Fête De La Musique 2025 Ignites Cebuano Music Renaissance

Fete de la Musique in Cebu poster

At last year’s Fête De La Musique press conference, Dexter Sy, Festival Director and Co-Founder of Melt Records, was asked if they had landed their “ideal lineup.” His answer was candid: “Not yet.” For Dexter, an ideal lineup could only exist if every genre and every community from the local music scene was represented. 

Fete de la Musique Cebu Press Conference at La Vie Parisienne in Busay

Fast forward to this year, and that vision is finally hitting the stage.

With over 50 artists across 8 different stages, Fête De La Musique 2025 is Cebu’s biggest and most ambitious celebration of music to date. Brought to life by Melt Records, M Lhuillier, and Alliance Française de Cebu, this year’s festival is a full-city takeover. One massive series of simultaneous events that finally captures the rich, diverse soundscape of Cebu’s music scene. 

Originally launched in Paris on June 21, 1982, Fête De La Musique—also known as World Music Day—was created to democratize music. The idea was simple but radical: remove the barriers between artists and audiences, break down genre hierarchies, and let people take to the streets to play together.

Fete de la Musique in the Philippines poster

That spirit lives on in Cebu. “Our goals for the festivities remain the same,” says Sir Dexter. “To elevate local independent musicians, and to legitimize independent music as an essential part of Cebu’s contemporary culture.” From hip-hop to shoegaze, folk to funk, punk to pop, this is the year Cebu hears itself in full color. And everyone’s invited.

More photos from the Fete de la Musique Cebu Press Conference

The Main Stage

The fun begins at Ayala Malls Central Bloc Corte Garden on June 21st, featuring musical acts from local legends to up-and-coming artists representing various music communities. The main stage produced by Studio Mojo will be set amidst Cebu's IT district, connecting the music scene with the casual folk.

The lineup for this stage includes: Coloura, Vincent Eco, Who's Next, Liana San Diego, Girl With A Broken String, Felhony, The Line Divides, Sheila and the Insects, as well as DJ sets by MISTERMIL & DJ LIT.

This diverse set will give you guys a taste of the best of Cebuano music and a glimpse of what to expect in the coming weeks. 

The Pocket Stages

For the first time ever, Fête De La Musique in Cebu will be hosting multiple pocket stages. Seven stages each with their own genre, subculture, and crowd will be playing all at the same night. Yeah, you read that right. The organizers reached out to local productions to put up these stages which not only highlights the performers but the contributions of these productions to Cebuano music and cultural venues as well. The goal here is to create an intimate and inclusive environment for Cebuano musicians and their audiences to create meaningful connections.

It’s a lot. And that’s why I got you. You might be new to the scene so here’s a little something about each pocket stage, to get you started.

Atúa Pop Stage

If you’re an artsy one who's down to get it down, Cebu’s iconic pop girlies will be performing at Atúa Midtown. This stage produced by Filla Killa features artists from various pop subgenres like IIICCCYYY, Kate Lucero, Sauf, Julia Q, and DJ Panghitaboujee.

Casa Gorordo Busking Stage

The most Gen Z lineup you’ve ever seen: Kate Livewire, Cliff, Jericho Streegan, Angelou Sereno, Dixzie Cruel, and Victoria Ingram. These up-and-coming artists will be busking at Casa Gorordo Museum, serenading you with stripped down versions of their songs and a bisaya song to honor the historical and cultural venue. This one’s produced by Folkin’ Friends.

Draft Punk Analog Stage

You’ll find the vinyl and cassette enthusiasts at Draft Punk jamming to BAIHAUS CREW. This stage is brought to you by BAIHUS, an iconic vinyl store from Lapu-Lapu City. If you enjoy the old-school, analog form of music, this gig is for you.

Handuraw Ska & Reggae Stage

This stage by Skanky Vibes & Vanity Records will have you grooving and moving to one of Cebu’s OG Ska bands Who’s Next, Southern Witch Hunt, Busking Side Project, Queen of the South, LozDrap, God Save Me, Blackzillah, Fiyah, Rootsman Project, Santing, Selah Dub Warriors, Mahibu, and Vinyl DJ sets by Vanity Records Cebu & UNIK. They’ll be at Handuraw so order pizza while you’re there!

La Parisienne Tropical Thunder Stage

You’ve got to be ready to bust it down because Phire Starter has brought you MISTERMIL, DJ LIT, KIT, DJ RBK + DJ KRV, Kiezo, Santi Gnaelo, Justraw, Felhony, and Drippie Eric. They’ll get you hooked with their afro-beats with an awesome view at La Parisienne.

Tunecore Indie Stage

Rock out to Cebu’s staple indie bands at Cebu Making Space. The Queens, KANA, Kubra Commander, Deanery, Hazy Daisy, The Midnight Greetings, The Pervs, Karma, Highway Seven Circus, Offals, Cosmic Kid, and She Must Be Dreaming will be serving up hits at the heart of Cebu City. This stage is brought to you by John Bottles & Cebu Making Space.

Unity Heavy Stage

Cebu’s favorite hardcore bands will be at Unity Coffee & Vinyl. This stage is set up by Hello Good Morning Production with performances from Stab, flowr, Roughands., SHVRIKEN, The Rising Tide, Pulsing Chunky, Interstate, Awkward Dancer, and Shuffled. 

We’ve had gigs overlap a million times, anyone who’s had an event at CMS but had to pop into Draft Punk or Ahka to see their friends gigs knows that, but we’ve never had this many communities celebrate under one major umbrella event. I think that’s pretty dope. Celebrating with our own circles yet united by music. This just goes to show how diverse and how special the Cebuano music scene is despite how small this island is. You’re part of that. Let that sink in.

If you need more info or the exact locations of each stage, you can visit the official Fête De La Musique 2025 in Cebu website. For more updates, you can check out Melt Records’ facebook and instagram page.

All photos from the presscon are by Mic Pacalioga. All official event posters designed by Inodoro Graphic Design

Fete de la Musique team and Event Partners