Photographed by Natt Lim. Courtesy of 88 Rising
Photographed by Natt Lim. Courtesy of 88 Rising
In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, NIKI discusses her concert looks and the themes for the Manila leg of the Buzz World Tour in detail.
The air was electric. Out in the hallways, groups of concertgoers buzzed with anticipation, adjusting pearl-studded hair, smoothing out sheer skirts, and fixing each other’s makeup in front of bathroom mirrors. Inside, a sea of blue washed over the crowd: mesh fabrics, flowing silhouettes, iridescent eyeshadow catching the light, fully immersed in the night’s theme, “Going Under.” When NIKI finally steps onstage, draped in a cascading deep-blue skirt and a shimmering corset that mimicked the movement of ocean waves, the entire arena follows suit, swaying in unison.
It’s the first of three Manila nights on the Buzz World Tour, the second headlining tour by Indonesian singer-songwriter NIKI after the release of her third studio album, Buzz (2024). Spanning 42 shows in multiple cities across North America, Asia, Australia, and Europe, the LA-based artist has crafted a concert experience that brings to life what makes her music most beloved: raw, heartfelt relatability.
On stage, the 26-year-old reflects, “We all know about love and loss and joy and pain. And music makes us feel a little less alone in that.” In Manila, this sentiment takes on a tangible form in the communal atmosphere. The city was the only stop on The Buzz Tour to witness all three of its distinct concert themes: the ethereal siren of “Going Under,” the cyberpunk city girl of “A Mystic Force,” and the dreamy garden fairy of “Bumblebee on a Blossom.” With each set, fans arrived dressed accordingly, turning the arena into a living, breathing extension of the show itself.
“Manila will always have a special place in my heart.”
“Manila will always have a special place in my heart,” shares NIKI. “The shows here are electric and the energy is always at the top of every tour. It is clear they give 200% in everything they do, and they’re the most loving and supportive crowd I can ask for.”
Concert culture has long embraced fashion as a form of self-expression, but this new era (part theatrical, part communal) feels different. Perhaps it’s the post-pandemic hunger for connection or a newfound appreciation for shared rituals, but one thing is certain: NIKI’s The Buzz Tour was a testament to music’s ability to transform, transport, and bring people together. It was a shared experience, a moment of collective storytelling through sound, style, and the stage.
Here, Vogue Philippines sits with NIKI, alongside her longtime stylist Katie Qian, makeup artist Sinh Vo, and Filipino hair stylist Athena Alberto on crafting the tour experience and each night’s unique looks.
Vogue Philippines: The Buzz Tour is your second world tour. Can you tell us more about all the preparations that went into it? How does “Buzz NIKI” differ from your previous eras?
NIKI: Every era builds upon the past, and I am so proud of where Buzz is today. I’ve always said that Buzz is like Nicole’s wiser older sister. She is experienced, confident, and balanced. I really poured all of myself into this album and tour. Musically, I have the perfect band to bring my sound to life, and I have been intimately involved in everything from visuals to stage design, styling, and glam. It is very rewarding.
How did the idea of having concert themes come about? What was the rationale and the creative process behind deciding on each theme?
NIKI: I was inspired by the great Chappell Roan and her tour themes. Seeing my fans and I dress to the same theme together just feels like we are at the same big party, sharing our pain and celebrating our growth. Everything with the tour ties back to the album and is a callback to the songs. “Going Under” inspired by Tsunami’s flowing waves, “Mystic Force” by Magnets’ ebbing pulse, and “Bumblebee on a Blossom” by Buzz’s sunsoaked spring blooms. These are themes that inspire me too, and I wanted my fans to have fun with it.
As soon as I entered the grounds, I felt immediately immersed in such a communal atmosphere. As an artist, how does it feel to create such an experience?
NIKI: That sense of community and love is exactly what I want to cultivate. I definitely see the outfits and the posters from the stage, and it makes me so happy to see people resonate with the tour experience so wholeheartedly. Again, it’s like throwing a big party with all my best friends, and they all understood the theme so well and made it their own.
Walk us through the creative process behind your Manila looks. Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular?
NIKI: I worked very closely with my longtime stylist Katie Qian on each look. It really was set to the theme of the music, and also clothing that I actually want to wear. For me, the key is being comfortable while also feeling my best.
Katie Qian: NIKI loves to be hands-on in everything she does. She will come to me with her ideas and inspiration, like the dress code themes, and then I’ll work to translate that through her stage outfits and custom designs. It’s very collaborative.
NIKI had six looks for her shows in Manila. Can you tell us more about each one and any personal favorite details?
Katie: The “Bumblebee on a Blossom” looks were created by Kate Broadrick and Michelle Hebert. The red rose look is a beautiful, realistic, and rich interpretation of the nature-garden theme, and [it] feels floral without being too girly. The green look uses color and texture to evoke a grassy forest floor, and I love the playful silhouette of the long top and miniskirt.
