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The Star
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Rainforest World Music Festival: The sound of sustainability
IN the noughties, Womad Singapore at Fort Canning Park was the place to be for any ardent world music fan in the region. The World of Music Arts and Dance – incepted by former frontman of legendary rock band Genesis turned world music aficionado Peter Gabriel – was then the ultimate music festival with its eclectic sounds and frenetic vibes. The mesh of contemporary and traditional tunes from different corners of the globe drew our cultured and the wannabes for a seminal experience. For many others, it was just an excellent excuse to party. Today, however, Womad's place here has been supplanted by Sarawak's Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and superbly so! The annual RWMF has something that Womad and the republic never had – the Borneo spirit. Celebration of diversity Sure, Womad Singapore drew its curtains in 2008 due to reasons beyond its control, but what many music lovers perhaps don't realise is that both world music festivals started in our corner circa 1998. While the comparison may be unfair – where else can you find lush jungles and authentic cultural heritage like Sarawak's – it's a useful reminder to us all as Singapore tries to position itself as the concert capital of Asia: you need more than capital to be cool. The sustainability of RWMF (pun intended) is also very much part and parcel of the state's cultural heritage growth and sustainable tourism policy. But first, back to the party. Returning for the 28th time with a roar, RWMF 2025 rocked the Sarawak Cultural Village at Pantai Damai Santubong in the outskirts of Kuching for three days, from June 20 to June 22, with its infectious blend of big beats and traditional arts. On the first night, festival goers were thrilled by some traditional throat singing and elemental vocals from Otyken, a folk music group from Siberia, Russia. Otyken thrilling the crowd with their traditional throat singing. The otherworldly renditions were powered by even more surreal but electrifying music played on a range of contemporary and traditional instruments including giant leather drums; a jaw harp; a traditional Siberian lyre called khomys; and an electric base guitar made of (what must be giant) mushrooms. What raptured the revellers most was the Morinhur, a gigantic traditional horse-head fiddle, played by a young female musician who leapt and headbanged as she fiddled on stage. Otyken's horse head-fiddler, Kys, really raptured the crowd with her showmanship. The second night was more of a 'chill time' as the soothing ukulele strums, mele (traditional ditties) and the hula dances of Hawaii's Kulaiwi, followed by the dulcet tones of Maori musician Rob Ruha, set the stage for the smooth, groovy sway of Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al Mckay. The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al Mckay with their smooth, groovy sway. Those looking for a more pulsating time were not left disappointed though as they were blasted with the thundering beats of taiko drums played by explosive 'Édo' ensemble Sepukku Pistols from Japan, and the fierce and fiery performance by ethnic-rock band Kuntaw Mindanao from the Philippines. Sepukku Pistols interactive pulsating performance. The genre-defying Kuntaw Mindanao with their fusion of rocky strains, ancestral melodies and native chants of indigenous resistance, survival and identity really wowed me, haunting me even as the sounds of the night faded. The fiery singer of Kuntaw Mindanao, Dorothy Blez Bano with her song of resistance. The final night was all about the home favourites, At Adau. Their name is supposedly evocative of an awakening spirit, and it was immediately clear why as they revved up the crowd with their vibrant interplay of tribal rhythms, contemporary arrangements and the soulful Sape, a traditional lute of the Orang Ulu of Sarawak. A sape player from the homegrown favourites At Adau. It is not possible to list all the diverse international and local acts that lit up the rainforest stage that weekend – and many were definitely not household names – but their love, passion and artistry showed through with every rhythm and movement. In return, the festival goers gave back the love – screaming their names and crying out for more – befitting the fest's theme 'Connections: One Earth, One Love'. As one pumped up reveller shouted,' I don't know what they are saying, but I love them!' Another, a first timer who only wanted to be known as Mira, raved: 'I'm so glad I finally made it here. It's given me a broader perspective on music in the world. 'The RWMF is really an exciting platform where people can come without prejudice to listen to great music and dance and experience new cultures. I'm definitely going to come back next year.' Of course, there were many loyal RWMF returnees, some who brought along not just their friends and partners, but also children and grandchildren. As they said, it's 'our beautiful legacy.' Love and connections. More than the music For the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the agency behind the music festival, building on the RWMF legacy means 'offering an immersive journey' through cultural workshops and showcases, not only of global cultures but also the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak. True, there was something for everyone throughout the fest: you could learn the hula, strum the sape, beat the traditional drums – take your pick from which country and community, learn a traditional Sarawakian game, get a traditional tattoo and taste some traditional cuisine. Traditional Sarawak art workshop. A festival goer trying out the traditional gamelan. You can also get a traditional tattoo at thefest. And if you are not too tired from the fun of the night before, you can meet the artistes again at the various casual mini showcases, musical workshops and spontaneous jam sessions around the village. A fan even tried to bring down the Iban Long House with the Morinhur at an Otyken workshop! Another initiative by the STB to evolve RWMF is the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS), which brought together youth leaders from across the region for sustainability workshops, cultural dialogues and creative exchanges. As STB CEO Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor put it, RAYS aims to foster continuity between young voices on sustainability and global indigenous rhythms – a 'powerful connection that defines the festival's spirit'. RAYS 2025 brought together youth leaders from across the region for sustainability workshops, cultural dialogues and creative exchanges. 'Obviously, one of my tasks when I joined STB in 2018 was to make sure we sustain RWMF, so the first focus is to ensure that we evolve the fest. We need to bring in new blood because all the patrons are getting older, right? "That is why we started RAYS last year. We need to bring in young blood and new fans, so that they become the group that will follow this through for the next 50 years.' The young are also passionate about the environment and the earth's sustainability, which is also the spirit of RWMF, she added. 