Vic Vic Bautista

Featuring 45 acts across three stages, this year’s festival highlights collaboration with TuneCore and The Orchard in supporting Asian indie talents

The full roster for this year’s AXEAN Festival 2025 has been formally revealed.

On September 13 and 14, 2025, 43 musical acts will perform on three stages at Jimbaran Hub in Bali, Indonesia, marking the first intra-regional showcase festival in Asia.

Metal/hardcore quintet AVHATH, popular folk duo Banda Neira, rising indie act Gozal, alternative rock group 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 renowned singer-songwriter Jason Ranti round out the final round of performers.

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.”

Tickets are now available via:

Indonesia: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Indo

International: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025Inter

China: https://bit.ly/TicketAXEAN2025China

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.

About TuneCore

TuneCore is the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists to build audiences and careers – with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration, and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels, and managers get their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, YouTube Music, and more than 150 download and streaming stores and platforms worldwide, while retaining 100% of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by collecting royalties stemming from the use of their compositions – including mechanical royalties from download and streaming services, performance royalties from radio, TV and live performances, and synchronization royalties from film, TV and advertising – in over 200 countries globally. TuneCore is based in Brooklyn, NY, and is owned by Paris-based Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies.

About The Orchard

THE ORCHARD: DELIVERING INDEPENDENT MUSIC SINCE 1997

Through a strategic relationship, The Orchard, a well-known music distribution firm with operations in more than 49 cities globally, has shown its support for the AXEAN Festival. The goal of both music organizations is to enable musicians to expand their horizons and reach new music markets outside of their home regions. AXEAN and The Orchard have a common goal of breaking down boundaries and giving Southeast Asian creative groups the opportunity to perform their music internationally.

The music powerhouse doubles down on Southeast Asia and the PH with a new local team, technologically-driven services, and a commitment to empowering Filipino artists

From left to right: ONErpm Philippines team composed of Louie Tamon (Project Manager), Presh Ong (A&R Representative), Alyssa “Pebs” Pe Benito (Marketing Manager), and Clark Cunanan (Senior Business Development Manager)

The announcement of ONErpm’s entry into the Philippine market marks the company’s 15th anniversary as a major player in the world music scene. The accomplishment demonstrates the company’s dedication to innovation as it keeps providing artists with long-term possibilities to succeed in a music industry that is becoming more competitive and dynamic.

Utilizing state-of-the-art technology and a unique marketing strategy catered to the particular requirements of every artist and project, the music organization provides extensive services that go well beyond conventional distribution. It still offers creators of all sizes solutions today in the areas of collaborative ventures, distribution, full label services, and catalog arrangements.

“We have been able to scale sustainably by consistently innovating, putting in the work and creating healthy win-win scenarios and opportunities for our clients and partners,” said Isaac Miranda, ONErpm Associate Director for Asia. “Our strategy here is to meet artists where they are and build locally with global standards.”

ONErpm’s track record speaks for itself. Entirely self-funded and independent, it has become one of Youtube’s top 5 global music partners, amassing over 25 billion monthly views. With strong performance across Asia, Africa and other high-growth regions, ONErpm is doubling down on its investment in Southeast Asia, with Philippines as a strategic hub.

Strengthening local presence with a new team

As part of the expansion, ONErpm has announced its dedicated team in the Philippines, tasked with driving client development, business strategy, and A&R in the market. The appointment stays truthful to the company’s long-term commitment to nurturing local talent and building infrastructure that supports sustainable growth, all while maintaining an independent, creator-focused mindset.

• Clark Cunanan, Senior Business Development Manager

A seasoned professional with experience at The Orchard Philippines and Universal Music Group, Cunanan brings a strong background in artist marketing, music production, and distribution.

