AXEAN Festival has unveiled its second wave of performers for this year’s edition, securing its reputation as one of the leading platforms for showcasing Southeast Asia’s finest and most exciting acts.
Continuing its mission to champion both emerging and established artists from across the region and beyond, the prominent showcase festival promises a diverse and compelling lineup that invites global audiences to experience Southeast Asia’s creative energy firsthand.
New Additions to the lineup
Joining the previously announced batch of performers are some of Indonesia’s most celebrated acts, including Fanny Soegi, a rising singer-songwriter known for her introspective pop style, and a special collaboration between Feel Koplo and Toxic Dev!, aimed at reintroducing dangdut, a grassroots dance music genre from Indonesia.
Other headline-worthy acts from Southeast Asia that are set to drive the conversation forward are Thai-Italian singer-songwriter Valentina Ploy, Filipino electronic producer Lustbass, Singapore-based newcomer ALICIA DC, Malaysian indie rock/pop outfit Terrer, Cambodian collective La Cima Cartel, and Malaysian six-piece rock band Capt’n Trips and the Kid.
AXEAN Festival 2025 also maintains a very strong international lineup, including Mongolian art-rock experimentalists Blindfold, South Korean indie quartet Confined White, Chinese math-rock band Shanghai Quitian, South Korean five-piece act SIMILE LAND, French noise rock outfit Johnny Mafia, Japanese soul-funk adventurists Billyrrom.
With 43 artists representing over a dozen countries and territories, AXEAN Festival 2025 offers a wide spectrum of styles and sounds: from indie rock to hip-hop, folk to experimental, and more.
As AXEAN Festival co-founder and team leader Piyapong Muenprasertdee puts it, one of the most exciting shifts in the global music landscape—especially among younger audiences—is the breaking down of traditional genre boundaries and language barriers. “Music today is more fluid and borderless than ever, and this creates incredible opportunities for artists from all corners of the world to connect with new listeners. At AXEAN Festival, we aim to be a platform that champions this spirit of discovery and cross-cultural understanding. We’re especially excited to debut a new segment focused on electronic artists who incorporate their local cultural influences—creating genre-defying, globally relevant music that still feels deeply rooted.”
Beyond music, AXEAN Festival 2025 takes pride in celebrating Bali’s rich cultural identity with curated experiences through a more beefed-up local market featuring Balinese food, crafts, and products. These elements allow attendees to connect more deeply with the island’s creative community, making the festival a multidimensional cultural encounter.
Deepening French cultural partnerships
AXEAN Festival remains firm in strengthening its longstanding collaboration with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, along with the French Institute, which have played a pivotal role in supporting the festival’s creative, professional, and financial growth.
Over the years, the partnership has enabled knowledge exchange through delegations and panel discussions, supported the participation of French music professionals in songwriting camps, and facilitated artistic collaborations with Southeast Asian talents. Piyapong explains, “Their involvement this year is a continuation of this strong partnership and a shared commitment to fostering deeper cultural and professional ties between France and Southeast Asia.”
Strategic collaborations with Pentaport Rookie and MUSE ON
AXEAN Festival also aims to maintain its ties with South Korea’s Pentaport Rookie and MUSE ON, two initiatives committed to advancing the country’s burgeoning independent music scene. While K-pop has undeniably shaped the global music landscape, these collaborations aim to highlight the equally vibrant K-indie movement and bridge it with Southeast Asia’s creative communities.
Through these partnerships, Korean indie artists gain opportunities to perform for new audiences in Southeast Asia, while SEA acts are offered a pathway to showcase their work at prestigious platforms such as Pentaport Rock Festival in Korea. This is a mutually enriching cultural exchange that promotes artist mobility, transnational collaboration, and broader visibility for both scenes.
“Ultimately, it’s a strategic partnership that fosters mutual growth and amplifies the global visibility of both K-indie and Southeast Asian talents,” shares Piyapong.
Tickets are now available via:
Indonesia: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Indo
International: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Inter
China: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025China
The full lineup and conference details will be announced soon. AXEAN Festival 2025 is supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the French Institute as part of the strategy for the export of cultural creative industries.
