AXEAN Festival 2025 unveils full lineup and partners

BALI, Indonesia — The AXEAN Festival has announced the full artist lineup for its 2025 edition, spotlighting a bold cross-section of independent music acts across Asia and unveiling key partnerships with TuneCore and The Orchard to boost regional talent.

Set for Sept. 13–14 at Jimbaran Hub in Bali, Indonesia, this year’s festival will feature 45 music acts performing across three stages, making it Southeast Asia’s first intra-regional showcase festival of its kind.

The final batch of performers adds nine acts to the roster, including Indonesia’s AVHATH, Banda Neira, Gozal, Grizzly Cluive, Morbid Monke, Sandstorm of Youth, sourmilk, Xandega, and a collaborative set by Dongker and Jason Ranti.

They join a diverse slate of regional artists, including Malaysian R&B mainstay Alextbh, Laos’ BIGPOM, Thai rockers Cvptain Morgans and LEMONY, Japan’s Kiwako Ashimine and Mettya Bizin (めっちゃ美人), Vietnamese acts Milkiwav and Nghịch, and Filipino genre-fluid band Weejah.

The 2025 lineup now includes artists from across Asia such as Blindfold, Feel Koplo x Toxicdev!, Johnny Mafia, One Click Straight, Shye, Shanghai Quitian, Su San, Valentina Ploy, and many more.

In a major boost for regional indie artists, TuneCore took a central role in curating the final lineup for AXEAN 2025.

Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia, said the company launched a rigorous four-month selection process across five countries, designed to surface authentic and genre-diverse voices.

“It began with open biweekly submissions, attracting over 600 entries,” said Chen. “Selected artists progressed to monthly live showcases at local venues, with each monthly winner advancing to country finals. Out of the 27 finalists, our local panels chose the six artists performing at AXEAN.”

Chen noted the depth of emerging Southeast Asian talent, particularly among artists who had yet to release any music officially. “What was particularly striking was how many of these artists hadn’t formally released music yet,” he said.

For TuneCore, authenticity and local identity were key. “Beyond raw talent, we prioritized artists whose music authentically integrates local flair and cultural influences,” said Chen, adding that showcasing genre range was equally important.

More than just a selection partner, TuneCore aims to empower its chosen acts with sustained career opportunities. “We go beyond distribution to open doors for market access and career growth that are often out of reach for independent artists,” Chen said.

The Orchard, a major global distribution company with a presence in 49 cities, has also joined the 2025 edition as a partner and sponsor.

Prahlad Prabhas, The Orchard’s Senior Director for Southeast Asia, said the partnership aligns with their mission to help artists thrive internationally.

“This [collaboration] aligns perfectly with The Orchard’s philosophy of helping artists grow outside their home markets,” said Prabhas. “We’re thrilled to be part of that journey this year by sponsoring a stage. For us, it’s more than just about the music—it’s about celebrating the creativity and energy of this region and sharing it with the world.”

Festival tickets are available online via region-specific links, with options for Indonesian, international, and Chinese attendees.

• Indonesia:https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Indo
• International:https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Inter
• China:https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025China

Since its 2020 inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, AXEAN Festival has evolved into a premier music export platform for Southeast Asia.

The festival has hosted over 200 artists from 20 countries and reached 46,000 virtual viewers and nearly 15,000 in-person attendees over five editions.

In recent years, it has expanded beyond its Singaporean roots to hold editions in Bali and other Southeast Asian hubs. AXEAN combines live music with industry panels and conferences, fostering cross-border collaboration and visibility for independent musicians in the region.

Both TuneCore and The Orchard represent a growing ecosystem of digital services that empower self-releasing artists in Asia. TuneCore artists retain 100% of their rights and revenue for a low annual fee, while The Orchard offers full-service marketing, sync licensing, and global distribution support.

AXEAN’s growing partnerships and genre-defying lineup continue to elevate the platform’s reputation as a vital launchpad for the region’s next wave of international music talent.