He previously served as the Senior Label and Marketing Manager at The Orchard Philippines, Sony Music’s distribution arm, where he worked with both major and emerging labels to grow their artists’ digital reach. A Music Business Management graduate, Clark began his career in A&R at Universal Music Group Philippines before becoming a touring and session musician, performing with Juan Karlos, dwta, syd hartha, and Benj Pangilinan. He also shares his expertise as a college instructor in music production at MINT College.

With a solid foundation in the industry and reputable experience, Clark continues to bridge creativity and strategy to help Filipino artists build their presence and connect with audiences worldwide under ONErpm.

• Alyssa “Pebs” Pe Benito, Marketing Manager

With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Pebs has led successful campaigns that delivered viral hits and charting records. She has built a dynamic career spanning marketing, live events, artist development & management, and new business ventures. Beginning in the indie scene, she launched passion projects and created initiatives that helped grow emerging talents and laid the foundation for her career. This grassroots journey led her to a major label, where she focused on artist marketing and strategy spearheading campaigns that translated into impactful artist growth.

Drawing from her background in marketing and advertising, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision, she continues to bridge artistry with innovation by developing campaigns that resonate with audiences, empower artists, and drive success in today’s ever-evolving music landscape.

• PreshOng, Business Development and A&R Representative

Widely recognized as “DJ Alice” from her decade-long tenure on Wish 107.5’s The Roadshow, Ong brings over 11 years of industry expertise in artist relations. This celebrated tenure as a broadcaster cultivated an extensive professional network, hands-on music industry knowledge, and deep industry credibility. This foundation propelled her to a leadership role at independent record label, Radical Music, where she was instrumental in driving two viral hits between October 2024 and May 2025.

Since joining ONErpm in June 2025 as a Business Development and A&R Representative, Presh has been passionately focused on discovering new talent and empowering artists. Her mission-driven approach to artist advocacy aims to foster a more supportive industry, directly aligning with ONErpm’s vision of becoming a “record label of the future.” Presh’s unique ability to blend her on-air charisma and strong relationships with artists with her strategic business acumen helps in significantly strengthening the company’s position in the Philippine music market.

• Louie Tamon, Project Manager

Prior to joining ONErpm, Louie gained industry experience at Wish 107.5 and KDR Music House, building a strong background in music distribution and artist relations. Currently, Louie oversees artist onboarding and provides support to artists and labels on backend operations, ensuring a seamless experience on the platform. He also leads in pitching releases to digital streaming platforms (DSPs).

A Record Label of the Future

Miranda believes that with the newly revamped team, ONErpm is ready to meet artists where they are and build locally with global standards.

“The Philippines already has the talent pool, a passionate music scene, and strong export potential, which allows us to add considerable value through flexible deal structures, transparency, incredible local personnel, and our tech stack,” Isaac Miranda added. “Our goal is to provide global reach with local execution. We have A&R, marketing, and partnerships teams staffed locally, but backed by a platform and network that already moves hits across continents.”

ONErpm wants to provide creators at every level of their careers with scalable opportunities, comprehensive support, and growth-driven strategies by reinventing what it means to be a record label. In addition to commemorating its 15-year history, the company’s entry into the Philippines marks a daring move toward influencing Southeast Asia’s musical landscape.

The new track was helmed and co-written by multi-platinum producer Mark Feist, who’s worked with globally renowned artists like Beyonce, Celine Dion, Outkast, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and more 

OPM legend Jay R collaborates with pop upstart Shanice from Los Angeles on the song “Never Ever,” which was released on Friday, August 22, 2025 through Hitmakers Entertainment and Symphonic Asia.

The sophisticated R&B hit, which was produced and co-written by Grammy-nominated Mark Feist, Shanice, and Jay R, addresses a type of love that endures even when things don’t fit. “Never Ever” evokes the comforting warmth of returning home to a loved one, promising commitment even during life’s coldest seasons, with sultry and soulful vocals that cut through a backdrop of luscious strings, slow-burning beats, and mesmerizing instrumentation.

