A marriage of local music and domestic destinations
Fête de la Musique, also known in English as “Music Day,” is an annual French tradition, which later on become an international phenomenon. Every June 21, citizens of a city or a country are permitted and encouraged to play music outside of their houses, neighborhoods, and even public parks—often celebrated with street parties.
Considering the pickle that we’re in, this year’s festivities will be held on a different scale: As an online nationwide musical journey from June 18 to 21, 2021. To exhibit the natural beauty and rich culture of the Philippines, #FeteFromMyIsland will not only celebrate various artists of different genres but also some of our country’s most popular destinations—Boracay, El Nido, La Union, and Metro Manila.
This free-for-all event is presented by Alliance Française de Manille together with B-Side Productions and the Embassy of France to the Philippines, co-organized with the Department of Tourism (DOT), which is a long-time partner of Fête PH in promoting and supporting original Pilipino music (OPM) and local Filipino artists.
“With the health crisis affecting the Philippines for more than a year now, Fête de la Musique still endeavors to stay connected with our audience who has been celebrating music with us every year. Together with the Department of Tourism, we will give them great music as we also celebrate the talents and the beauty of the different corners of this amazing country,” says Jean-Pierre Dumont, executive director of Alliance Française de Manille.
In addition, Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat says, “We are truly happy and excited to be able to host the Fête de la Musique once again. As the world knows, music is a huge part of Filipino culture, and we can never pass up any opportunity to celebrate through song. Even though there are still community quarantines in the country, this online music festival allows people to ‘travel’ and revel in the wonders of the Philippines through the incomparable musical talents of Filipinos,”
Before the big virtual event of June 21, 2021, Fête de la Musique will showcase OPM legends and up-and-coming artists from the three main island groups of the Philippines.
The online musical journey will kick-off on June 18, 2021 with a Luzon pocket stage presenting performances by Pedicab, Radha, Parallel Uno, Celeste Legaspi, Maegan Aguilar, Zsaris, 10 a.m. Departure, Buwi, and Kayden Umali.
On June 19, talents from the Visayas will take centerstage with exciting performances by Kate Torralba, Project Yazz, Vanessa Monot, doods, soundslikefiona, Vanya, and Dumaguete Trio.
On June 20, the spotlight will pan to Mindanao with music from homegrown talents including KRNA, Moro Beats, Conscious & The Goodness, Joee & I, Levi, and Manic Mundane.
Then, on June 21, the Philippines will join the rest of the world in celebrating music with four main stages in Metro Manila, Boracay, El Nido, and La Union.
The Metro Manila stage will feature music by Barbie Almalbis, Joey Ayala, Bayang Barrios, Curtismith, and Leanne & Narra. They will also be joined by Jason Dhakal, The Hernandez Brothers x Lustbass, and Fatima Loo.
For the Boracay stage, there will be performances by I-Dren Artstrong, Trespeace, Mami Beth & Sajid Perez Pelayo. The El Nido stage will highlight music by Jako Mandala, Eric Tarre, Robin, Mike & The Wolf, Bathala Na Groove and Jams with Dona & David, and Jewelmer Jazz Band. Lastly, Manskee, Roe Santos, and Jose x Gats Talamak will take over the La Union stage.
As a part of the Fête de la Musique tradition in the PH, two foreign acts will play alongside Filipino musicians. For this year, multi-awarded and chart-topping singer, composer, and actor Raphaël, who is known for his emotive and artful contemporary pop, will be one of the highlights of the June 21 Main Stage. He has performed and collaborated with icons such as David Bowie, Vanessa Paradis, and Tony Visconti to name a few. Also performing on that date is Swiss Jazz band, B Connected.
In line with its vision of helping through music, Fête de la Musique 2021 will also feature a donation drive in support of Bayanihan Musikahan. The funds to be raised will be used to address a vulnerable sector of our society who has been seriously affected by the pandemic.
There will also be a Facebook photo contest supported by AirSwift. Details to be announced on the Fete de la Musique PH socials.
To know more about this year’s celebration and the line-up of activities and musical performances, follow www.facebook.com/FetePH and @fetedelamusiqueph on Instagram. And to discover why it’s more fun in the Philippines, visit www.philippines.travel.
Fête de la Musique Philippines 2021 is also in partnership with Foodpanda, the National Parks Development Committee, the Swiss Embassy to the Philippines, Ayala Land Inc. and official international media partner TV5 Monde.