Being performative these days is all about trying to form a specific identity and be different, deliberately choosing not to be like the others. It has become an infamous trend that, if you’re not in the know, involves sipping matcha lattes, carrying tote bags, reading books, and of course, listening to certain artists.
And if you’ve already had your matcha fix and your tote is weighed down with patches, pins, and trinkets, the next move is curating the music you’ll claim as your own, or at least what you want the world to see you’re a fan of, which is carefully constructed under the so-called “female gaze.”
Ultimately, it says less about showing off your true taste in music and more about how your choice of artists — your so-called “indie” gems and deep cuts — shapes the way others perceive you. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with that, right? Riding trends and faking your personality to please people is something many of us have done in our lives at some point.
So buckle up and get your playlists ready. From indie darlings like Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, and Mitski to OPM staples like IV Of Spades, Megumi Acorda, and SOS, Billboard Philippines rounds up 13 artists and bands to help you stand out from the crowd and prove you’re not like everyone else.
Clairo
This one needs no introduction. Clairo is one of the artists most often name-dropped by performative males, with her rise anchored in a distinct indie sound, tender and charming songwriting, and her role as a leading figure in the “bedroom pop” generation. Over the years, she has grown far beyond her humble pretty girl beginnings, evolving both sonically and thematically in ways that resonate deeply with her female listeners. If you’re “not like other men,” Clairo often serves as the ultimate entry point.
Beabadoobee
After Clairo, Beabadoobee may be the second card a performative male plays. The Filipino-British artist has evolved from her indie pop beginnings to embrace Y2K-inspired alternative rock sounds. While the “performative” aspect isn’t far behind, her music has genuinely resonated across various demographics. You can proudly showcase your adoration by saying you’ve been following her since her “Coffee” days, showing that you were a true fan and support “women in indie,” long before her recent viral hits like “Glue Song,” “Beaches,” and “Apple Cider.”
Megumi Acorda
On the OPM side of things, nothing screams performative more than a gatekept band like Megumi Acorda that warrants your attention, but shouldn’t blow up, wink, wink. This five-piece leads the dream pop and shoegaze movement in the current OPM landscape. To capture that shoegaze vibe and imagine yourself as a character in a Gregg Araki film, cue their reverb-heavy guitars and hazy vocals. Don’t forget to always profess your deep appreciation for their Unexpectedly EP.
Laufey
Do you like jazz? Laufey has carved out a niche in the modern jazz-pop scene, blending her delicate vocals with string arrangements that heavily sound like ’50s and ’60s jazz. If you’ve ever felt like you were born in the wrong music generation, which, of course, you have, her music is perfect. It’s the kind that transports you to a café or a record store, flipping through records. While you’re at it, tell people you’ve been enchanted by her Everything I Know About Love debut album or how you’ve followed her evolution with her recent A Matter of Time.
Mitski
Mitski’s fanbase leans heavily toward women, particularly queer and Asian-American listeners. So if you think you’re the only man who feels a profound and relatable connection to her music, congratulations. Telling people that you connect not just with her sound but with her deeply introspective songwriting shows that you’re aware of and in touch with her art on a deeper level. As a bonus, not having a single favorite Mitski album speaks volumes; it signals that there’s no one like her and that each record offers its own unique story.
IV Of Spades
IV Of Spades have just made their long-awaited comeback. Now’s the time to brag about seeing them live when Unique was still in the band circa 2018, dedicating “Mundo” to a past love, or obsessing over unreleased tracks like “Sentimental” and “Spin the Bottle.” But beyond performative flexes, they’ve earned their place as one of the acts shaping the OPM landscape, thanks to their instrumentation, lyricism, and aura. You can also mention that you’re always at Mow’s, catching their solo gigs, to show just how dedicated you are.
Phoebe Bridgers
This one is for the true modern indie kids. Phoebe Bridgers is the definition of being locked in with performative. As a male who claims to have impeccable indie taste, talking about how amazing her albums Punisher or Stranger in the Alps perfectly captures existential dread, while also mentioning how “Kyoto” and “Motion Sickness” haunt you in all the right ways. The “casuals” may have discovered her through viral TikTok tracks, but we aren’t about that. Say you quietly discovered her discography long before the hype, or that you’ve been following her since Paul Mescal starred in the “Savior Complex” music video. Bonus points if you mention being a fan of Normal People, both the book and the series.
Tame Impala
Tame Impala isn’t actually a band, as some might think, but a music project by Kevin Parker. Name-dropping 2015’s Currents or 2020’s The Slow Rush as albums that changed your perspective on modern psych-pop is a great conversation starter. Yes, no one will be weirded out if you act like you’re above everyone else and their “normie” music taste. As a bonus, brag about listening on wired earphones to really get lost in the layers of sound hindered by wireless connectivity.
Kitchie Nadal
Kitchie Nadal is the epitome of the “performative indie” aesthetic in OPM. Her 2004 self-titled debut album featured hits like “Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin” and “Same Ground,” which captured the Filipino youth landscape in the early 2000s. If you’re a bit younger, saying that you’re still nostalgic for that era instantly signals your deep appreciation for OPM. Don’t lose your indie cred, say you’ve got her songs in all of your playlists on streaming platforms, because no matter the vibe or mood, her music is timeless.
SOS
SOS are always in the conversation of being an indie sadboy’s favorite artist or band, but when it comes to favoritism, Roberto Seña and the gang are worth every stream, with “Magic” often hailed as one of the greatest songs of all time, on par with Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” Say you’re all about profound and impeccable songwriting, beyond just production, and that their music isn’t for those who only engage with songs on a surface level. Plus, their sophomore album, It Was A Moment, is an album years in the making, and you’ve been dying to hear it.
boygenius
The ultimate indie supergroup, comprising Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus, boygenius feels like an Avengers-level team-up of acclaimed voices in indie music. Being a “real one” since their self-titled 2018 EP to their full-length debut, aptly titled The Record, say you prefer to experience the female perspective and connect with their stories through music, showing an appreciation for the artistry that each member brings to the group.
Ourselves the Elves
Oh, you’re into folk music? Ourselves the Elves can take you on a fairy-like daydream, blending garage folk, indie rock, and alternative country to the core. Say you own their debut album, Self Is Universe, on CD because nothing beats physical media. As an indie kid, go full throttle by mentioning that you loved the Geography Lessons EP after watching Petersen Vargas’ short film of the same name, and note that they don’t make songs like “Baby, I Love You So” for the yearners anymore. An added bonus is saying their debut album shaped your college life and your journey into self-discovery, because that’s how music affects you and becomes part of your story.
Weyes Blood
For the performative male final boss, if you’ve made it this far, here’s the cherry on top: Weyes Blood. Before you forget, it’s pronounced “wise blood,” whose music transports you across stars and galaxies with her ethereal and “cinematic” tracks like “Andromeda,” “Movies,” and “Everyday.” Don’t forget to mention how an album like Titanic Rising is perfect for bus rides spent reading a self-help book, because you care deeply about emotional growth and aren’t afraid to sit with your feelings.