“Never Ever is about love and wanting it forever,” says Mark Feist, the chart-topping producer behind worldwide hits like Destiny’s Child’s Emotions. “It’s a tale as old as time, and something all people can relate to, whether it manifests in the form of love, loss, or longing.”

[UNIVERSAL LINK]

The track’s creative journey began with Shanice’s scratch melody, which Feist reimagined from a straightforward 4/4 into a sweeping 6/8 to give the song a more cinematic, flowing quality. From there, he restructured the arrangement, placing the hook at the forefront and refining the chord progression to build emotional momentum.

The recording took place between Los Angeles and Manila, with Shanice and Jay R laying their vocals in separate studios. Feist incorporated live instrumentation, tapping Erick Walls (Usher, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson) on electric guitar and Courtney Leonard (Chris Brown, Beyoncé) on bass. Every sonic detail was shaped to enhance the emotional arc of the lyrics, from the delicate intro to the soaring, anthemic chorus.

“Once the lyrics were complete and Jay R added his Tagalog parts, the song kind of produced itself,” recalls Feist. “I heard all of these amazing string parts in my head, wrote them down and built the track around that lush foundation. This is one of the productions that I’m most proud of—not only for the music, but the way it brought together incredible talent from two continents into one seamless piece of art.”

For Jay R and Shanice, the collaboration brought the best of both worlds, literally and figuratively. “Shanice wrote the song and presented it already perfect,” reveals the King of R&B. “I just added a few Tagalog lyrics to better fit our market. She’s incredibly talented, and we share a natural chemistry on stage.”

Shanice shares the same sentiment, praising Jay R for his commitment to the collaborative process. “Working with Jay R is so cool! The creative process was natural and easy. He’s so talented and experienced, and I learned so much from him. Never Ever has been one of the highlights of my journey so far.”

Guji Lorenzana, who oversees the project’s promotional efforts through Symphonic Asia, believes that while Never Ever resonates in today’s music climate, it has a timeless edge that people from different generations would appreciate. He affirms that both artists have a promising future not just in the Philippines, but around the world.

“I think Never Ever feels especially relevant right now because we’re seeing a reemergence of that OG R&B sound, both in the Philippines and the USA,” the record label executive explains.  “It’s a style that instantly takes you back but still feels fresh today. For me, this track hits home the production is top-notch, the vibe is smooth, and the chemistry between Jay R and Shanice is undeniable. I hope listeners feel that same connection, whether it’s love at first listen or something that grows on them with every replay.”

Jay R and Shanice’s “Never Ever” is out on all digital music platforms worldwide this Friday, August 22, 2025 via Hitmakers Entertainment and Symphonic Asia.

About Jay R

Jay R, widely recognized as the “King of R&B” in the Philippines, is celebrated for his extraordinary talent and original artistry. Born in Los Angeles, California, his passion for music began early. He performed with The Howlers alongside his sister Jhing, under the guidance of their uncle Bob, and later refined his craft with the boy band First Impression before launching his solo career.

After relocating to Manila, Jay R released his debut album, Gameface, which achieved double- platinum status, firmly establishing him as an R&B icon. He followed up with acclaimed albums such as Soul In Love, OPM Love Classics, and Elevated, earning multiple platinum and gold certifications. His music remains popular and easily accessible on Spotify.

Beyond his music career, Jay R has been a sought-after brand ambassador for major companies like Colgate, Tropicana, and Bench. Currently, he is meticulously working on his next album, dedicating countless hours in the studio to ensure every detail reflects his artistic vision. With an impressive 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Jay R continues to make waves in the music industry. His recent single, Sining, dominated the charts in the Philippines for over 45 days and secured his place in history as the first Filipino artist to enter the global Top 60 chart. It was also the fastest song to 200M streams in the Philippines, with well over 300M streams to date.

Alongside renowned producer and label boss Mark J. Feist (Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, etc.), Jay R is currently releasing songs through Hitmakers Entertainment (HME). His most recent track, “Tunay,” from HME is inspired by the soulful R&B era of the early 2000s. His duet with Shanice, a fellow member of the HME roster, “Never Ever,” which will be released on August 22, is an emotional rollercoaster that is likely to enthrall viewers and leave them wanting more.

