By Natasha Jee & Alexandra Lorna
KUCHING: Hundreds of jazz fans flocked to the first night of the Kuching Jazz Festival 2022 which took place at the open-air space in Grand Margherita Hotel last night.
Festival-goers were seen arriving as early as 5pm at the venue before the event kicked off at around 7pm.
Ta’Dan, a fusion duo of Miri was the opening act for the night, followed by a performance by Hendri Rotinsulu with Jazmint Band from Indonesia.
The event then continued with performances by Malaysia’s popular jazz singer, Noryn Aziz and the Freyja Garbett Quartet of Australia.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman were among the VIPs joining the crowd and enjoying the performances.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s indie folk singer-songwriter Viphurit Siritip or known by his nickname, Phum, was the headliner for the night.
The 27-year-old, who achieved international fame in 2018 for his single ‘Lover Boy’, got the crowd cheering and dancing to his performance.
Phum was joined by his band members – with Paothong Saicheur on the guitar, Tanapon Santiwattana on the bass, Watchakorn Chalermyart on the drums, and Natdanai Alaisuk on the keys.
A total of 10 songs were performed by Phum. Starting with the first song, Paper Throne, to the last song, Adore, there was never a moment during Phum’s performance where fans stopped jumping and dancing to the beat.
Among the songs performed includes his famous hit Lover Boy, Hello Anxiety, and Phum’s new single, Temple Fair.
The first night of the event concluded with a finale that saw all bands, singers and including the festival artistic director Nisa Addina jazzing up to Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog hit.
The two-day festival is organised by Hemisphere Corporation Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), with Place Borneo Sdn Bhd as the event management company.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Afgan will headline tonight’s festival. Other performers include Kuching homeboy Ky Den, Ushera from Malaysia, Leon Sapphire (Malaysia), as well as Dawn Wong and The Arkroyal (Singapore).
