Latest news with #Wind&FireExperience
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
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
Borneo Post
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
RWMF 2025 kicks off tomorrow with global line-up, green mission
Members of the local media fraternity pose for a group photo during a walkabout at the Sarawak Cultural Village to observe ongoing preparations for RWMF 2025. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 19): The highly anticipated Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 is set to kick off tomorrow, promising an immersive celebration of musical diversity from around the globe. Final preparations are underway at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), where organisers, vendors, and volunteers are putting the finishing touches ahead of the festival's 28th edition, taking place from June 20 to 22. The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), organiser of the event, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for festivalgoers. Its team, alongside volunteers and vendors, has been working tirelessly on-site to ready the facilities and logistics for the thousands expected to attend. A visit by The Borneo Post to SCV today observed workers setting up food and merchandise booths, finalising the main stage structure, and marking out visitor pathways around the festival grounds. Technical crews were also seen testing audio and lighting systems in preparation for tomorrow's opening performances. Meruked rehearsing in high spirits as they prepare to showcase their talent to the world. – Photo by Roystein Emmor This year's edition will feature over 170 musicians from 20 countries, showcasing a wide range of world music genres. Headlining the festival is the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, set to electrify the main stage. Other international performers include Seppuku Pistols from Japan, Rob Ruha from New Zealand, The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band from Thailand, and the Siberian-Russian group Otyken, known for their powerful fusion of traditional ethnic sounds. Local acts will also take centre stage, including Sarawak-based groups At Adau, Meruked, and Buluh Berkocak, who will present their own renditions of traditional Bornean music in contemporary arrangements. In line with its sustainability goals, the festival has announced that plastic beverage bottles will not be allowed within the grounds – part of a broader effort to reduce single-use plastics and promote environmental responsibility. RWMF 2025 is expected to draw thousands of music lovers to the foot of Mount Santubong for three days of performances, cultural exchange, and eco-conscious celebration. Technicians doing some final touches to the main stage. – Photo by Roystein Emmor Rainforest World Music Festival rwmf SCV