About Shanice

Shanice is a 23-year-old pop artist living in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in Bremen, Germany, she has a diverse background, with parents of Turkish, German, and Portuguese descent. Shanice’s music is a reflection of her diverse upbringing, drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, including Pop, R&B, 80s music, rock and jazz, and influence from the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Cullum, Gang of Youths, Hozier, and so much more.

After graduating from Hurtwood House, Shanice went on to study music at Leeds Conservatoire, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Pop Music. While there, she connected with Mark Feist, famed producer (Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, etc.) and Hitmakers Entertainment Label Head, who signed her immediately upon graduation.

Shanice released her debut single, “I Got You” on August 25, 2023. The song is a self- empowerment anthem about knowing your worth and being confident in yourself. “I Got You” has been praised for its catchy melody, powerful lyrics, and Shanice’s stunning vocals. The official music video showcases her unbelievable performance and dance skills that rival the best in the business.

Speaking on her music and writing, Shanice said, “I would describe my music as a relief for emotions. Every feeling, or memory you can’t put into words because it is too overwhelming, that is what I aim for my music to express. I want my songs to give a voice to all those sentiments that are so heartachingly powerful that you cannot describe them. I put my heart into all of my songs, so I hope with some of the things I address lyrically, I can help people and inspire them.”

Since then, Shanice has written and released over 25 masters and 8 official music videos. She continues to release a new song every month, experimenting with lyrics, performance, and bending genres to compete with the best that Pop has ever seen. With her unique sound and undeniable talent, Shanice is sure to be a star on the rise, as the world continues to experience the breadth of who she is.

The track navigates the heart-melting feeling of infatuation and young love

Acclaimed Korean producer Ziv collaborates with up-and-coming Filipino musician Jolianne on the sticky-sweet pop soul song “Kuryente,” which perfectly encapsulates the early phases of infatuation.

Miguel Benjamin of the award-winning band Ben&Ben co-wrote “Kuryente” as a love letter to his wife, with Jolianne and Ziv contributing equally. The song was inspired by the couple’s personal stories about how they get little shocks of static electricity everytime their hands come into contact. This delicate detail helped to define the song, which Ziv’s elaborate yet lighthearted production and Jolianne’s shimmering rendition later brought to life.

“That inspired me to make and produce this playful song about how infatuation and early romance feels,” shares Ziv. “I really wanted to hit the right balances of expressing who I was through my musical background. Being Korean yet being born here in the Philippines, I wanted to find the right balance of putting both of those influences into the production, which I feel makes it unique.”

For Jolianne, embracing that feeling meant channeling innocence, excitement, and the thrill of being lit up by someone’s presence. To prepare for the vocal take, Jolianne envisioned herself as the lead in a teleserye, where every glance and touch is charged with meaning. She wanted to interpret the material with the right mix of sweetness, playfulness, and kilig—a uniquely Filipino word that captures the fluttering joy of being overwhelmed by romance.

“Vocally, this was one of the more challenging songs I’ve put out because it pushed me to access my voice in a different way,” the “Plain Girl” songstress adds. “From a technical standpoint, I experimented a lot with dynamics and registers. And of course, singing in Tagalog also shaped the way I sounded here, adding another layer of character to the performance.”

Blending funky pop groove with heart-stopping charisma, “Kuryente” pulls off its tricks by pairing Jolianne’s silky, infectious vocals with Ziv’s soulful and Korean R&B-style production.

“I always want to include a blend of ease and tension in my productions,” Ziv says. I therefore aimed for a groove that was infused with a romantic vibe in this composition. Additionally, a lot of the musicians and music I’ve been enjoying lately served as inspiration.

“Kuryente” by Jolianne and Ziv is currently available on all digital music platforms globally through Sony Music Entertainment.