'I believe that the youth must have a voice and Sarawak, I feel, needs to have that voice too, you know, and be heard, be seen, especially when it comes to indigenous issues. So, we said, let's have an event offshoot of RWMF, but related to it, which is youth-led and has indigenous content.' Sharzede: 'Youth must have a voice and Sarawak, I feel, needs to have that voice too, you know, and be heard, be seen, especially when it comes to indigenous issues.' Another sustainability initiative is the eco-friendly practices promoted at the music festival. Building on its previous achievements, the festival reaffirmed its commitment to planting 10,000 trees by 2027, with a portion of every ticket going towards reforestation programmes, said Sharzede. Single-use plastics are banned on-site, and visitors are encouraged to refill, reuse, and recycle through clearly marked eco stations and water stations. Visitors are encouraged to refill, reuse, and recycle through clearly marked eco stations and water stations. Being green and sustainable is an honourable aim but STB needs to be careful to ensure that it extends beyond lip service. For one, while bottled drinks are banned, many vendors were still giving out single-use plastic bags and utensils. Noting this, STB shared that it had encouraged all food and beverage vendors to adopt biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives as part of the state's green initiatives for RWMF 2025. 'To support this transition, we provided vendors with access to suppliers offering certified biodegradable packaging at discounted rates. 'We are proud to share that more than 75% of our vendors responded positively to this initiative, demonstrating a strong collective will to reduce plastic usage and minimise environmental harm. However, we acknowledge that a small percentage of vendors still resorted to conventional plastic packaging, despite the support and resources provided.' Taking this shortfall seriously, STB vowed to continue to invest in consistent vendor education on sustainable practices, responsible waste management, and the long-term benefits of adopting green solutions not just for the environment, but for the overall quality and reputation of the festival. 'Looking ahead, STB is actively exploring the introduction of a mandatory policy that will require 100% use of biodegradable and sustainable packaging for all vendors participating in future editions of RWMF. This policy will be supported by clear guidelines, supplier access, and stricter enforcement to ensure full compliance,' STB said in a statement. Sharzede stressed that STB and the state are committed to continuously improve the festival's environmental impact. 'We remain firm in our mission to make RWMF not only a celebration of music and culture but also a model of environmentally responsible event in the region. Our commitment is clear, to elevate RWMF as a benchmark for sustainable festivals in Asia and beyond.' But sustainability is not a one-time effort, it's a continuous journey, she noted. 'With RWMF, we strive to lead by example in embedding green values into large-scale event management. 'We hope, supported by our dedicated sponsors and partners, the RWMF will continue to unite music lovers, environmental advocates, and changemakers in a shared mission of connection, conservation, and celebration.'
Sinar Daily
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Rainforest World Music Festival 2025: Connected with earth and love
When You Want More Than Just Loud Beats Let's be honest - if you've ever felt out of place at festivals like Coachella, you're not alone. Maybe the music sounds more like noise than soul. Maybe you're craving something... more. Something rooted. Something spiritual. Something that gives you goosebumps - not because the bass dropped, but because you felt the Earth respond. That's exactly what I found at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, Sarawak - a three-day celebration of global rhythms, sacred forests, and soulful connections. Immersed in Nature and Craft The first thing you'll notice is the location - this isn't your usual open-field fest. Tucked within the lush Sarawak Cultural Village, with Mount Santubong towering above and ancient rainforest all around, it feels like stepping into a living, breathing spirit world. And the marketplace? Oh, it's not just shopping - it's a cultural exchange. Tents lined the village walkways, each bursting with handmade goods from across Borneo and beyond. Think Indigenous beadwork, hand-forged bronze and copper jewellery, and natural beauty products featuring local stars like Sarawak's iconic black pepper. One of my favourite finds? A healing tea made from midin leaves, a wild fern beloved in local cuisine. And I couldn't resist grabbing an arm band from Peru - because yes, this festival attracts creators from around the globe. A Culinary Love Letter to Sarawak Let's talk food—because Rainforest Fest takes feasting seriously. There was ayam pansuh, a traditional Bidayuh dish where chicken is cooked inside bamboo, infusing it with earthy, smoky flavour. Next up? Itun sip, a lesser-known but deeply loved leaf used to wrap rice, similar to banana leaf but uniquely Sarawakian. Now, the desserts. Oh, the desserts. Ever tasted gelato made with Dabai nuts? You can only find them in this part of the world, and they deliver this rich, buttery flavour that lingers like a dream. Then came the pineapple black pepper sorbet—a sweet, spicy, and tangy burst of sunshine in a cup. On a sweltering afternoon, it was pure tropical alchemy. Rhythms That Reach the Soul By nightfall, the jungle lit up—both literally and emotionally. The music that fills this festival isn't your standard setlist. It's ancestral, global, and deeply transformational. Picture this: tribal chants blending with modern synths, bamboo flutes harmonising with electric guitars, yodelling echoing into the night sky. Every beat felt like it came from the earth itself. The crowd? Uninhibited. Joyful. Grounded. People weren't dancing for show—they were moving as if something ancient was waking up inside them. For me, the standout performance came from Otyken, a folk-pop group from Siberia. Their mix of shamanic vocals, tribal drums, and mesmerising visuals made it feel like the forest itself was performing with them. This year's theme, 'Connections: One Earth, One Love,' wasn't just a slogan—it was the essence of every performance, every conversation, every shared meal under the stars. Why You Need to Be Here in 2026 I came to Kuching curious. I left transformed. The Rainforest World Music Festival isn't just about music. It's about reconnecting—with nature, with culture, and with yourself. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, this festival is a sacred pause. Next year will bring new bands, new experiences, and more stories waiting to be told under the rainforest canopy. So if you're craving more than just another party, if you're yearning to feel the earth through rhythm, to be part of something bigger, older, and beautifully alive.. make your way to Sarawak. Disconnect to reconnect.
