(SPOT.ph) It's Fête de la Musique season, a.k.a fun and music-filled nights with artists, musicians, and audiences alike gathering on different stages across the Metro (and even in different Philippine islands!) for a celebration of the local music scene. The best part? It's all for free!
Also read: Here's Your Guide to Everything You Need to Bring to a Music Festival
Here's what to expect at the Fête de la Musique 2023:
This year, it's not just local music that Fête's putting a spotlight on, but also on oceans. The 2023 edition of the country's most popular free music event is entitled MerSea—a wordplay on French words for "sea" (mer) and "thank you" (merci).
“In spite of all our differences, music—just like the oceans—connects us humans with each other,” says Xavier Leroux, the executive director of Alliançe Française de Manille.
MerSea aims to "both express its gratitude for 29 years of Franco-Filipino cultural relations and to contribute to furthering ocean conservation efforts." From a fundraising campaign to various activities, like coastal clean-ups and tree plantings in various parts of the country.
“More than just merry-making, we also seek to use our collective voice as Fête de la Musique PH as a platform for causes close to our heart,” says Giselle Tomimbang, President of B-Side Productions, co-producer of Fête de la Musique.
You can kick off Fête de la Musique by going pocket-stage hopping and hunting around the 31 independently-produced stages featuring fresh and diverse local artists like Jensen and the Flips, Janine Tenoso, MilesExperience, among others dotted around Metro Manila on June 17. You can also make your way to participating venues, which include Mansion Sports Bar and Lounge, H&J Sports Bar & Restaurant, A’toda Madre, Mang Rudy’s Tuna Grill And Papaitan, Social House, saGuijo Cafe, Alamat Filipino Cuisine, Boogie MNL, among others.
This year's main stage, which usually takes place in Puerta Real Gardens in Intramuros, jumps to Greenbelt, Makati on June 23. You can jam and vibe to the songs and performances of Blaster & the Celestial Klownz, Lola Amour, Of Mercury, SOS, Gabba, Cheats, Ena Mori, Kindred, Hernandez Brothers X Lustbass, and Uncle Bob's Funky Seven Club from 4:00 p.m. onwards. Don't forget to be on the lookout for updates about surprises and performances on their socials because you never know what else could be in store.
For those of you who want to join in the fun but are far away from the Metro—say, like Tagaytay, Laguna, Zambales, Pampanga, or even farther like Cebu, El Nido, and even in Siargao, among others—don't worry because Fête is coming to you through destination stages on June 24. Siargao and Cebu will be hosting their own stages on June 21 as well.
Meanwhile, French artists R3 or Remi Panossian Trio—composed of pianist Remi Panossian, bassist Maxime Delporte, and drummer Frederic Petitprez, will grace the Fete celebration on June 21 at the Long Bar at Raffles Makati.
The schedule of activities is readily available online which makes it easier to go where your heart takes you and enjoy a night filled with a wide range of musical genres and vibes with people who share the same sentiments.
#MerSeaFetePH, the 29th edition of Fête de la Musique Philippines is presented by the Alliance Française de Manille in partnership with B-Side Productions and the Embassy of France to the Philippines and co-organized by the Department of Tourism.
For more information, check out Fête de la Musique's Facebook page.
Also read: UPDATED: Don't Miss These International Acts Coming to the PH in 2023
