Quick Read
- F4 will tour as a trio featuring Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Vanness Wu, supported by Mayday’s Ashin.
- Ken Chu is excluded from the tour due to unresolved contractual disputes and lack of inclusion in reunion planning.
- The ‘F4EVER’ tour marks the group’s first major international circuit since their 2009 disbandment.
MANILA (Azat TV) – The iconic Mandopop group F4 has officially announced a Manila stop for its highly anticipated F4EVER world tour, confirming that Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Vanness Wu will perform as a trio. The announcement, made by B’in Music on April 6, 2026, marks the first time in over two decades that the group returns to the Philippines, though the absence of original member Ken Chu signals a major evolution in the group’s performance structure.
The Trio Format and the Role of Ashin
The decision to proceed without Chu follows his public statement in December 2025, where he disclosed that he was excluded from the reunion negotiations and did not receive a formal contract from the tour organizers. To fill the void left by his absence, the production has integrated Mayday vocalist Ashin into the tour lineup. This collaboration, which first gained traction following a guest performance at Mayday’s 25th-anniversary concert last year, serves as a bridge between the classic F4 sound and the modern concert experience.
Commercial Viability in the Nostalgia Economy
The F4EVER tour represents a significant test for the commercial endurance of early 2000s Asian pop culture icons. By expanding into cities including Chongqing, Jakarta, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, the organizers are betting on the enduring appeal of the Meteor Garden generation. The shift to a trio format with guest talent highlights how legacy acts are adapting to internal friction and changing industry demands to maintain relevance in a competitive global market.
Logistical Details and Future Prospects
While the Manila date, venue, and ticketing information remain forthcoming, the announcement has already generated significant interest across Southeast Asia. The tour serves as the first major international outing for the group since their official disbandment in 2009, excluding isolated reunion appearances. Fans are monitoring the tour closely to see how the revised lineup resonates with audiences who grew up with the quartet’s seminal hits.
The strategic inclusion of a high-profile collaborator like Ashin suggests that the production team is prioritizing musical modernization over strict historical adherence, a calculated move to ensure the group’s viability in a modern, high-production concert landscape where nostalgia alone may not sustain multi-city global tours.