Cure for wanderlust: Wanderland 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Wanderland is above ground. Crawl out of your rabbit holes and tumble headfirst into one of Manila’s most highly anticipated music festivals of the year.

The event, which takes place on May 18, opens its gates at 11 a.m. at Globe Circuit Event Grounds in Makati. It is organized by Karpos Multimedia Inc., who brought us “The Cranberries Live in Manila” as well as "We Are The In Crowd: This Century” and “Set Your Goals Live in Manila.”

Though the hype and anticipation behind Wanderland begin to cruise on mainstream, it flows back to its roots by taking a sharp turn for the up-and-coming and indie. And despite inviting a lineup of diverse artists from all over the world, the festival showcases homegrown pride as well.

The local lineup consists of the female-fronted Up Dharma Down and Taken By Cars, the former of which is responsible for OPM hits Tadhana and Turn It Well while the latter is behind singles Shapeshifter and This is Our City.  With them are the lesser known but equally compelling upcoming acts, the duo Yolanda Moon and trio Pulso.  Wrapping up the set is the four-man collegiate band She’s Only Sixteen, who are making their way up charts and hearts with songs like Dying to Meet You and Amygdala.

International acts include alternative rock band Neon Trees, whose single Animal soared to the top of the alternative rock chart of 2010 and orchestrated their breakthrough to bigger audiences. Their other singles include Everybody Talks and 1983.

Also on the lineup are true American kids of the ‘90s Nada Surf, who came together 11 years ago and spawned the track Popular in 1996.  Sure enough, the single got what its title was called, and was followed up by the song Inside of Love among six other studio albums.

Cousins Tim Commandeur and Chris Holland make up the Australian pop duo Colour Coding, also performing.  Their pop resounds through singles like Hold Tight and Perfect.

Avalanche City, also on the lineup, is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and frontman Dave Baxter. Their sound also features more instruments like the mandolin and glockenspiel; their songs include Love Love Love, Sunset, and Drive On.

Then enter Tully on Tully, hailing from Australia and fronted by Natalie Foster.  Formed in 2011, the indie quintet has since produced Hard to Breathe, Naked, and Stay (featuring Hayden Calnin).

Finally, the sonic boom: heading the listing is the Australian rock band Temper Trap, who got their big break with the single Sweet Disposition.  The song was featured in the film 500 Days of Summer among other soundtracks, and was succeeded by Fader. The band’s eponymous second album came out last year, carrying Need Your Love, Trembling Hands and the appropriate Rabbit Hole.

“Anyone who listens is gonna get theirs,” frontman Dougy Mandagi sings, “when the water floods down / to the rabbit hole / you think we’re gonna run / if you think we’re gonna run, you’re wrong.”

And there is no reason to run, only to stay. Rain or shine, the show will go on — as will the jousts, the bull rides, the inflatable slides, the Velcro wall, and the music. Throw in extra performances by live artists from vinyl toy shop Secret Fresh and design collective Thursday Room, as well as work from visual artist Anjo Bolardo and digital artist Martojaks.

You don’t have to travel far and wide to hear international acts with a good ear and to see good art.  Music — foreign and Filipino, commercial and indie — is served to you on a platter at tomorrow’s Wanderland 2013.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld, SM Tickets, and Ticketnet outlets. Log on to www.wanderland.ph for other details.