If you want to catch rock bands (metal, punk, hardcore, indie rock) performing live, be on the lookout for local productions who organize gigs and the venue are in and around the metro. Some of the venues I've attended these past 2 years include:
123 Block - they used to be near Pioneer in Mandaluyong but after the pandemic they relocated inside Mandala Park in the other side of Mandaluyong, along Shaw Blvd. The production that usually has gigs here is Counterflow and they usually have hardcore. indie rock and a few metal bands grace their lineups.
Mow's - this is the bar beneath Kowloon House in Matalino St, QC near QC circle. I've attended hardcore shows organized by Still Ill and Sleeping Boy Collective but this bar also hosts shows from other rock genres on other days f the week. They also hold stand up comedy from the likes of Red Ollero et al. A lot of diverese foreign acts have played here ranging from hardcore, punk, metal, emo and indie pop/
Paper Lantern - this one is in the same building as Kowloon House and Mow's but is upstairs. It's a bigger venue as per my sources and host bigger shows. Hardcore bands are usually featured here.
Matchbox Yard - This is all the way in Faaaarview. This is where Darkside Bar used to be situated until it moved out and Matchbox Yard became its own thing. There's a Korean BBQ restaurant and a car wash in the ground floor. Move to the 2nd floor where the bar is situated and where the bands perform. This the favorite venue for hardcore shows, punk shows, metal shows, slam/brutal death metal gigs. Foreign bands such as Eyehategod, Ecchymosis and Black Fire have played here.
Eastside Events Place - heading over to the east in Marikina is Eastside Events Place. This has been the venue of a lot of foreign hardcore, metal and grindcore bands' Manila leg of their Asian tours. This is a very big venue and very good venue for live music.
Milenya Bar - staying in Marikina, just a short walk from East Side is Milenya, This is a relatively new bar. I've only been at 2 shows here.
Ruins Bar - still in Marikina is this small bar beside an SM Hypermart. Metal bands are usually the ones who put up their shows here. There's a curfew at this bar and the live bands do a hard stop before midnight lest the neighbors complain about the noise.
Noise Pollution Studio - yet another venue in Marikina just a stone's throw away from Ruins. The ground floor is a print shop/computer shop, the second floor is a mini-resturant which serves beer and the 3rd floor is where the music happens. It's actually a rehearsal studio which occasionally become a small venue for live performances. I've seen hardcore, grindcore and gore grind bands perform here. Next show is on April 27.
Ingay Likha - I haven't been here. I've only seen posts from local bands I follow who have played here. This is all the way in Cavite. A lot of underground activity has been happening here with a lot of noise coming from punk, hardcore, metal and grind bands.
Luna Marie - I haven't been here but this is in Malate. My source tells me there's a 'typical beerhouse' vibe for this place. A lot of punk, hardcore and metal shows have been hosted here.
