Arivu To Represent India At AXEAN Festival 2026 After Winning TuneCore India Showcase Contest

TuneCore India has announced acclaimed Tamil rapper, songwriter and composer Arivu as the winner of the TuneCore India AXEAN Festival 2026 Showcase Contest, following a nationwide search for independent talent. As part of the opportunity, Arivu will represent India at AXEAN Festival 2026 in Bali, Indonesia, where he will perform alongside some of Southeast Asia's leading independent artists.

The initiative is part of TuneCore India's ongoing efforts to create international opportunities for independent musicians and expand the global reach of Indian music.

Recognised for his socially conscious lyricism and compelling storytelling, Arivu has emerged as one of India's most influential independent artists. His work explores themes of identity, language and community while amplifying voices and narratives often overlooked in mainstream music. His repertoire includes the viral anthem Enjoy Enjaami as well as popular film tracks such as Vaathi Raid, Neeye Oli, Single Pasanga, Golden Sparrow, and Thalapathy Kacheri.

Expressing his excitement about the opportunity, Arivu said, "It's a great pleasure to perform at AXEAN Festival with TuneCore alongside artists from across the world. It's an interesting experiment for me, observing how an audience unfamiliar with my language receives my sound. I'm just as excited to hear what artists from other parts of the world have to offer."

TuneCore has partnered with AXEAN Festival since 2021 to support independent artists across Southeast Asia. The 2026 edition marks the first time India has joined the partnership, with Arivu representing the country's independent music scene alongside TuneCore artists from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The collaboration underscores TuneCore's vision of strengthening connections within Asia's independent music ecosystem while helping artists build audiences beyond their home markets.