On February 11, 2025, NIKI lit up the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila like it was her second home — and honestly, it is. As part of her Buzz World Tour, the Indonesian singer-songwriter came back to the Philippines, and the love in the air was impossible to miss. From the first note to the last goodbye, the night felt like one big emotional reunion.
Manila’s Been Waiting: Twenty Songs. Zero Skips
Fans had been counting down the days since the tour was announced, and Manila didn’t disappoint. Tickets flew in minutes, and the demand was so wild that a second night had to be added on February 12. It’s no secret NIKI has a soft spot for Manila, and judging by the sea of people lining up hours before doors opened (some singing, some crying, most doing both), the feeling is mutual. The energy was already sky-high before she even hit the stage.
She opened with “Buzz” — loud, confident, no holding back — and from that moment, it was clear we were in for something special. The setlist was packed with emotional punches and big sing-alongs. Acoustic moments gave everyone time to breathe (and tear up), while tracks like “lowkey” and “High School in Jakarta” brought the whole arena to its feet.
And then came “Linger.” Yes, that “Linger” — a Cranberries cover that somehow hit even harder in that room. People were holding their breath.
Full Setlist:
- Buzz
- Keeping Tabs
- Colossal Loss
- Focus
- urs
- lowkey
- Autumn
- Did You Like Her in the Morning? (Acoustic)
- Take Care (Acoustic)
- La La Lost You (Acoustic)
- Blue Moon
- Strong Girl
- Tsunami
- Oceans & Engines
- Linger (The Cranberries cover)
- The Apartment We Won’t Share / Paths (Medley)
- Magnets
- Heirloom Pain (snippet of “Before”)
- High School in Jakarta
- Backburner (snippet of “Take a Chance With Me”)
One moment that stuck with everyone was during “Blue Moon.” Right in the middle of the song, NIKI noticed a fan in trouble. She stopped singing immediately to make sure they got help. The whole arena went silent — and then broke into applause. It wasn’t just professional, it was real. She cared. You could feel it.
Like Catching Up With a Friend. Filipino Fans Are Just Built Different
What made the night even more special was how much time NIKI spent just talking to the crowd. No rehearsed speeches, just pure gratitude and stories from her journey. She joked, got emotional, and even talked about how Manila always gives her that “home away from home” feeling.
She opened up about her writing process, how some songs took years to make sense, and how much the support from Filipino fans has meant along the way. It was intimate in the best way — like being let into her world for a couple of hours.
There’s something about the way fans in Manila show up. From the first line of every song to the very end, people were singing their hearts out. Phone flashlights were swaying during the slow songs. Screams echoed every time NIKI walked to the edge of the stage. You could tell this wasn’t just another tour stop — this was personal.
After the show, social media exploded with photos, TikToks, and shaky concert videos that somehow made it all feel even more real. Hashtags like #NIKIManila2025 and #BuzzWorldTourPH trended within minutes.
After wrapping up the Manila shows, NIKI shared this on Instagram:
And honestly, that about sums it up. Manila will be ready the next time she comes around. That’s a promise.
Still riding the post-concert high? If you’re in the mood to keep the excitement going, check out Tongits — one of the standout games on GameZone, one of the Philippines’ top online gaming platforms. Perfect for unwinding after a night like NIKI’s show or challenging your friends in between playlists.
