The AXEAN Festival wrapped up its latest edition at the Jimbaran Hub in Bali. Cementing its reputation as Southeast Asia’s premier intra-regional music showcase and conference.
Spanning three days of showcase performances, industry panels, and private networking events, the gathering drew over 4,000 attendees. Nearly double the previous year’s turnout.
A Crossroads of Genre and Culture
The crowd’s enthusiastic response highlighted the event’s broad regional and international appeal. For Piyapong “Py” Muenprasertdee, co-founder and co-team leader of the festival, the event’s true triumph lies in how naturally the audience embraced diverse sounds.
I love seeing people enjoy music regardless of genre, style, or language,” Muenprasertdee said.
At AXEAN, someone might be moshing in a pit one minute and joining a dangdut ring dance the next, which is exactly what happened this year.”
Holding the festival in Bali for a third consecutive year proved essential to shaping its identity. A stronger lineup of Indonesian artists helped draw a larger local crowd. While deeper ties with regional creative hubs enriched the pre-event programming. Partnering with venues like Craft Hotel in Ubud and Amplitude Skate Park in Seminyak, organizers hosted panel discussions and live sets featuring local Balinese talent.
The spirit of regional unity peaked during a headline performance by Indonesian act Ndarboy Genk. His mix of dangdut, koplo, and Javanese pop sparked a massive communal dance among the crowd.
That is what we built AXEAN for,” Muenprasertdee noted.
Bridging Industry Divide
Beyond live performances, AXEAN’s conference programming created vital avenues for international music export. Speed-meeting sessions, pitching opportunities, and panel discussions brought together global delegates who rarely share the same stage.
Key industry partners organized dedicated events, including networking brunches hosted by Sounds Australia. Programming from Korea Spotlight (via KOCCA), and showcases backed by France’s Centre national de la musique.
Casual networking spaces were equally important. A VIP lounge hosted by The Orchard and a late-night after-party allowed artists and executives to build relationships outside formal business meetings.
Global Amplification via KEXP
A major milestone for this year’s edition was a historic partnership with the Seattle-based radio station KEXP. Marking the platform’s first official project in Asia. As part of its Live at KEXP series, crew members filmed and recorded twelve Southeast Asian acts across two coastal Bali venues: Locca Sea House and Puri Bhagawan.
Both sit on the Jimbaran cliffs above the sea, and both are run by Jimbaran Hijau, who also runs Jimbaran Hub—the grounds where the festival and conference are held,” Muenprasertdee explained.
KEXP reaches an international audience that Southeast Asian artists rarely get in front of. This time, twelve of them are now in it.”
A Sustainable Future for Regional Talent
Festival organizers also refined the ground experience for attendees. The site featured a Southeast Asian street food hawker center, an arts and crafts space for families, and a streamlined three-stage setup supported by TuneCore and Empire.
Looking ahead, AXEAN aims to strengthen its place on the global circuit by coordinating with complementary events across Asia. Including a post-festival songwriting camp.
Our long-term vision is to raise the Southeast Asian music ecosystem and strengthen its place within the wider Asian one,” Muenprasertdee said.
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