On May 16, 2026, Clark Global City became the epicenter of sound and celebration as JBL Philippines staged its Audio Playground, a free-admission music and lifestyle festival that drew thousands to the rising urban hub. The event transformed the venue into a massive entertainment destination, offering Kapampangans and visitors from Metro Manila a full day of activities capped by a powerhouse concert featuring Ben&Ben, HORI7ON, Dionela, Al James, and G22.
The free evening concert, which kicked off at 7:00 PM, brought together some of the biggest names in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and P-Pop on one stage. For fans who traveled from Metro Manila, JBL provided complimentary round-trip shuttle services, making the event accessible to a wider audience. The concert followed a jam-packed daytime schedule that included a 6:00 AM Fun Run, a Quantum gaming tournament, DJ and dance workshops, and a skate park show
Ben&Ben and Dionela Lead a Star-Studded OPM Lineup
The concert stage at Clark Global City brought together an impressive roster of Filipino artists spanning different genres. Folk-pop band Ben&Ben, known for hits like "Leaves" and "Kathang Isip," headlined the evening alongside the soulful R&B singer-songwriter Dionela, whose tracks "Marilag" and "Sining" have dominated streaming platforms. The 13-piece collective has been on a steady rise since their early days as The Benjamins, and their inclusion in the lineup signaled JBL's commitment to showcasing top-tier OPM talent.
Dionela, fresh off announcing his upcoming "The Promise Tour" across North America, Oceania, Europe, and Asia, used the Clark stage as a homecoming moment before his international run. His performance came just days after he teased the tour on social media, writing, "Is there anyone waiting for me overseas? I'm coming". For Pampanga audiences, catching him at Clark Global City for free was a rare treat before he takes his music to the world stage.
P-Pop Power with HORI7ON and Hip-Hop Flavor from Al James
Global pop group HORI7ON brought their high-energy choreography and recent singles "Lunod" and "Fly With It" to the JBL stage. The group has been making waves since their debut, and their participation in the Audio Playground came just weeks after they performed at the ASEAN-Korean Music Festival "Round 2026" at the Smart Araneta Coliseum alongside Ben&Ben and Korean acts 10cm and MeloMance. The Clark concert gave Kapampangan P-Pop fans a chance to see the group up close without ticket fees or arena crowds.
Rapper Al James and all-female group G22 rounded out the five-act bill, adding hip-hop and girl-group energy to the evening. Al James, known for his laid-back flow and street-smart lyricism, has become a festival favorite, while G22 brought vocal power and precision dance moves that matched the high-energy atmosphere. The combination of folk, R&B, P-Pop, hip-hop, and dance pop made the JBL Audio Playground a showcase of the diversity within contemporary Filipino music.
A Full-Day Festival Beyond the Evening Concert
Before the lights dimmed for the main concert, attendees enjoyed a full day of interactive experiences that started as early as 6:00 AM. The JBL Fun Run got the morning moving, while the Quantum Tournament at 11:00 AM catered to competitive gamers testing their skills on JBL's gaming audio gear. Afternoon workshops gave aspiring DJs and dancers hands-on learning sessions, with world champion dance group UPeepz leading the dance workshop.
The Skate Park Show at 4:30 PM brought adrenaline-fueled action before the Live DJ Set at 3:30 PM gradually built anticipation for the evening's main event. Throughout the day, attendees browsed the JBL Booth, where flash sales ran from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and again from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The festival operated on a first-come, first-served basis for up to 5,000 attendees, making early arrival essential for those wanting to secure a spot.
