Known for their groovy synth-pop music, London-based band PREP is set to make Manila hotter in May, all thanks to Karpos Live. With the band’s much-awaited return nearing, we’ve come up with a list that will let you know them better:

PREP is a highly talented lot with impressive backgrounds

What will you get when you gather artists from diverse musical backgrounds? You are gifted with a band whose songs will easily fit every mood—whether going on a long drive, hanging out by the beach on a hot summer day, or simply needing tunes to keep you pumped while doing chores.

Going from top to bottom in the embedded IG post above: Dan Radclyffe is a producer; Guillaume Jambel is a house music producer; Tom Havelock is a vocalist and songwriter; and Llywelyn ap Myrddin is a classical music composer. 

Their guitarist is a Grammy-nominated producer

Speaking of members, their guitarist, Dan Radclyffe, is a Grammy-nominated producer. This recognition speaks volumes about the caliber of their work and the passion they bring to their records and collaborations. We can’t wait for them to receive a nomination as a band and appear on the prestigious award show!

The story behind the band name

Ever wondered why they’re called PREP? Is it an acronym for something? It’s much simpler than you think. In an interview with keyboard player Llywelyn ap Myrddin, Myrddin shared that their band name means “preparation.” “It’s something me and my friends used to say before a night out or a festival… ‘Have you done your prep yet?’ Meaning, are you ready?” 

It’s not their first time in Manila

PREP has a huge following in Asia, and they’re no strangers to touring around the region, especially Southeast Asia. They visited sunny Manila as early as two years after their debut—a show in 19 East in 2017, followed by another show in the same venue the next year. In 2019, they moved to a bigger space when they were included in the Wanderland Music Festival lineup. 

When it was safe to hold concerts again, the group returned to Manila and performed a sold-out show at Samsung Hall in SM Aura as part of their 2022 Asia tour. 

“The Philippines is my favorite to do concerts,” said Llywelyn ap Myrddin in an interview with Inquirer.net. 

They have dance-worthy collaborations with Asian artists

In 2018, they collaborated with South Korean R&B artist DEAN, who has an equally impressive discography and collaborations up on his sleeves. If you didn’t know, DEAN also writes and produces music for K-pop groups, and fellow artists highly praise him!

Earlier this year, they released a collaboration with Thai artist Phum Viphurit. We didn’t see this coming, but everyone’s as obsessed with us. As of writing, the song has over 600,000 streams on Spotify, and the title of the song is just apt for the mood it evokes. It’s the song you’ll listen to with a refreshing drink on hand while on an island getaway – while soothing a heartache. 

This collaboration with South Korean band ADOY isn’t a new song but a remix of Wonder, their biggest hit. While the original version is more upbeat, PREP’s remix is slower and dreamier – a track that will make you feel like you’re floating.

One of their greatest hits is a cover

Remember when everyone seemed to use Harry Styles’ “As It Was” as the background music for their Reels on Instagram? If they weren’t using the original song, it was probably PREP’s cover as the audio. The band’s groovy cover of the hit song has over 15 million views on YouTube and over 36 million streams on Spotify — as it should. It’s their most-streamed record on Spotify as of writing!

They recorded their debut album at home

The passion for making music continued even when the world had to be at full stop due to the pandemic. Like the rest of us, the band members tried to be as productive as ever, which resulted in the release of their 10-song self-titled album in October 2020. In an interview with the Grammys, drummer Guillaume Jambel shared a day in quarantine:  going on a 25-minute run in the morning, managing PREP’s official Instagram account, and recording music for their album. 

Sure, collaborating IRL does wonders and may be more productive, but you can do the same when you can’t physically be together.

They will get you singing again

Fifth time’s the charm? Don’t miss out on seeing PREP as they return to Manila this May 7th, Tuesday,  for a solo show at The Filinvest Tent in Alabang. Whether you’ve been there since their first Philippine show or randomly discovered them recently, they will get you singing again. Ready yourself to sing their songs line by line—a Filipino trait that foreign artists can’t get enough of.

Join the crowd and get your tickets at https://www.tickelo.com/prep.