There’s a certain kind of magic that Philippine concert halls hold, and perhaps that magic is what keeps LANY coming back, time and time again.
With over ten shows in the Philippines since their debut in 2014, LANY’s presence here is undeniable — almost like resident performers. For the California-bred indie pop band, their music has become so native to Filipinos that it could almost be considered our very own. These songs have taken on the daily Philippine experience, documenting our everyday lives. We’ve listened to “ILYSB” on our nighttime commutes, “13” when hurting from a heartbreak, even “pink skies” makes the occasional appearance on our TikTok feeds through multiple fan-made edits.
“Manila — the Philippines was one of the first places in the world that really understood our band and appreciated what we were doing,” says frontman Paul Klein in an exclusive interview with Billboard Philippines. “So, as long as we’re a band, we’ll always be coming back to the Philippines.”
Drummer Jake Goss echoed this sentiment, saying, “You guys sing louder and better than anyone in the world, so it’s always fun to play here.” He attributed this to the “big hearts” Filipinos share, “I feel like the way we love our songs, you guys love them the same and so there’s just like a lot of passion and love.”

In October of 2024, the band concluded the Philippine leg of their tour for A Beautiful Blur, filling up the massive Philippine Arena in Bulacan with 55,000 fans for their largest show to date. In Cebu, they played three sold-out nights at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino. As a testament to their popularity, LANY’s songs dominated the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart following their tour, securing seven entries.
From mall shows in their early days to sold-out arenas, LANY’s growth as a band has mirrored the evolving support of their Filipino audience, who turn massive venues into intimate karaoke halls filled with raw, heartfelt singalongs. With the Filipinos’ undeniable affliction for heartbreak melodies and harkening towards the overall culture of the sawi (brokenhearted), the band’s breakup ballads transcend cultural barriers.
Even as the band transitions to a fresh period in their production, their mission to reflect their honest experiences in song remains the same.
With A Beautiful Blur, LANY enter a new phase, blending fresh sounds with the authentic heart that fans have come to love. Moving away from the synth-pop of earlier albums like Malibu Nights and their self-titled debut, the album showcases their indie influences and wider creative range. Klein explained, “We love all kinds of music and would hate to box ourselves in.”

Photographed by Dookie Ducay. Creative Direction by Nicole Almero. Photography assisted by Sean Francisco & Lou Fajardo. Story by Rome Saenz.
Special Thanks to @livenationph @akosynixon
Jake mentioned that a moodboard inspired by artists like Fred Again.., Lil Yachty, U2’s The Joshua Tree, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers helped guide the production. “We tried to combine both the fresh and familiar,” Klein added, capturing the balance of new influences while staying true to LANY’s roots.
Even with their evolving sound, LANY’s lyrics remain rooted in simple, heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply. As Paul put it, “The songs we write make sense for the human experience. We’re not that mysterious with our lyrics. It’s not like you need to decode what we’re saying.” Jake echoes this sentiment that music hits even harder when paired with meaningful lyrics; “Music really hits me in the heart… That’s kind of a magic touch.”
This same magic touch has breached the country’s airwaves, as the band’s music constructs narratives that resonate with even international audiences. Their ability to create emotional universality through deeply personal, yet simply written lyrics ensures they stand out globally. It’s plausible to say that a big contributor to their success lies in their ability to voice the universal experiences of love and heartbreak with authenticity, drawing fans worldwide.
LANY’s journey from recording in a kitchen on a Dell computer to filling arenas worldwide is an homage to their perseverance and passion. Their breakthrough came with 2018’s Malibu Nights, which marked a turning point in both their sound and their confidence as a band. Touring internationally with this album helped them realise their full potential. Jake recalls one pivotal moment during their 2017 performance at Sloss Fest in Birmingham, Alabama: “I think something’s going on with us,” he told Klein after the show. That moment drove them to elevate their production, seeking guidance from experienced producers.

Photographed by Dookie Ducay. Creative Direction by Nicole Almero. Photography assisted by Sean Francisco & Lou Fajardo. Story by Rome Saenz.
Special Thanks to @livenationph @akosynixon
With a newfound clarity and commitment to pushing their creative boundaries, LANY’s journey is far from over. For Filipino fans, the promise that LANY will continue returning to the Philippines holds special meaning — a mutual love that transcends oceans and language. We can always be assured that LANY’s music will continue to navigate us through the most mundane of experiences, to even the biggest heartbreaks.
As long as Philippine concert halls remain packed with fans singing every word, LANY will always vow to come back to their “home away from home.”

Photographed by Dookie Ducay. Creative Direction by Nicole Almero. Photography assisted by Sean Francisco & Lou Fajardo. Story by Rome Saenz.
Special Thanks to @livenationph @akosynixon