AXEAN Festival 2025 drops full and final lineup!

“It began with open biweekly submissions, attracting over 600 entries. 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. The biggest surprise was probably the incredible depth of undiscovered talent. We found remarkable hidden gems across diverse and often genre-blending styles. What was particularly striking was how many of these artists hadn't formally released music yet. Showcasing a diverse spectrum of genres was also essential. We actively nurture talent by providing platforms for exposure, facilitating live performance experience at scale (from local venues to major festivals), educational opportunities (workshops and masterclasses to upskill artists), and connecting artists directly with new audiences and industry stakeholders across borders. We go beyond distribution to open doors for market access and career growth that are often out of reach for independent artists.” ~Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia

The stage is set for the first intra-regional showcase festival in Asia, as it welcomes 43 music acts across three stages at Jimbaran Hub in Bali, Indonesia, from September 13 to 14, 2025.

Completing the final round of performers are some of the most prominent and emerging names in the Indonesian music scene, including metal/hardcore quintet AVHATH, beloved folk duo Banda Neira, rising indie act Gozal, alternative rock outfit Grizzly Cluive, genre-bending band Morbid Monke, indie rock powerhouse Sandstorm of Youth, melancholic indie group sourmilk, multi-talented musician Xandega, and a special collaboration set between Bandung-based punk rock band Dongker and acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Ranti.

 

The announcement also brings an exciting mix of Asian talents, such as trailblazing Malaysian R&B artist Alextbh, Laotian musician BIGPOM, Thai indie rock act LEMONY, Thai rock band Cvptain Morgans, Japanese singer-songwriter Kiwako Ashimine, J-indie artist Mettya Bizin (めっちゃ美人), Vietnamese indie/dream pop project Milkiwav, Vietnamese indie act Nghịch, and Filipino genre-fluid band Weejah. 

These artists join an already diverse roster that includes Billyrrom., Blindfold, Capt’n Trips and the Kid, Confined White, DJ Love, DOOR PLANT, Fauxe, Feel Koplo x Toxicdev!, Jangar, Johnny Mafia, Kelompok Penerbang Roket, La Cima Cartel, L’Alphalpha, Lustbass, MANJA, Ministry Of, One Click Straight, Shanghai Quitian, Shye, SIMILE LAND, S.O.L.E., Su San, Terrer, Valentina Ploy, and XANDEGA.

TuneCore’s key role in curating the final batch of lineup

TuneCore will play a major role in developing the final roster this year, cementing its status as one of the AXEAN Festival's most important partners.  TuneCore assisted in discovering and elevating notable independent voices that have built a name for themselves in their specific industries through a four-month, multi-stage submission and rigorous selection process encompassing five Southeast Asian countries.

Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia, recalls the vetting process they went through before choosing the best bands with worldwide potential.

When asked about the methodology used to select the musicians that performed on TuneCore's AXEAN stage, Cyrus underlined the necessity of authenticity and range, as well as the need to prioritize artists whose music authentically incorporates local flair and cultural influences. 

For their part, the leading worldwide distribution and label services company, in collaboration with AXEAN Festival, promises to leverage their platform to develop real-world chances in addition to digital empowerment for artists.

The Orchard-AXEAN Festival partnership

“This [collaboration] aligns perfectly with The Orchard's philosophy of helping artists grow outside their home markets. 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.” ~Prahlad Prabhas, The Orchard’s Senior Director, Southeast Asia

The Orchard, a well-known music distribution company with operations in over 49 cities globally, has pledged its support for the AXEAN Festival through a strategic relationship.  Both music organizations share a vision of empowering artists to widen their horizons and enter new music markets outside their own.  AXEAN and The Orchard are committed to breaking down boundaries and allowing Southeast Asian creative communities to exhibit their music on a global scale.

Tickets are now available via:

Indonesia: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Indo

International: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Inter

China: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025China