With the month of June in full swing, it’s time for Fête De La Musique once again.
This 2024, Fête De La Musique — or World Music Day — commemorates its 30th anniversary in the Philippines, promising to be an even grander celebration of music within the bustling music scenes of Metro Manila and beyond.
Originating from France in 1982, the now-global celebration’s Philippine iteration — Fête PH — traces its humble beginnings back to 1994 with only one venue and about 40 or so attendees. Thirty years later, the borders and community of Fête De La Musique in the Philippines continue to grow, consistently boasting countless stages within Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines, featuring diverse sets of acts from different genres, and all happening across multiple dates.
Courtesy of @FetePH
Over the years, as much as the Filipino music scene continues to adapt and evolve, Fête PH has expanded its reach, introducing its Metro Manila pocket stages in 2011, and eventually its destination stages across the Philippines in 2017. These stages have constantly served as a way for both rising and veteran Filipino acts to showcase their musicianship to more and more people, having been graced by the likes of Ena Mori, Ben&Ben, Kjwan, Lola Amour, SOS, Unique Salonga, Gabba, The Itchyworms, and dozens of others.
Before you head into the grandest celebration of music this 2024, here’s what you can expect at this year’s Fête PH.
Who is performing at the Fête PH 2024 Main Stage?
Of course, Fête de la Musique 2024 wouldn’t be without its prime attraction: the Main Stage.
This year, the Fête PH Main Stage returns to the Greenbelt 3 Park and is set to be held on June 21. In true Fête fashion, it will feature a stellar lineup of varying genres, including Any Name’s Okay, Autotelic, Dilaw, dwta, Jason Dhakal x Lustbass, Jewelmer Jazz Band, Morobeats, Sinosikat x Jose Miguel, and SHANNi.
In line with its tradition of also promoting French-Filipino cultural exchange, DJs pFeL and Greem of renowned French electro-soul collective C2C will also join the main stage lineup to get everyone moving to their electronica-hip-hop fusion sound. A day prior, the duo will also perform a special set at Mistral in Raffles Makati on June 20.
Courtesy of @FetePH
Where are the Pocket Stages in Metro Manila happening?
With Filipino music continuing to evolve constantly, the vast diversity it possesses in form and in sound comes as no surprise. Fittingly, Fête de la Musique is the perfect occasion to witness this in person.
A week following the party on the Main Stage, the Pocket Stages of Fête de la Musique are set to light up Makati City as one, concurrent with the barangay fiesta celebrations of Makati’s beloved Poblacion. More than 40 pocket stages will host countless performances at the same time, boasting a vast array of genres from hundreds of Filipino acts across different musical subcultures.
These vibrant stages will include the likes of the Indie Stage at SariSari, the Rock Stage at Alibi Music Lounge, the Blues Soul Funk Stage at H&J, the Emo Stage at SaGuijo, the Reggae Stage at Handle Bar, and the Dream Pop/Shoegaze Stage at Mang Rudy’s Tuna Grill & Papaitan, all in Makati City. Just outside the city, there’s the Punk Stage at 88 Fryer in Quezon City, and the Grunge Stage at Roadhouse Manila Bay in Pasay City. For something out of the ordinary, one can check out the Medicine Music Stage at Ecstatic Cacao Nights, as well as the Kirtan Stage with mediation and mantras at Gnostic, in line with Fête PH’s Music Heals agenda.