The “Going Under” looks were created by Michelle Hebert, and Kim Shui and Zana Bayne. I had the most fun with this theme as I find the aquatic theme so beautiful and inspiring. NIKI and I both really adore the look we have playfully named the “shipwreck dress,” which is a distressed and torn gown made of mixed materials and embroidered with pearls and shells. The second look consists of a flowy “tentacle” Zana Bayne skirt and a brocade corset by Kim Shui with blue netting overlaid, which we felt was a great nod to Asian heritage while playing into our ocean theme.
The “Mystic Force” looks are created by Kate Broadrick and LVDF. Kate’s look consists of a black cutout bodysuit and sleeves, [a] distressed and layered miniskirt, and matching legwarmers. LVDF’s look is our Adidas reworked look, which we had a lot of fun with by cutting up Adidas products to upcycle them into NIKI’s ideal tour silhouette. My favorite part of these two looks is the innovative silhouettes that feel modest yet are still form-fitting, sporty, and sexy.
What would you say is the focal point of her three beauty looks?
Sinh Vo: Each stage look is very different from the next, so we try to tell the story with sleek and bold hair and makeup. Always with a modern twist. Her looks can be hard and soft all at once, which she pulls off with ease. We really want her to shine bright on that stage and show her audience what a “Strong Girl” she is.
Athena Alberto: Each look is unique in its own way and reflects the overall theme of each show. Some looks require a more soft approach, while [others] require fierceness and a more aggressive approach. Either way we decide to go as a team, NIKI always pulls off the look.
What keywords would you use to describe NIKI’s style? How is this reflected throughout her Buzz Tour pieces?
Katie: I would say NIKI’s style for this tour has been ’90s grunge-inspired, with lots of references to nature and ethereal elements! She loves an edgy look with neutral tones and a balance between masculine and feminine pieces. For instance, a flowy dress or long skirt is usually paired with “harder” pieces like moto boots.
Comfort and functionality is huge for her as well on tour. They need to be functional and practical as well as withstand hours of strenuous performing. Skirts need to be short enough so that NIKI doesn’t trip when running around or kneeling on the stage, but also long enough for coverage. Tops and dresses need to be supportive and secure so that NIKI can move freely without worry. After years of working together, NIKI and I have become familiar with the right types of silhouettes that are always comfortable for her to perform in.
Tell us about what it was like working with NIKI. How did you finalize each look?
Sinh: This is my third tour with NIKI, and each one has been an incredible adventure. On the Buzz tour, we really bring to life her new album with themed looks for each show. We are able to collaborate and get inspired together, letting things happen organically with each show’s glam. There’s a lot of trust we have in one another to create the best look possible.
Athena: Working with NIKI is like watching a little sister grow into a WOMAN. I first met NIKI over my kitchen counter before she was even 21. To see where she is now, on stage, performing her songs in front of arena-sized crowds all over the world, really puts into perspective our journeys not only together but individually as well. Finalizing her looks is definitely a collaborative process. The inspiration for her looks changes depending on the vision of the project she is presenting. However, we always make sure the looks feel like they are true to her.
Athena, as a Filipino hair stylist, what was it like for you to work on this project in your home country?
Athena: It was truly an honor to be back in my home country doing what I love, and it left me overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I have so much love and pride for my country, and being back home really inspired me to want to visit and work more in my motherland.
If someone wanted to recreate NIKI’s beauty looks, what key tip should they know?
Sinh: I really try to focus on her eye makeup being bold with lots of eyeliner and playful pops of bright color and metallics. Her skin is always natural and glowy with subtle pink and peach cheeks. We tend to bring the shades on her eyes to her cheeks to give a very blurred and filtered effect. Lips always in nude matte shades so her eyes really pop.
Athena: To create any of the looks, the main things to focus on are cleanliness, tension, and keeping everything snatched! Stage hair is in its own category when it comes to hairstyling. The hair needs to be in place, even if NIKI decides to do a backflip or stage dive. A hairstylist’s biggest fear is for the hair to come apart while the artist is on stage. My favorite products to use for stage-ready hair are Milbon’s Extra Strength hairspray and the TiGi wax stick!
Fashion and ‘unspoken’ dress codes have become such a big part of the concert culture and experience. As a stylist, why do you think that is?
Katie: People want to belong to something greater than themselves. It’s incredible to see people take the themes we developed and really run with them.
By BIANCA CUSTODIO. Photographs by Natt Lim, courtesy of 88 Rising. Artist: NIKI. Styling by Katie Qian. Hair by Athena Alberto. Makeup by Sinh Vo. Stylist’s assistant: Kiona Vickroy. Personal assistant: Zohra Shah.
