Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay ignites RWMF 2025 night two
Members of Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, the second-day headliner, performing at RWMF 2025 last night. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (June 22): Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and original Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) member Al McKay electrified the crowd last night as he led the Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, delivering a high-octane finale that lit up the second night of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2025.
The crowd was taken on a musical journey through some of EWF's biggest hits, dancing to classics like 'Serpentine Fire', 'Pride', and 'Got to Get You into My Life'.
More than just a tribute act, the band is a full-force funk and soul ensemble from the USA, channeling the iconic sound, energy, and joy that made Earth, Wind & Fire a global sensation.
Every performance burst with tight horn lines, soaring vocals, and high-energy grooves, capturing the true spirit of EWF.
The band's commitment to authenticity and showmanship made their RWMF set feel like stepping back in time, yet with all the excitement of a modern live show.
For festivalgoers, it wasn't just a concert; it was a celebration of timeless music, brought to life beneath the starlit rainforest sky.
The second night concert of RWMF 2025 began with Naungan from Malaysia, an instrumental ensemble that blends ethnic instruments such as the 'sape', 'gu zheng', 'tabla', 'sitar', and 'rebana' into a harmonious and soul-stirring showcase of Malaysia's multicultural identity.
Then came Seppuku Pistols from Japan, who brought raw, thunderous energy to the stage. Dressed in traditional Edo-period attire, the ensemble used taiko drums and fue flutes to create a defiant, rebellious performance—part music, part protest, all impact.
Next, Hawaiian trio Kulāiwi offered an emotional and spiritual journey through mele (songs), oli (chants), and lush harmonies rooted in the philosophy of aloha ʻāina (love for the land). Their performance invited the audience into a space of cultural memory and connection.
Following that, Mathew Ngau Jau with Lan E Tuyang from Sarawak presented a stirring collaboration of indigenous music, dance, and storytelling. The group, made up of elders and youth from the Kenyah, Kayan, Iban, Lun Bawang, and Penan communities, delivered a heartfelt tribute to Sarawak's living heritage.
Later, Buddha Beat & Sinaran Collective from Malaysia took the stage with a boundary-breaking blend of bamboo flute, electronic beats, and ambient soundscapes. Their genre-bending performance reflected both innovation and spiritual depth.
Rob Ruha of New Zealand followed with his signature haka-soul sound, fusing Māori traditions with R&B and neo-soul. His deep vocals and storytelling brought powerful messages of ancestry, identity, and revival.
The rhythm continued with Kuntaw Mindanao from the Philippines, an ethno-rock band that combined tribal percussion, native chants, and modern genres to highlight the stories of Mindanao's indigenous peoples. Their performance was both a call to action and a celebration of cultural resilience.
Finally, the night peaked with Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, whose legendary sound and infectious energy turned the festival grounds into a massive dance floor. It was a finale filled with joy, rhythm, and nostalgia.
Meanwhile, the finale of RWMF 2025 tonight promises another thrilling evening of music and cultural celebration.
The lineup will consist of Buddha Beat ft Sinaran Collective from Malaysia, Kancet Ajai Warrior Dance (Sarawak), Manhu (China), Tal Fry (India), Buloh Berkocak (Sarawak), La Chiva Gantiva (Colombia & Belgium), and N'Famady Kouyaté (Guinea & UK).
Capping off the night is At Adau, the highly anticipated final headliner from Sarawak, known for blending traditional Bornean sounds with contemporary energy. Al McKay earth Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 Wind & Fire Experience
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