The inaugural event expands its offering with a more comprehensive music showcase and conference programming, along with an enhanced songwriting camp
This year’s edition introduces AXEAN Festival’s very own SEA Club Showcase, honoring the grassroots electronic and dance music genres in Southeast Asia that are taking the world by storm
Link to the KVs and photos here
May 21, 2025 – Bali, Indonesia – AXEAN Festival proudly announces its return to Bali this year with an expanded vision and more comprehensive programming. Happening from September 13-14, 2025, at the Jimbaran Hub, Southeast Asia’s first intra-regional music showcase event is set to transform the island into a two-day convergence of sound, innovation, culture, and collaboration.
Positioned as a “celebration across borders,” AXEAN Festival will showcase over 40 emerging and established acts from Southeast Asia and beyond while exploring new educational and collaborative formats that strengthen the creative and business ecosystems across the region.
Building on last year’s acclaimed edition, this year’s event elevates its commitment to providing a holistic experience not only for the fans but also for the artists and industry stakeholders that make this celebration possible.
“AXEAN Festival has always been a labor of love for all of us co-founders—driven by passion, run pro bono, and built with bootstrapped resources,” shares AXEAN Festival co-founder and team leader Piyapong Muenprasertdee. “We've consistently pushed the limits of what’s possible with limited funding, and the positive impact we’ve made so far is a testament to that dedication.”
Piyapong adds, “We’ll keep doing what we do best: turning passion into purpose and creating meaningful opportunities for artists and industry alike—whether we’re working with a shoestring budget or something more.”
Among the festival’s hallmark offerings this year is its music conference segment, featuring curated panel discussions, business pitching sessions, and structured speed meetings between delegates and artists, which were designed to foster impactful conversations and long-term partnerships.
In addition, AXEAN Festival hones its artist-centered programming with the return of its songwriting camp—a four-day initiative inviting select showcasing artists, producers, and songwriters to co-create in an intimate, cross-cultural setting. The inaugural camp last year resulted in the creation of 20 original songs, exemplifying the creative possibilities the festival cultivates.
For the first time, AXEAN Festival also shines a spotlight on Southeast Asia’s burgeoning rave, dance, and electronic culture with the launch of its SEA Club Showcase—a live music platform dedicated to regional electronic subcultures such as Indonesian funkot or dangdut, Vietnamese vinahouse, Singaporean/Malaysian manyao, and Filipino budots. The newly minted stage honors the unique grassroots genres that are redefining the international club scene with distinctly local flair.
The Jansen at AXEAN Festival 2024 in Bali; photos by HenzyDavid
AXEAN Festival Co-founder and co-director David Siow emphasizes the importance of authenticity and intent in the festival’s DNA: “On the delegates' front, the intentions of the AXEAN team are clear—we really just want the artists to succeed, and we do all we can to make that happen. People do sense authenticity and intent, so having a unified goal and communicating that honestly allows for the music industry to trust us.”
David also pointed out how AXEAN Festival’s casual and welcoming nature contributed to its success and appeal. “The relaxed and jubilant atmosphere of the festival, conference, and songwriting camp, are direct reflection of the personalities in the AXEAN team. But don’t be fooled; some serious business and networking is happening for delegates and artists whilst the public enjoys the showcasing part.”
Piyapong agrees with David’s statements, noting that AXEAN Festival’s success lies in its people. “Over the years, I’ve made it a personal mission to invite people I’ve connected with—those who bring positive vibes and a collaborative spirit—to simply come as they are,” he shares. “This openness creates a welcoming atmosphere where even first-time attendees or those who come alone can feel at ease, enjoy the music and environment, and organically build meaningful connections. That positive energy is contagious—it helps break down barriers, encourages real conversations, and often leads to exciting new collaborations and business opportunities. In the end, it’s the community spirit and the human connection that make the festival truly special.”
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the team envisions expanding the festival’s reach through deeper strategic partnerships, enhanced sustainability measures, and ever more dynamic, inclusive programming.
“Whether you’re a delegate, an artist, or a music lover attending for the first time, we invite you to discover the joy of connection, creativity, and cultural celebration at AXEAN Festival 2025,” says Piyapong.
Jimbaran Hub partnership
This year’s edition of the AXEAN Festival is proudly co-presented by Jimbaran Hub, a leading cultural and lifestyle center in Bali known for fostering community connection and creative exchange. MahanugraKinzana, Head of Business & Commercial of Jimbaran Hijau—the parent organization of Jimbaran Hub—expressed enthusiasm about renewing their collaboration with the festival for this special initiative.
"Jimbaran Hub is more than just a venue or a space. It is a cultural hub and nexus where authentic tradition and contemporary adaptations thrive. We foster local talent, empower communities, and bridge Indonesia's vast heritage with the world. The AXEAN Festival 2025 embodies this very vision, uniting Southeast Asian creativity to highlight and showcase the region's cultural scene, transforming our hub into a vibrant and powerful stage for global artistic exchange."
Stay tuned for the official artist lineup and full programming schedule, to be announced in the coming weeks. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available via www.loket.com/o/axeanfestival.
About AXEAN Festival
The AXEAN Festival is a prominent Southeast Asian music export platform, combining a music conference and showcase festival.
Launched in 2020 during the pandemic by music professionals across Southeast Asia, AXEAN Festival has successfully hosted both virtual (2020-2021) and in-person (2022-2024) events. Over five editions, it has featured 200 artists from 20 countries, attracted 240 delegates from 32 countries, and reached over 46,000 virtual viewers, along with close to 15,000 live attendees.
With its growing international reputation, AXEAN has firmly established itself as Southeast Asia’s leading music export platform. Its first venture into a new market beyond its original home base in Singapore and Bali garnered widespread acclaim among attendees, music industry professionals, and participating artists.
More photos here
Source: Nyou