Fresh from the release of his debut album, the Japanese singer-songwriter makes his Philippine debut on October 31 at TriNoma Mall, marking a new milestone in his growing connection with Southeast Asian audiences.
For Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert, turning 20 has brought more than a new perspective on life. It has also given him a collection of songs that capture the emotions, experiences, and values that have shaped him so far. Now, with his debut full-length album meet me in my head, he is bringing that personal body of work beyond Japan and, for the first time, to Filipino audiences.
Rol3ert arrives in Manila this October 30 for a series of promotional activities ahead of his first-ever Philippine performance on Saturday, October 31, at the After Dark Halloween Party at the fourth-floor Garden of TriNoma Mall in Quezon City. Set to begin at 7:00 PM, the show is free and open to the public, giving local fans an opportunity to experience the rising Japanese artist live for the first time.
Adding a distinctly Filipino touch to the occasion, attendees are encouraged to embrace the Halloween spirit by coming dressed as their favourite creatures from Filipino folklore. The setting offers an unconventional introduction to Rol3ert’s music, bringing his first Philippine appearance into a celebration that draws from the country’s own cultural imagination.
The Manila stop follows his first-ever performance in Indonesia on October 28, extending a Southeast Asian visit that marks an important step in his growing international presence. While his music has already found listeners across the region, these appearances bring that audience response into a more immediate, personal setting.
At the centre of this new chapter is meet me in my head, released on October 21. The 14-track album is an intimate introduction to the artist’s musical identity, moving between Japanese and English lyrics while exploring the thoughts and feelings he has carried into adulthood. Rather than presenting a single defining sound, the record brings together different emotional textures, from introspective songwriting to more expansive pop arrangements.
The album gathers previously released tracks and fan favourites, including “meaning,” “savior,” “Boy,” “Kodoku,” and “HOPE,” alongside new material led by the focus track “i won’t see you anymore.” It also features “With you,” a collaboration with Malaysian singer-songwriter and producer Johnson that marks Rol3ert’s first recorded collaboration with an artist from Southeast Asia.
Written during SONG BRIDGE 2025, a songwriting camp held in Kyoto under the MUSIC WAY PROJECT, “With you” represents a creative exchange that extends beyond geographical boundaries. The track’s accompanying music video, filmed in Singapore in May 2026 with a local production team, further reflects the cross-cultural direction of Rol3ert’s recent work.
The album’s production brings together an eclectic roster of collaborators, including Taka Perry, MONJOE, ESME MORI, Michael Kaneko, Yuto Uchino of The fin., and JUNE. Mastered by Mike Bozzi of Bernie Grundman Mastering, whose credits include Childish Gambino’s “This Is America,” the record also marks Rol3ert’s first physical CD release alongside its digital formats.
For an artist whose musical identity has been shaped by different cultural influences, the album feels like a defining introduction. Born in the United States in 2005 and raised in Japan, Rol3ert began his solo career in January 2025, developing a sound that brings together English-language lyricism and melodies informed by J-pop. His songwriting and understated approach have since helped him establish a growing audience beyond his home market.
That momentum has been reflected in a series of milestones throughout 2026. He was selected for Spotify Japan’s RADAR: Early Noise 2026, named among Japan’s 25 representatives in Rolling Stone’s global “Future of Music” project, and included in SPACE SHOWER’s NEW FORCE selection. In June, he received the Radio Rising Artist of the Year award at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026. He has also appeared at major music festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’25 and SUMMER SONIC 2026, while expanding his overseas performance experience across South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
His growing international listenership offers another indication of the reach of his music. Taipei has overtaken Tokyo as his top city by Spotify listeners, while Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore have emerged as key markets in Southeast Asia.
Following his Manila appearance, Rol3ert will return to Japan for two headline performances under his Live Tour 2026 “meet me in my head”, with shows scheduled at BIGCAT in Osaka on November 6 and Spotify O-EAST in Tokyo on November 12. Both concerts will feature a full band arrangement, promising a different live interpretation of the songs that have introduced him to audiences over the past year.
For Filipino listeners discovering Rol3ert through meet me in my head, his Manila debut presents an opportunity to experience the artist at a particularly significant point in his career: just as his first full-length record takes shape and his ambitions begin reaching further beyond Japan.
On October 31, that next chapter finds its way to Manila.
Rol3ert’s first-ever Philippine performance takes place on October 31, 7:00 PM, at the fourth-floor Garden of TriNoma Mall, Quezon City, as part of the After Dark Halloween Party. Admission is free.
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