filipino artist who once covered his music perform alongside him demonstrated how music can travel from headphones and bedroom playlists to one of the country’s biggest concert stages.
The return of Manila’s best friend
Rex Orange County’s return to Manila felt like more than another international concert stop. It was a celebration of how far the artist and his audience had come. Rex returned to a crowd that still remembered every word, proving that after three years, he’s still the beloved best friend of Manila.
And as the final notes faded inside the arena, one thing became clear: for Rex Orange County and his Filipino fans, the connection was never really gone—it was simply waiting for another night to come alive.
Pop Journal extends its gratitude to Wilbros Live for the media invite to cover Rex Orange County Exclusive Asia Show in Manila.
Photos: Hilmar Dela Cruz
