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The Filipino music scene continues to gain global recognition, and three promising homegrown acts are about to take another big step onto the international stage. This August, ALYSON, PLAYERTWO, and Novocrane will represent the Philippines at AXEAN Festival 2026, one of Southeast Asia's leading music showcase and conference events.
Scheduled for August 29 to 30, 2026, at Jimbaran Hub in Bali, Indonesia, the festival brings together rising artists, music executives, festival organizers, and fans from across the region and beyond. For the three Filipino acts, it's an opportunity to perform before an international audience while opening doors to new collaborations and global opportunities.
Filipino Artists Take Center Stage at AXEAN Festival 2026
ALYSON, PLAYERTWO, and Novocrane were selected by AXEAN Festival together with The Rest Is Noise PH, the festival's co-founder and official Philippine partner.
Their inclusion highlights the growing strength of the Philippine independent music scene, which continues to produce artists with distinct sounds capable of reaching audiences far beyond the country.
According to The Rest Is Noise PH and AXEAN Festival co-founder MC Galang, showcasing Filipino talent internationally has always been part of the organization's long-term vision.
"As co-founders of both AXEAN Festival and The Rest Is Noise PH, it's especially meaningful for us to continue creating opportunities that connect Filipino artists with international audiences, industry professionals, and new markets. Over the years, our work has been centered on building bridges between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, and seeing more Filipino artists take their place on global stages is a reminder of why that work matters."
Galang added that the organization's efforts continue to expand beyond festivals.
Earlier this year, The Rest Is Noise PH launched its music consultancy and artist management arm, beginning with global management representation and bookings for ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, one of the standout acts from AXEAN Festival 2025.
"For us, these efforts all stem from the same belief: that Filipino artists deserve sustained support, meaningful opportunities, and a place in conversations happening far beyond our borders. We're excited for what lies ahead, not just for these artists, but also for the next generation of Filipino musicians ready to connect with the world."
A Diverse Lineup from Across Southeast Asia
The Philippines joins an impressive roster of artists representing different corners of Asia.
Indonesia's first wave of performers includes Ndarboy Genk, Basajan, LOR, Babon, Satu Per Empat, Jo Soegono, Emptyyy, and Noni.
Other participating artists include Malaysia's Masdo, Pitahati, and Lil Asian Thiccie x dj magn3sium, Singapore's Subsonic Eye and sub, Thailand's Yellow Fang, INSPIRATIVE, SLOWWVES, and Cupnoodle, along with Scamper from Macau and Treaks from France.
The diverse lineup reflects AXEAN Festival's growing reputation as a platform that champions emerging talent while celebrating Southeast Asia's vibrant and evolving music landscape.
AXEAN Festival Focuses on Global Music Opportunities
For AXEAN Festival co-founder Piyapong Muenprasertdee, artist selection goes beyond popularity.
He explained that professionalism, exceptional live performances, and a strong artistic identity remain key considerations. At the same time, the festival intentionally creates space for artists from music scenes that often receive less international exposure.
"Professionalism, live performance excellence, and a clear artistic vision genuinely drive most of our selections. However, not every artist meets all the criteria, and this approach is intentional. We also prioritize representing less-heard music scenes."
Fellow co-founder David Siow believes this year's lineup offers audiences the chance to discover artists poised for international success.
"For audiences, our curation of artists has been geared towards artists with great live sets and who are ripe for export. You can see artists who are about to blow up, artists who will blow your minds, and artists whose future moves will blow you away."
New Experiences Await at AXEAN Festival 2026
Beyond live performances, AXEAN Festival continues to expand its artist development initiatives.
The festival's Songwriting Camp, introduced in 2024 and refined in 2025, returns as one of its signature programs. Designed to encourage collaboration in a relaxed environment, the camp gives artists the opportunity to create new music while building lasting connections across the region.
According to Siow, the laid-back atmosphere plays an important role in fostering creativity.
"We take pride in creating a relaxed and casual environment that fosters creativity and friendships, as we believe the atmosphere contributes to the high quality of the final song outputs."
Festivalgoers can also look forward to a brand-new food and beverage concept inspired by Southeast Asia's famous hawker centers. The curated dining experience will showcase dishes from across the region, offering another way for attendees to experience Southeast Asian culture beyond music.
Piyapong noted that food naturally brings people together, making it an ideal addition to the festival's community-driven atmosphere.
In addition, AXEAN Festival will continue offering industry-focused programming through panel discussions, networking sessions, and business matchmaking opportunities for artists and music professionals.
Early Bird Tickets Now Available
Early bird tickets for AXEAN Festival 2026 are now on sale, with more artist announcements, conference speakers, and festival activities expected in the coming months.
As Filipino artists continue making their mark on the international music scene, the participation of ALYSON, PLAYERTWO, and Novocrane highlights the growing global interest in homegrown talent. Their appearance at AXEAN Festival is another encouraging sign that Original Pilipino Music continues to reach new audiences and build meaningful connections across Southeast Asia and beyond.