Courtesy of @FetePH
Check out the list of pocket stages below:
- Blue Soul Funk Stage – H&J Sports Bar & Restaurant
- Indie Stage – Sari Sari
- Smoke Signal Stage – Boogie MNL
- Latin Stage – A’Toda Madre
- P°LANET Stage – Nokal
- Disco Stage and Dojo Stage – Kampai
- Punk Stage – 88 Fryer (Quezon City)
- Bandang X’s Stage (Bandang 90’s) – TBA
- New Wave Stage – Bourbon New Orleans PH
- Continuum Bass Stage: Jungle, Drum & Bass, Breaks, Dubs, And Beyond – Hoesik
- The Rabbit Hole Stage – Ugly Duck
- Ditto Live: Fête Stage – UNWND Boutique Hotel
- Emo Stage – SaGuijo
- Rock Stage – Alibi Music Lounge
- “Années Folles” – The Spirits Library
- Dream Pop/Shoegaze Stage – Mang Rudy’s Tuna Grill & Papaitan
- Acoustic Stage – Coda Wet Bar @ Coro Hotel Rooftop
- Big House Stage – Babaganoosh MNL
- Ska Stage – Kashmir Live
- Gothic Experimental Stage –Vice & Other Habits
- Final Round Stage (Final Round Promotions x Offshore Music x KNYA Collective) – The Mansion
- Funk And Disco Stage – Z Hostel & It’s A Groove Thang
- Analog Stage (Vinyl + Synth + Psychedelic) – MONO
- Extra Funky Stage – Annex House
- The Good Sh*t Stage – Good Sh*t Craft
- Stripey Stage – OTO
- Grunge/Alternative Stage – Roadhouse Manila Bay (Pasay City)
- Reggae Stage – Handle Bar
- Progressive/Crossover Rock Stage – Cuento Bar Poblacion @ Secreto Rooftop
- World Music Stage – White Banana
- Busking Stage – 1018 Rooftop Bar
- Blacksheep Manila Stage – Social House
- R&B Stage/K-pop Stage – Dear Adam / Sweet Lucy
- Disco Stage – Stardust
- Kirtan Stage – Gnostic
- Spark Stage –121 Bar Makati
- Medicine Music Stage – Ecstatic Cacao Nights
- Capo MNL Stage – WYP
- Hip-Hop Stage – Justin Alonte Studio
- House & Techno Stage – Cova MNL
- Dr. House Stage – Le Jardin, Dr. Wine Poblacion
- P-pop Stage – ONE Ayala Mall
Where are the Destination Stages happening?
Apart from the Main Stage and the Pocket Stages across Metro Manila, the rest of the Philippines won’t be left out of the party.
With 2024 set to be the biggest edition of Fête PH yet, a major factor in this achievement is this year’s Destination Stages across the entirety of the archipelago. Whether you reside in these locations or simply want to experience other Philippine music scenes, you’ll be able to take part in the festivities through these shows.
Happening from June 21 to 29, Destination Stages will be found across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with around 70 stages across 20 different locations — Albay, Bacoor, Baguio, Baler, Cagayan de Oro, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, El Nido, Laguna, Los Baños, Marikina, Masbate, Naga City, Pampanga, Puerto Galera, Siargao, South Cotabato, and Zambales.
Are there other activities besides the music performances?
A meditative musical experience courtesy of ‘Music Heals’
With a goal of sending a message that music is “not only for partying and having fun, but also a means to nourish the mind, heart, body and soul,” Fête PH reintroduces Music Heals — an immersive experience that doubles as an advocacy — through the Pre-Fête Sunset Gathering: A Medicine Music Circle + Ecstatic Dance + Sound Bath.
With her love for music inspiring her to learn its healing essence and impart the knowledge with other people, the event will be hosted by singer-songwriter, women’s empowerment advocate, and sound meditation teacher Lee Grane. It is set to happen at the Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati City this June 16, from 5 PM to 8 PM.
Courtesy of @FetePH
A peek into the industry side of things with ‘SONIK SESSIONS FETE’
In partnership with SONIK Philippines, Fête De La Musique is also delivering a behind-the-scenes, educational look into the music industry for their 30th year. SONIK SOIREE is the second edition of SONIK SESSIONS FETE, a music-focused conference that aims to provide insight into the “business and artist sides” of the “music eco-system to elevate the entire industry.” It is set to happen at The Astbury in Makati City this June 22 with an afterparty set to happen at Boogie MNL in Makati City.
The event is co-presented by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Institut Français and will feature The Green Room France’s Gwen Sharp, an advocate for environmental as well as societal change in the cultural sector.
What is the last event I can go to for Fête De La Musique 2024?
What better way to close off this grand celebration of music than to say thanks to everyone who took part in it?
Concluding this year’s Fête PH is a Gratitude Party, happening with a “street meet” at Paseo de Roxas, Makati City on August 11. While more details on this year’s event have yet to be revealed, last year’s Gratitude Party happened from August 12 to 13. Alongside offerings of the tastiest food, it saw performances from bagpiper Roy Espiritu, DJ Alexandra, and more.
Courtesy of @FetePH
How much do I need to pay for each show?
The good news? All of these events are absolutely free.
As always, there is no need to pay anything to become part of the annual events Fête de la Musique has in store for everyone as entrance is completely free. Whether you want to stage-hop across Makati on the 28th or witness the Destination Stages wherever you reside, you and your family and friends are more than welcome to experience all of it and more without charge.
With over a hundred free shows across the Philippines held for over a week, this year’s Fete PH is definitely something you shouldn’t miss.
To stay updated with these year’s celebrations, follow Fête De La Musique PH on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.