THE iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 is making its comeback from June 23 to 25, returning to a physical format after a hybrid presentation last year.
The annual festival organised by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will see musicians and fans of world music congregating for three days at Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, a 17-acre site located near Damai Beach.
The festival’s line-up will feature a total of 199 musicians from 12 countries, across more than 4 continents performing a diverse range of music genres. Grammy Award winners, the Gipsy Kings, featuring Tonino Baliardo from France, is set to headline the festival.
Other international performers include Big Mountain from Jamaica/USA, 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 Fusions Sound Band from Thailand. The line-up will also include acts from Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Major local musical talents who will perform at RWMF2023 include Zee Avi, Suk Binie, APU, Nadir, Steve Thornton Band, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Berkocak, At Adau, Meruked and Orang Orang Drum.
Speaking at the launch of the 26th RWMF, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri 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 over the years. They are a testament to the transformative power of music and culture in creating positive impacts on our communities.”
Sharing the theme of this year’s festival, ‘REFLECTIONS,’ the Minister invited the audience to reflect on the humble beginnings of RWMF, which had just 300 spectators during its first-ever concert back in 1998. The event has now grown to be a major event.
STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor shared, “Reflecting on the course of events 26 years ago, I am glad that STB had undertaken the task and am proud to witness and be part of the growth of RWMF – from its humble beginnings, to being recognised as a music festival of international stature.
"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.”
Targeting more than 20,000 visitors for RWMF 2023, Sharzede added that the RWMF’s international recognition had expanded from an acclaimed world music platform to being acknowledged as Sarawak’s keystone festival.
Proactive measures are being taken by Sarawak towards creating and implementing a sustainable, eco-friendly festival in previous editions of the festival.
Together with the state’s tourism partners, for the RWMF, STB had previously embarked on activities which included banning of single-use plastics, encouraging upcycling used materials, exploring innovative solutions to waste management, and even providing shuttle buses to ferry festivalgoers to alleviate carbon emission and energy conservation.
Ticket sales will open on April 15, and range from RM190 to RM650. For more details, visit: https://rwmf.net/ – The Vibes, April 7, 2023
