AXEAN Festival is coming back to Bali this September, and if last year’s edition is anything to go by, Southeast Asia’s music export platform is one to watch. From September 13–14, 2025, Jimbaran Hub will be home to a two-day collision of beats and borderless connections—bringing together over 40 emerging and established acts from the region and beyond, such as Jangar, psychedelic rock trio Kelompok Penerbang Roket, rising producer and singer-songwriter XANDEGA from Indonesia, alongside budots pioneer DJ Love, rising dark pop artist Su San from Malaysia; indie pop/rock singer-songwriter Shye and prolific electronic musician and producer Fauxe from Singapore.
While legacy names draw headlines, the soul of AXEAN has always belonged to its emerging artists—those finding their voice in a chaotic industry, breaking genre moulds and carving out new sonic identities. This year, their platform gets even louder.
TuneCore returns to the festival as an official stage partner, spotlighting independent talent from across Southeast Asia and amplifying voices that rarely get regional, or international—exposure. Known for empowering indie musicians with the tools to distribute and own their music, TuneCore’s involvement underscores AXEAN’s deep commitment to the DIY spirit and to giving emerging artists the infrastructure to grow.
It’s that rare sweet spot where music meets industry in a more relaxed setting for networking. AXEAN isn’t just a showcase—it’s a sandbox for ideas. Beyond the stages, the festival runs a music conference with curated panels, business pitch sessions and speed meetings between artists and delegates.
There’s also the return of the songwriting camp, a cross-cultural, four-day creative lab where selected artists, producers, and songwriters co-create original music together. Think less label manoeuvring, more collaborative freedom, the kind of environment that lets magic actually happen.
This year, we’d like to introduce artists who blend local sounds and cultural textures with electronic forms, which is a genre that’s gaining serious traction internationally. We see this not just as a trend but as a powerful vehicle to showcase our regional identity in new and compelling ways, alongside the diverse spectrum of local music we continue to champion.
Piyapong Muenprasertdee, AXEAN Festival Co-Founder
In true AXEAN fashion, they’re once again stretching what a Southeast Asian festival can be. Enter: the SEA Club Showcase, a brand-new stage dedicated to regional underground electronic cultures—from Indonesian funkot and dangdut, to Filipino budots and Vietnamese vinahouse. It’s local, it’s loud and it’s long overdue.
With artists from over 15 countries expected to take the stage, including rising voices and returning favourites, AXEAN Festival 2025 is shaping up to be a celebration of where Southeast Asian music is going, not just where it’s been.
Stay updated and social with Popspoken: LinkedIn | Instagram
