Now on its 26th year, the festival will have the theme, “Reflections” to take stock of its humble beginnings in 1998. Photo credit: Courtesy of the Sarawak Tourism Board
The iconic Rainforest World Music Festival is returning on 23–25 June at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, with headliners that include international acts Gipsy Kings and Big Mountain and local performers headed by singer-songwriter, guitarist, and ukulele player Zee Avi.
Organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board, the music festival features a lineup of 199 musicians from 12 countries across four continents. The tourism board is targeting to attract 20,000 visitors for the festival.
The festival will be fully in-person this year after going virtual in 2021 and hybrid the following year because of the pandemic.
Now on its 26th year, the festival will have the theme, “Reflections” to take stock of its humble beginnings in 1998.
Performer lineup
The Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo popularized hits such as “Djobi Djoba” and “Bamboleo.” The Grammy Award-winning band blends traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythm. American–Jamaican reggae band Big Mountain, meanwhile, has hits that include its popular take of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”
Other performers include Safi Theatre from Tanzania, Rastak from Iran, Fasylive from Maldives, Afriquoi from the United Kingdom, Chatusram from India, Rizal Hadi & Folk from Indonesia, and Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band from Thailand. There will also be performers from Japan; Hong Kong, China; and Singapore.
Other local talents include Suk Binie, APU, Nadir, Steve Thornton and Afro Asia, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Berkocak, At Adau, Meruked, and Orang Orang Drum Theatre.
Festivalgoers playing the sape, Malaysia's traditional stringed instrument, during a workshop at last year's Rainforest World Music Festival. Photo credit: Courtesy of the Sarawak Tourism Board
Keystone festival
In a news release, Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the festival’s fame has grown over the years, noting it is now acknowledged as Sarawak’s keystone festival and has become one of the world’s most sustainable, eco-friendly festivals.
In previous festivals, the Sarawak Tourism Board had banned single-use plastics at the event and encouraged upcycling of used materials. It also provided shuttle buses to ferry festivalgoers to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. The organizers also advocated for energy conservation, environmental education, and other greening initiatives.
In the event’s launch, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said, "While the international performers are undoubtedly the highlight of the event, we must also acknowledge the exceptional local performers and bands who have thrived as a result of RWMF [Rainforest World Music Festival] over the years. They are a testament to the transformative power of music and culture in creating positive impacts on our communities.”
The minister also urged support for local musical talents who will perform at the festival.
The minister recalled that the festival’s first concert in 1998 attracted only 300 spectators. Now, the event is considered Sarawak’s “star festival” and one of the 25 best international festivals. The tourism board said this positions the Malaysian state as a regional hub for music tourism and performing arts.
Sharzede added, “We look forward to reflecting on the next 25 years as we move towards making the RWMF a platform for Sarawak to push on sustainability and ecotourism for the next generation of music lovers.”
Tickets are now on sale, with early-bird rates ranging between 190 ringgit ($43) and 220 ringgit for a day pass for adults, depending on the day. The 2-day pass for adults starts from 360 ringgit, while the 3-day pass starts at 480 ringgit. A day pass for children costs 80 ringgit.
To learn more, visit the Sarawak Tourism Board’s Rainforest World Music Festival website.