After more than a decade away from the UAE concert circuit, The Itchyworms are preparing to reconnect with Filipino audiences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi through a two-night Middle East run scheduled for January 2026. The shows mark the band’s return to a region that played a formative role in their early international journey and continues to hold deep meaning for their overseas listeners.
Frontman Jugs Jugueta, who handles vocals and guitars, described the upcoming performances as both a long-awaited reunion and a personal milestone in an exclusive interview with TGFM. “The food! It’s been 11 years since we last performed in Dubai. Although we passed through Dubai airport last June 2025 on our way to the Manchester (for our UK Tour). We got to taste our favourite Hummus from the UAE! Plus of course, the Dates, and the famous Dubai Chocolate. 😋 Of course, we are also super excited to see our Kababayans there in the Middle East!”
The band’s absence from the UAE has not diminished the connection between their music and Filipino fans based in the region. Many grew up listening to songs that have since become fixtures in OPM playlists, from emotional anthems to crowd-singalong staples. For Jugueta, overseas shows carry a distinct emotional weight shaped by distance and longing. “It’s always fun to play in Dubai and Abu Dhabi because the Filipinos are always hungry for OPM there! Maybe it’s the distance and the difference in time zones. We hope to ‘bring them back to the Philippines’ even for just a few hours through our music. 🥹”
Performing outside the Philippines has consistently given The Itchyworms a front-row view of how Filipino communities abroad come together through music. Jugueta said these gatherings often feel less like concerts and more like reunions. “It’s very special because we know that they’re all homesick. We love performing abroad because it is a great excuse for Filipinos in that country to come together and celebrate a Filipino happening for one night. It’s a great way to meet other Filipinos in the area as well.” Some moments from past tours have left a lasting impression on the band, including one unexpected highlight: “We had someone propose to his Filipina girlfriend during one of our international shows! 💙”
Drummer and vocalist Jazz Nicolas echoed the same excitement, keeping his focus firmly on the essentials that define the band’s relationship with its audience. Asked what he is most looking forward to upon returning to the UAE, Nicolas said plainly, “WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT THE FOOD IN DUBAI.” When it comes to the shows themselves, he emphasized familiarity and comfort as central themes. “WE WILL BE PLAYING A LOT OF OUR FAN’S FAVORITES. WE HOPE TO BRING THEM BACK TO WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE IN THE PHILIPPINES AGAIN.”
That sense of emotional transport has long been tied to The Itchyworms’ catalog, which continues to resonate across generations. Jugueta believes the staying power of their music lies in how deeply it has been woven into listeners’ personal histories. “I think whenever they hear our songs, they remember special moments in their lives: Their first crush, their first heartbreak, their biggest regrets, etc etc. We feel very special to be part of their lives in the most subtle way. 😍”
As the January dates draw closer, the band is keenly aware of how long UAE-based supporters have waited for this return. Jugueta addressed them directly with a message rooted in anticipation and gratitude: “Sa wakas, makakabalik na po kami sa Dubai at Abu Dhabi! Medyo matagal po kaming hindi nakapunta diyan, kaya’t sana po ay magkita-kita tayo sa Jan.17 sa Pakistan Auditorium sa Dubai, and sa Jan.18 sa New Bar Arkadia sa Abu Dhabi! Please bring your friends and family, it’ll be so much fun! 🥹❤️” Nicolas, meanwhile, summed up his message in simpler terms: “WE’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THEM OUR LOVE FOR MUSIC, ESPECIALLY OUR LOVE FOR FILIPINO MUSIC.”
Beyond the stage, the band is also looking forward to experiencing how much the UAE has changed since their last extended stay. One landmark, in particular, sits high on their list. “The Burj Khalifa wasn’t built yet the last time we were there, so we would love to visit that!” Jugueta said.
The Itchyworms will perform in Dubai on January 17, 2026, at the Pakistan Auditorium, followed by an Abu Dhabi show on January 18, 2026, at New Bar, Arkadia.
