Culture Wars' much-awaited return to Manila

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Alt-rock band Culture Wars returned to Manila in late January to open for Maroon 5 at the MOA Arena, bringing fresh arrangements for Filipino fans.

Last year, they performed a four-day stint in the country, opening for LANY. Members Alex Dugan, Caleb Contreras, David Grayson, Dillon Randolph, and Josh Stirm were eager to be back.

During their previous visit, Culture Wars teased their debut album by performing a pre-release single, "It Hurts," a nostalgic piece about the struggle of moving forward. The band initially thought the album was complete, but the song pushed them to keep creating.

Alt-rock band Culture Wars is comprised of David Grayson, Caleb Contreras, Josh Stirm, Dillon Randolph and Alex Dugan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/JUDE NG

They also explained that their approach to releasing music is to always put their best foot forward. With songs like Miley and It Hurts offering contrasting sounds, they aim to reach new audiences.

"We want to bring people into our world with each release, knowing they all fit in different places. That's the beauty of it."

They compared the production process to solving a puzzle, acknowledging the challenges at every stage. Pre-production is often the toughest, as early ideas don't always dictate the final outcome. The lead singer noted that they rarely have a definite sound in mind, preferring a blank mental state to let creativity take over.

Meanwhile, the artists stated that touring with LANY deepened their commitment to delivering top-tier performances. Playing in arenas helped them visualize their goals and fueled their drive. Asked which songs best introduce Culture Wars on a grand stage, they named It Hurts, Slowly, and their upcoming track Typical Ways. "It Hurts," "Slowly," and their upcoming song, "Typical Ways."

Opening for Maroon 5, they jokingly pondered the identity of "Jane" from the headliner's hit song. As for their own set, they promised — and delivered — a refined, elevated experience.

"Even if you saw us last time, it feels like a different show. We've perfected it."

More than anything, they were excited to return, raise the arena's energy, and leave a lasting impact.

With hopes of headlining their own Manila show, they urged Filipino fans to keep listening to their music and spreading the word to their friends.

Fans can anticipate fresh music from Culture Wars, recalling from the previous interview with Music Geek, "Every band's first album is their baby, and they say you have about 10 years to write your first album and six months to write your second."