An indecisive fan’s guide to Fete de la Musique 2019

Fete de la Musique’s 25th year is hella big. Newcomers and regulars are in for a surprise—from last year’s 35 pocket stages, we’re having 52 pocket stages, plus five main stages outside Manila, and your faves performing with your future faves.

This free-for-all music fest is out to give us something to talk about. Or since it hasn’t gone down yet, they’ll try their damndest.

But 52 stages is plenty. Whether you’re a Fete veteran or virgin, navigating each pocket stage will be hard. What if you end up on a bad stage? Or what if you’re missing out on a good one? Too many choices give birth to indecisiveness. That’s why we decided to make your experience a bit easier.

From us to fellow indecisive peeps out there, here are ideal itineraries for every type of Fete goer. Keep in mind: they’re just ideas. No need to follow them to a tee. Spontaneity is sexy, but a little planning never hurt nobody.

The Fete Virgin

For newcomers, pocket stages are an auditory food buffet. The possibilities are endless. You can be twirling in the streets of Poblacion, singing “A Whole New World” while tipsy at the end of the night. But how do you start the night? Where does one begin their Fete journey? It happens when you first step into the streets of Makati, ready to get Dora the Explorer on everyone.

You’ll be welcomed with a plethora of bars to go to. Just in case you have no idea where to start, we have some stages in mind for you. Learn why everyone’s fucking with the Bedroom Beats’ vibe, or be in for a surprise at Furiosa’s Shoegaze stage. Go to crowd favorites and learn why they are worth going to.

Whether it’s for you or not, at least you get the first taste on what the hype’s about.

Certified Moshpit Diver

Sweat, Red Horse, and plenty of stage dives.

These Fete stages are not for the faint of heart. And if this is your preferred itinerary, you probably already know that. Here’s a Fete plan for goers who want a rowdy night filled with deafening drum beats and sick guitar solos. Go and head bang, start a wall of death, or buy homemade merch from some punk rocker. Who gives a shit? Not you. So keep it real and rock the fuck out.

Audiophiles United

Here’s to the ones who are all about music composition’s intricacies. You are a sucker for technicality, focusing on tempo more than lyricism. Ambient beats over a quick pop tune any day. There’s nothing wrong with that. It just so happens that you appreciate music differently. And that’s all good.
Now, daily gigs like these might be rare for you. But not during this year’s Fete. Not sure where to begin? Here are the stages where you can start your journey into different soundscapes.

Analog Stage by AFBC.INC @ OTO
Arbie Won | Diego Mapa | Diego Castillo | Labjaxx

The Get Down Kid

Bust out moves and let the good times roll! Expect amazing tunes from DJs, bands, and everything in between. We have an array of genres anyone can groove to: from electro to funk to any good beat that can get us moving. Catch who’s spinning at Black Market’s House Party Stage or go ballistic with the freaks from 20:20’s Sideshow Stage. With these stages in the lineup, a dull Fete night is nonexistent.

Enter the Cypher

Listen to OGs and young bloods drop bars ’till dawn. Catch your faves like Kartell’em and Bawal Clan in Project 4 Productions’ Not Bad Stage. Peep the Philippine Allstars and Street Queens busting moves, while DJs and emcees go off at the Hip-hop and Street Dance Stage. If you’re taking it easy, don’t fret—get on those chill vibes with Z Hostel’s R&B stage.

New Thrills

Let’s say you’re a Fete veteran. You’re someone who already saw everything—you know where to go, what stages to visit, and who you want to catch onstage. What else is there if you drop by Fete this year? Is there anything left? Of course, there is. It’s Fete Dela Musique. There are always new stages and thrills.

Get your kicks at novelty stages like GIG Productions’ Zodiac Stage. Go for their world music, stay for the tarot card readings and sound healing sessions. Want an all-ladies lineup? Drop by Bigtimetado’s Femme Fatale stage and catch acts like Project Yazz or May.

If anyone wants a complete surprise, drop by Discovery Stage who’s keeping everything hush hush ’till Jun. 22 comes. Options never end in this lineup.

Zodiac Stage by GIG Productions @ Gallery in the Gutter
Apex Chuidian or Floating Sound Nation | Datu Arellano | Dana Marquez | V432 Wellness

Pride Stage by Fringe Creatives @ Pineapple Lab
Nica del Rosario | Nar Cabico | Paris Roxas and Inah Evans

Discovery Stage by Echoes PH @ Warehouse Eight
Secret Lineup

Still from Fete de la Musique