Gone are the days when OPM (Original Pilipino Music) meant only ballads and pop songs on mainstream radio. Today’s scene pulses with innovation, authenticity, and a beautiful resistance to being categorized.
These are the soundtracks of our local indie music scene, as these indie artists in the Philippines represent different sides of the Filipino taste.
From bedroom producers crafting electronic dreamscapes to bands reviving traditional sounds with modern twists, Philippine indie has never been more exciting. Let’s explore ten of the most compelling indie artists in the Philippines today.
Top Filipino Indie Artists:
- TJ Monterde
- ila
- Hev Abi
- emma bot
- gins&melodies
- Noa Mal
- Megumi Acorda
- Oz Kabuhat
- Cream Flower
TJ Monterde
When TJ Monterde performs, something magical happens. The venue—whether an intimate café or a packed concert hall—transforms into a confessional space where strangers find themselves connecting through shared emotions.
In 2024, he won the Wish Pop Song of the Year award at the 9th Wish Music Awards for his hit single, “Palagi”. Not only that, this also marks TJ as the first Filipino artist to reach a billion streams on a single song, making this an achievement not only for TJ himself, but for the Filipino music industry as well.
TJ’s magic lies in his songwriting: deceptively simple melodies that carry the weight of universal experiences: love found, love lost, and the quiet courage of moving forward. When he sings, the music resonates with personal memories that feel strangely familiar.
ila
Here’s something most people miss: ila made Billboard Philippines’ “10 Filipino Artists To Look Out For This 2025” with only two singles at the time. That’s not just impressive—it’s practically unheard of in today’s content-flooded world.
The magic of ila’s music is what she leaves unsaid—the breath between notes, the silence between beats. Her dreamy soundscapes don’t assault your senses; they invite you in, creating an atmosphere of intimate discovery. Her latest single “‘Di Maipagkakaila” has what Billboard calls an “entrancing, ethereal quality” that feels “otherworldly.”
Hev Abi
While everyone was watching the mainstream charts, Hev Abi quietly made history as the first local artist with eight tracks simultaneously on Billboards’ Philippines Songs charts. At just 23, he’s completely reshaping Filipino R&B by mixing emotional depth with a confidence that Gen Z can’t get enough of.
Even if you still haven’t listened to his music intentionally, there’s a 99% chance that you have heard his songs one way or another. His hit singles “Alam Mo Ba Girl”, “WELCOME2DTQ”, and “Para Sa Streets” have all been blasting over the streets of Metro Manila for their undeniable catchiness.
If R&B had a future tense, it would sound like Hev Abi. At the intersection of soul tradition and digital innovation, he crafts songs that feel both timeless and thoroughly modern. His music reflects the beautiful chaos of metro life—the fleeting connections, the missed signals, the moments of perfect understanding in the midst of noise.
emma bot
To enter emma bot’s musical universe is to embrace beautiful contradictions. Their sound is both nostalgic and futuristic, structured and chaotic, intimate and expansive. Their 2024 release “Radio Emma” perfectly blends late ’90s emo nostalgia with forward-looking electronic elements.
emma bot’s Bandcamp page playfully describes them as “bee boo boo bop boo boo beep”—a little hint at the whimsical, digital-first personality that’s earned them over 1.1 million streams with hardly any promotional machine behind them.
They thrive on Bandcamp, where their experimental, genre-bending sound feels right at home. While most artists chase streams on mainstream platforms, they’ve built a deeply committed fanbase on Bandcamp—one that doesn’t just listen but actually buys their music. It’s a rare level of support that speaks volumes about their impact.
gins&melodies
Here’s what makes gins&melodies different: they’ve proven you don’t need to be based in Manila to make it big. With over 187 million streams for “Babaero,” they’re living proof that digital platforms are completely rewriting the rules of who gets to be heard.
They blend regional traditions with modern production in a way that feels both timeless and current—helping these sounds travel beyond their places of origin.
Their breakout hit “Babaero” (187+ million streams) blew up on Spotify, thanks to a perfect mix of algorithmic playlists and word-of-mouth sharing. It’s proof that their music doesn’t just get heard, it gets passed around, keeping them on heavy rotation.
Noa Mal
In an era of singles and playlists, Noa Mal champions the album as an art form. Her prolific output doesn’t come from a place of quantity over quality but from a deep creative well that seems bottomless.
Noa Mal dropped four full-length records in 2023 alone. Her latest album, “I’m the outsider, looking in”, was released earlier this year, which showcases her undeniable talent time and time again.
Each of Noa’s albums creates a complete world, with songs that speak to one another across tracks. Listening to her work is like reading a perfectly crafted short story collection, you finish with the satisfaction of a complete experience.
Megumi Acorda
Megumi Acorda creates music that transports listeners to dreamlike spaces. Her compositions blend gentle melodies with layers of atmospheric sound, creating distinctive sonic landscapes.
Her visual aesthetic complements her music, with both sharing a dreamy, ethereal quality that’s become her signature style. This cohesive artistic approach has helped her stand out in the Philippine indie scene.
Megumi’s performances in Singapore and coverage in music publications like NME Asia highlight her growing recognition beyond Philippine shores—part of a new generation of Filipino artists gaining international attention.
Oz Kabuhat
Oz Kabuhat blends multiple genres into his distinctive sound. His music combines elements of electronica, alt-rock, dream pop, and shoegaze, creating something that defies easy categorization.
As both performer and producer, he handles multiple aspects of his music creation—from writing to recording to production—embodying the independent spirit that defines the indie scene.
His willingness to experiment with different sounds and production techniques results in music that rewards attentive listening, with new details emerging with each play.
Cream Flower
Cream Flower’s dream pop sound creates immersive musical experiences that balance experimentation with accessibility. Their 2024 album “To Remember Is To Live” showcases their talent for crafting atmospheric songs that linger in the mind.
Their successful vinyl launch party at Mow’s Bar during PopFest Manila 2025 reveals something crucial that online metrics miss—their strong real-world community connection and ability to drive physical attendance, increasingly rare and valuable qualities in today’s digital-first landscape.
Cream Flower’s collective approach and immersive sound draw in listeners who crave full experiences, not just singles. Their music thrives on platforms that encourage deep dives into their artistic vision, where fans can truly get lost in the sound.
FAQ: Philippine Indie Artists in 2025
What venues are important to the Philippine indie scene?
Key venues for live indie music in the Philippines include SaGuijo, Route 196, Mow’s Bar, and Balcony Music House in Metro Manila. These intimate spaces serve as community hubs where artists develop their craft and connect with audiences. University campuses also frequently host indie performances, especially during cultural festivals.
What major music festivals showcase Philippine indie artists?
Festivals like Wanderland Music and Arts Festival, All Of The Noise, and Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival regularly feature indie acts alongside more established artists. These events provide valuable exposure and allow fans to discover new music. Smaller, indie-specific events happen throughout the year in major cities like Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
How has digital distribution changed the indie scene in the Philippines?
Digital platforms have revolutionized how indie artists reach audiences. Services like DistroKid, CD Baby, and TuneCore enable independent artists to publish across streaming platforms while maintaining their rights. This has democratized music distribution, allowing artists from anywhere in the Philippines to find listeners without needing major label support.
What music styles are most common in the Philippine indie scene?
The scene spans numerous genres, including indie folk, dream pop, shoegaze, electronic, R&B, and rock. Many artists blend these styles with traditional Filipino musical elements, creating unique sounds that reflect both global influences and local heritage. This diversity is one of the scene’s greatest strengths.
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