A Year Later, BACKSHOTS Still Hits Different

WAIIAN celebrates the first anniversary of BACKSHOTS with a full live-band performance featuring collaborators and emerging artists.

Words Mian Centeno
Photos courtesy of Sony Music Philippines
May 18, 2026

As a way of amplifying the strong legacy of his album BACKSHOTS, artist WAIIAN presents BACKSHOW—the BACKSHOTS’ Late 1st Anniversary Show last May 15 at 123 Block. 

Co-presented by Sony Music Entertainment and Lighting In A Bottle Studios, the concert served as a full-circle celebration of his 2025 full-length album.

“This album is one of my proudest works, and it’s meant to be celebrated as a whole, especially since I personally enjoyed creating and listening to it,” WAIIAN shares.

Photo by @ienvy.crtv‍ ‍(IG)

BACKSHOW featured a full live-band performance of every track from the album, marking another milestone in the artist’s musical journey. For WAIIAN, the event stands as his most personal and fulfilling work to date. 

“It just felt right to do it now since our band has developed better synergy from playing together throughout the year.”

Several emerging artists and close collaborators are also joined him onstage, including Karmela Roxy, Bad Indie Eye, Nicole Anjela, SHNTI, Yorko, DJ MILKY, Kartell’em, DJ Bebi Keychain, Alisson Shore, and La Mave.

Photo by @ienvy.crtv‍ ‍(IG)

BACKSHOTS has accumulated more than 30 million streams on Spotify, cementing its place as one of the defining Filipino albums of its era and strengthening its impact on the local music industry. 

At its core, the album champions authenticity and power of believing in one’s craft amid societal pressures toward standardization. 

BACKSHOW also coincides with WAIIAN’s inclusion in Spotify’s RADAR 2026 program, serving as a lead-up to another major album release later this year.

The concert also ran exclusive eventmerchandise.