The emo and pop-punk anthems that defined the 2000s are making their way back to the Philippines as the Playback Punk Rock & Emo Music Festival 2026 reunites Dashboard Confessional, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Faber Drive for two highly anticipated shows this May.

Ahead of the festival’s Manila stop on May 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Cebu show on May 9 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, the bands met fans during a press conference and live performances at the TriNoma Activity Center on May 7—offering a preview of the nostalgia, energy, and emotional connection audiences can expect from the festival.

Canadian pop-rock band Faber Drive opened the event with performances of “Timebomb” and “When I’m With You,” instantly taking fans back to the soundtrack of their teenage years.

@easyrockmanila Did @Faber Drive’s just bring you back to your first love with “When I’m With You” or is it just us? 🤭 #PlaybackMusicFestival2026 #PlaybackMusicFestival #FaberDrive #fyp ♬ original sound - Easy Rock Manila

The band also shared their appreciation for Filipino fans, saying they believe some of their biggest supporters are in the Philippines.

During the press conference, Faber Drive reflected on how their music focused on hope, love, and feeling alive during an era when many emo-pop acts leaned heavily into heartbreak.

Frontman Dave Faber said positivity has always been intentional in their music. “I’m a Christian and I believe in hope. I believe in love. I believe in forgiveness,” Faber shared. “So to me, Jesus is my hope… definitely want to be hopeful.”

Drummer Seamus O’Neill added a lighthearted moment, joking: “Whenever I write songs about heartbreak, he’s like, ‘Nope.’” The exchange highlighted the sincerity that continues to define Faber Drive’s music years later.

The energy shifted up another level when The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus took the stage. Frontman Ronnie Winter described the Philippines as a place that has always felt like home to the band, even saying he would want their final show to happen in Manila if they ever retire.

Asked what fans could expect from their Playback Music Festival set, Winter promised an all-out performance. “It’s going to be action-packed,” he said. “The ones that we put on here in the Philippines, we go all out.”

@easyrockmanila Be honest—did “Your Guardian Angel” by @The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus get you through something too? 🤍 #PlaybackMusicFestival2026 #PlaybackMusicFestival #TheRedJumpsuitApparatus #fyp ♬ original sound - Easy Rock Manila

Winter added that the band’s strong connection with Filipino fans pushes them to perform at a different level. The band also got the crowd involved by asking attendees to vote between “Face Down” and “Your Guardian Angel,” with the latter winning the fan vote.

Closing the event was Dashboard Confessional, with frontman Chris Carrabba once again expressing his appreciation for Filipino fans. Carrabba said Filipinos are “the best singers in the whole wide world,” adding that the band often goes out after shows just to hear locals sing during karaoke sessions.

He also thanked fans for supporting Dashboard Confessional through the years. “Thanks for coming to our shows and singing like you do,” he said.

One of the evening’s biggest surprises came when Carrabba revealed he would perform the rarely played “Age Six Racer” exclusively for the press conference audience.

@easyrockmanila Safe to say hearing @Dashboard Confessional’s “So Long, So Long” live at the @playbackmusicfest press conference felt pretty special 🥰 #PlaybackMusicFestival2026 #PlaybackMusicFestival #DashboardConfessional #fyp ♬ original sound - Easy Rock Manila

According to Carrabba, the song would not be part of the official concert setlist, making the performance a special moment only those at the event were able to witness.

Dashboard Confessional closed with “Don’t Wait” and “Belle of the Boulevard,” sending longtime fans into full sing-along mode.

With nostalgic performances, heartfelt stories, and promises of unforgettable live shows, the Playback Punk Rock & Emo Music Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a celebration of the music that defined a generation—and the Filipino fans who have kept it alive.