Duo Leanne & Naara light up Fête de la Musique’s main stage

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Indie pop duo Leanne & Naara took the spotlight at the Fête de la Musique Philippines 2025 Main Stage, performing to a record-breaking crowd of over 14,500 at Ayala Triangle Gardens on June 21. 

But beyond the music, the performance marked a rare collaboration between the beloved duo and the dynamic jazz-funk collective Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas.

“It’s very special for us. Although we’ve done Fête sets before, this is only our second time collaborating with Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas for a longer set — and this time, it’s for the Main Stage. We’re very excited,” Leanne Mamonong, half of the celebrated duo, said in an interview with The Manila Times.

Indie pop act Leanne & Naara PHOTO FROM INSTAGRAM/LEANNEANDNAARA

Naara Acueza added, “We’ve played together before during their anniversary, and also for Fête, but it was on a different stage two years ago. This one feels bigger — more electric.”

Their joint set blended Leanne & Naara’s signature soul-pop originals with the brass-heavy, genre-bending energy of Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas. The result is rich, reimagined sound that brought fresh life to their catalog.

“Very brassified. It’s exciting — a different kind of attack. And We’re such big fans of the band. So it really is a dream to be on stage with them,” Acueza enthused.

Entering their ninth year as a duo in 2026, Leanne & Naara reflected on their musical journey.

“We’ve tried so many different sounds, but we’ve always come home to what we think is our original sound. It’s an exploration — always evol­ving,” said Mamonong.

Acueza seconded, “We don’t box ourselves into one genre. The exploration never stops.”

They also teased a new single dropping in July. 

“We can’t reveal the title yet, but it’s a coming-of-age track. I wrote it myself,” said Mamonong, who is set to star in the upcoming sapphic Cinemalaya film “Open Endings” together with Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Klea Pineda come October.

Leanne & Naara together with the quirkily named jazz-funk collective Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas. PHOTO FROM JOSEPH TUAZON OF SEFUTOGRAPHY VIA FÊTEPH2025

Leanne & Naara’s set was just one highlight in an unforgettable evening. Fête de la Musique Philippines 2025 broke attendance records, drawing 14,527 music fans to Ayala Triangle — far beyond the modest 40 attendees of its first edition in 1994.

“This is our biggest crowd ever. It’s profoundly moving to witness the power of music in uniting communities,” said Xavier Leroux, Executive Director of Alliance Française de Manille in a statement. 

Themed “Un Monde” (One World), the event brought together a dazzling lineup of local legends and international acts. Kicking off the Main Stage was percussion ensemble Brigada, followed by rising star Janine and indie-rock favorites The Ridleys. The downpour didn’t dampen spirits as fans danced in the rain.

International guests Ito Kashitaro from Japan and France’s Emile Londonien added global flair, while local heavyweights like Tarsius x Ena Mori, Armi Millare, and James Reid kept the momentum high. The night ended on an electrifying note with Ely Buendia and The Methodists closing out the celebration.

The party’s not over as FêtePH2025 rolls on with Pocket Stages on June 27, and Destination Stages nationwide on June 28.

In Poblacion, Makati, the festivities coincide with the local fiesta, transforming the district into a multi-genre, multi-stage celebration. Expect performances from crowd favorites like Autotelic, Suyen, Pedicab, barb., Any Name’s Okay, and of course, Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas. Emerging artists like Shanne Dandan, Frank Ely, and Janine will also grace the stages.

Other Pocket Stages across the metro include the Orion x Comuna Stage, Emo Stage, DreamPop Shoegaze Stage, and Bandang 90s Stage, among others.

On June 28, the spotlight shifts to 30 Destination Stages across the Philippines, from Cebu and Davao to smaller communities. Over 2,500 artists will perform, making this the most expansive Fête celebration yet.

As Leanne & Naara put it best, “Fête has always been a gift — it’s free, and it brings everyone together to celebrate music.”