A music and arts celebration for oceans

Hundreds of artists will gather across 43 stages nationwide this month as Fête de la Musique Philippines broadens its horizons to advocate for the oceans.

“In spite of all our differences, music – just like the oceans – connects us humans with each other,” said Xavier Leroux, executive director of Alliançe Française de Manille.

Over the years, Fête has used music to champion various initiatives beginning with Music Heals and partnering with beneficiaries such as the Virlanie Foundation and Maestro Ryan Cayabyab's Bayanihan Musikahan.

Entitled “MerSea” — a play on French words for sea (mer) and thank you (merci) — the 2023 edition of Fête aims to both express its gratitude for 29 years of Franco-Filipino cultural relations and to contribute to furthering ocean conservation efforts.

“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,” shared Giselle Tomimbang, president of B-Side Productions, co-producer of Fête de la Musique.

Producers of Fete de la Musique Philippines 2023 with their partners from the Embassy of France in Manila, Sonik Philippines, Lamave, UNDP and ScarletBox

'Fete-stivities'

As always, MerSea Fête will showcase some of the country's best, freshest, and most diverse acts in the local music scene with a series of live celebrations nationwide.

The Main Stage for Fête de la Musique 2023 will be in Greenbelt, Makati on June 23 with performances by Blaster & the Celestial Klownz, Lola Amour, She's Only Sixteen, Cheats, Ena Mori, and Uncle Bob's Funky Seven Club. More surprises and performances shall be announced soon.

Flying in all the way from France, the jazz act Rémi Panossian Trio shall be gracing Fête de la Musique PH 2023. Composed of pianist Rémi Panossian, bassist Maxime Delporte, and drummer Frederic Petitprez, this ensemble has performed on prestigious stages and festivals in more than 500 cities and will perform on June 21 at the Long Bar at Raffles Makati, preceded by Happy Hour from 5 to 7 p.m., and on June 22 at the Alliance Française de Manille.

As part of Fête de la Musique's long-standing partnership with the Department of Tourism, this year's festivities will continue its #FeteFromMyIsland theme from its virtual edition in 2021. Joining forces once again with various organizations across the islands, MerSea Fête's Destination Stages will be in Albay, Baguio, Baler, Cebu, El Nido, Laguna, Pampanga, Palawan, Siargao, Tagaytay, and Zambales. With the exception of Siargao hosting its stage on June 21, all these destinations shall be celebrating on June 24.

As in years past, this 2023 edition of the most popular free music event in the Philippines will also feature 31 independently produced pocket stages in Metro Manila to simultaneously present a wide range of musical genres and vibes on June 17.

The participating venues include H&J Sports Bar & Restaurant, A'toda Madre, Mang Rudy's Tuna Grill And Papaitan, Social House, saGuijo Cafe, Alamat Filipino Cuisine, Boogie MNL, Enzo's View Bar at Jade Hotel and Suites Makati, Nokal, Kampai, The Spirits Library, Bourbon New Orleans PH, The Apartment, Sarisari Cocktails, Apotheka, Ugly Duck, Justin Alonte Studio, White Banana, Bagnet 8065, Kuya Boby's Restobar, Seltsam, Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge, La Colina, Coyote Ribs & BBQ, Dear Adam Sweet Lucy, Kosumosu PH, Commune, Balcony Music House, Futur:st and Keepers Poblacion.

Further boosting its 2023 programs and lineup of activities, #FetePH also collaborates with Sonik Philippines with the support of the Institut Français and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. This collaboration will birth the first-ever Sonik Sessions Fete: Music Export France, a conference happening on June 16, which seeks to educate both the business and artist sides of our music eco-system to elevate the entire industry, creating the future of Philippine Music.

‘Secret Spot’ by Perry Ventura. Around 1,000 NFT art pieces by 10 renowned photographers will be for sale to support the ocean conservation efforts.

NFT art drop fundraiser, UNDP partnership

This year, Fête de la Musique has also partnered with ScarletBox.io, the first blue-chip NFT launch pad for a fundraising campaign for the Philippine seas.

This collaboration features 1,000 NFT art pieces by 10 renowned photographers based across the archipelago from La Union to Palawan to Siargao. Namely these visual storytellers are Chino Neri, Mike Eijansantos, Lancer Salva, Camille Robiou du Pont, Terence Ver Angsioco, Kat Jack, A Decade, Ganden Medved Po, ADAM , and Archie Geotina.

Part of the proceeds from this NFT collaboration will support the ocean conservation efforts of Lamave (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines), a Filipino non-government organization dedicated to the conservation of marine megafauna. Sale starts on June 19 at www.scarletbox.io.

Lastly, the music event will also serve as the launch pad for various activities under its partnership with the United Nations Development Program Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the 2023 Environment Month celebrations.