AXEAN Festival 2025 wasn’t just another weekend of music—it was a full-blown creative takeover of Bali. From 18 to 20 October, Jimbaran Hub transformed into a buzzing playground for artists, dreamers, and innovators, proving that Southeast Asia’s music pulse is stronger than ever. Nearly 4,000 festival-goers packed the grounds, moving between three stages that hosted over 40 acts from across the region.
The Club SEA Showcase lit up the festival with some of the most electric performances of the weekend. Singapore’s Fauxe delivered glitchy grooves with flair, Thailand’s S.O.L.E. got bodies moving, the Philippines’ DJ Love taught the crowd some serious budots moves, and Indonesia’s Feel Koplo x Toxicdev! took things over the top with their riotous beats. It was an intricate blend of regional sounds, sun-soaked rhythms, and flair—colourful and utterly Southeast Asian — making it a defining moment in the region’s club culture.
But AXEAN isn’t all about the party—it’s about purpose. The festival doubled down on its mission to fuel collaboration and cross-border growth. Conference sessions tackled everything from long-term artist strategy to sustainability and cross-Pacific ties, bringing together professionals from all corners of the industry. “The response was overwhelmingly positive,” said Mahanugru Kinzana, Head of Business & Commercial at Jimbaran Hub. “AXEAN has become a rare space where serious industry conversations can happen within a creative, inspiring environment.”
True to its artist-first DNA, this year’s festival also hosted a songwriting camp that turned Bali into a lab for sonic innovation. Musicians from across Asia co-created, jammed, and by the third day, they crafted a collective track that captured the festival’s spirit. “More than writing songs, they built friendships and creative ecosystems,” shared AXEAN co-founder Piyapong Muenprasertdee.
Local talent shone just as bright. A Bali music competition uncovered two standouts—Morbid Monke and Gozal—whose performances wowed international delegates. “We only planned for one winner, but the artists were too good to ignore,” said Muenprasertdee. It was the kind of serendipitous discovery AXEAN thrives on.
Looking ahead, AXEAN’s got big dreams for Bali. The team plans to keep the island as its creative home while expanding across the region with satellite events and export pipelines for Southeast Asian artists. “Bali offers a perfect balance: an international destination that combines serious industry engagement with world-class hospitality,” said Kinzana.
Now six years in, AXEAN Festival has evolved into more than a music event—it’s a movement. A place where artists don’t just perform; they connect, collaborate, and create the future of Southeast Asian sound. And if this year’s edition is anything to go by, that future looks bold, bright, and beautifully loud.
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