AXEAN Festival releases full lineup for its 2025 edition

AXEAN Festival 2025 has officially announced its final lineup for this year’s edition.

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

This year, TuneCore plays a pivotal role in shaping the final lineup, expanding its position as one of AXEAN Festival’s most important partners. Through a four-month, multi-stage submission and rigid selection process spanning five countries in Southeast Asia, TuneCore helped discover and elevate standout independent voices that have made a mark in their niche markets.

Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia, recalls the selection process that they went through before picking the finest acts that show global potential. “It began with open biweekly submissions, attracting over 600 entries,” Cyrus explains. “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.”

When asked about the criteria in picking the artists who made it to TuneCore’s AXEAN stage, Cyrus emphasized the importance of authenticity and range, and how beyond raw talent, there’s a need to prioritize artists whose music authentically integrates local flair and cultural influences. “Showcasing a diverse spectrum of genres was also essential,” he adds.

For their part, the top global distribution and label services company, along with AXEAN Festival, promises to use their platform to foster real-world opportunities, apart from empowering artists digitally. “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.”

The Orchard-AXEAN Festival partnership

The Orchard, a prominent music distribution company operating in over 49 cities worldwide, has expressed its support for AXEAN Festival through a strategic partnership. Both music entities share a vision of empowering artists to broaden their horizons and access new music markets beyond their turfs. Together, both AXEAN and The Orchard are keen on dismantling barriers and enabling Southeast Asian creative communities to showcase their music on a global stage.

As Prahlad Prabhas, The Orchard’s Senior Director, Southeast Asia, explains it, “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.”