The Southeast Asian music showcase heads back to Jimbaran Hub on Aug. 29 and 30 with artists from across the region, an expanded songwriting camp and a new hawker-inspired food experience.
AXEAN Festival has unveiled the first batch of artists for its 2026 edition, giving music fans an early look at what is shaping up to be one of Southeast Asia’s biggest gatherings for independent music.
Returning to Jimbaran Hub in Bali on Aug. 29 and 30 for its third consecutive year, the festival will once again bring together artists, music industry professionals and delegates from across the region. Beyond the live performances, AXEAN continues to position itself as a platform where musicians can build international connections, collaborate and reach new audiences.
Indonesia leads this year’s first wave of announcements with a strong mix of established and emerging acts. The lineup includes top streamed singer-songwriter Ndarboy Genk, experimental quartet Basajan, Yogyakarta band LOR, Tropical Dessert trio Babon, Jakarta alternative rock outfit Satu Per Empat, singer-songwriter Jo Soegono, jazz rock trio Emptyyy and R&B artist Noni.
The regional lineup is equally diverse. Malaysia will be represented by indie pop favourites Masdo, alternative rock veterans Pitahati and genre-blending duo Lil Asian Thiccie x dj magn3sium. From the Philippines come hip hop trio PLAYERTWO, city pop band ALYSON and indie rock outfit Novocrane, while Singapore’s first wave includes indie rock band Subsonic Eye and experimental collective sub:shaman. Thailand contributes Yellow Fang, INSPIRATIVE, SLOWWVES and Cupnoodle, with Macau’s Scamper and France’s Treaks completing the international lineup announced so far.
The festival’s organisers say artist selection goes beyond streaming numbers or commercial success. According to co-founder Piyapong Muenprasertdee, professionalism, strong live performances and a clear artistic vision remain central to the curation process, while AXEAN also makes room for artists from music scenes that are less frequently represented on the international stage.
Alongside the performances, AXEAN Festival 2026 will expand its songwriting camp, an initiative first introduced in 2024 that brings artists together in a collaborative environment to create new music. This year’s edition will also introduce a new food and beverage concept inspired by Southeast Asia’s hawker centres and food courts, allowing festivalgoers to explore regional cuisine alongside the music. Industry programming, including panel discussions, business matchmaking sessions and networking opportunities, will also return.
Since launching in 2020, AXEAN Festival has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s leading music export platforms. Across six editions, it has featured more than 200 artists from 20 countries, attracted 420 delegates from 32 countries and welcomed close to 18,000 attendees at its in-person events. As the festival prepares for another year in Bali, its ambition remains the same: to provide Southeast Asian artists with a larger stage while strengthening connections across the region’s music industry.
AXEAN Festival 2026
Dates: Aug. 29 to 30, 2026
Venue: Jimbaran Hub, Bali, Indonesia
Highlights:
- First wave of regional and international artists announced
- Expanded Songwriting Camp
- Southeast Asian hawker-inspired food experience
- Music conference, business matchmaking and networking sessions
Early bird tickets: Available now
Ticketing: www.loket.com/o/axeanfestival