Set against the backdrop of an increasingly modern commercial district, Cubao Expo may look a bit out of sorts. Its vintage mom n’ pop feel is a stark contrast to the sleek malls and condominiums rising around it. But while Cubao Expo may look like a throwback to a simpler time, the performances and shows held there are unquestionably bleeding edge.

Over the past few years, the former shoe emporium has evolved into a central hub for all things indie in Metro Manila. Some observers have called it the local Greenwich village—a little U-shaped strip of pavement lined wall-to-wall with galleries, vegetarian cafés, funky furniture shops, a toy and comic book store, independent clothing boutiques, bars, music stores, and various little establishments dealing in wonderful odds and ends. The owners and operators of all of them are deeply involved in visual arts, fashion, filmmaking, photography, music or some other creative endeavor.

As new forward-looking tenants began setting up shop, the old Marikina Shoe Expo was rebranded as Cubao Expo, and the community inhabiting the space was given a name: “Cubao X.”

During the day, Cubao Expo is pretty quiet, with many stores not opening until later in the day. But at night the sound systems are set up, the kids converge, and the place comes alive. On any given night of the week (Friday and Saturday nights are the best bets), chances are there will be something interesting going on at Cubao X. Festival-style rock concerts, backpacker hip-hop shows, dubstep and ragga street parties, twee pop and Northern Soul listening sessions, and post-rock/experimental music nights are more than enough to suit any and all tastes.

Meiday!

Ang Bandang Shirley get the crowd going.

Of the many music events at Cubao Expo, arguably the most memorable, is the Meiday! Meiday! (Meiday for short) series of rock shows. Beginning as a small party for friends in a now-defunct rock club in Quezon City in early 2008, Meiday has since grown to become a huge draw for young rock fans from all over Metro Manila. The party, named after the party’s founder Mei Bastes, is like a Manila indie rock mini-festival— an all-night, one-stage Filipino showcase held outside on the drive snaking through Cubao X. And it’s all for free.

Gig lineups at Meiday are like a cross-section of new Filipino rock. One can expect to find some of the country’s most prominent rock bands slotted alongside the scuzziest bedroom punk explorers. Live band hip-hop flows into bluesy garage rock, ska and dancehall follows darkwave follows dancepunk.

The Discoball at Meiday

The list of bands that have played Meiday reads like a veritable who’s who of new Filipino indie: The Purplechickens, Ang Bandang Shirley, Ciudad, Techy Romantics, Halik ni Gringo, Outerhope, Gorgoro, Zach and the Action Pact, Giniling Festival, Top Junk, The Lowtechs, Periodiko, Duster, The Late Isabel, and Arigato Hato are just some of the bands who’ve been part of the Meiday lineup. There are no favored genres here—goth and hardcore punk is equally welcome as twee rock or synth pop.

Some of the best and most popular major label bands in the country regularly take the stage at Meiday as well, including Pedicab, Taken by Cars, Sandwich, the Itchyworms, and Moonstar 88—all familiar names for anyone who’s tuned in to Filipino rock radio in the past few years. Big bands they may be but there is no separation between the big and the small in Meiday, all bands play the same intimate stage with a minimum of space between performer and audience, making for a totally compelling gig experience.

It’s a completely eclectic mix, and while it may seem a bit strange on paper, the party is all the more fun for it.

Watch out for the next Meiday! Meiday! in Cubao X this coming February, when the party celebrates its second birthday.

Another party at Cubao X