KUCHING: The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) came to a heart-stopping close on the final night with headliners Big Mountain getting everyone up on their feet.
The night began with Suk Binie from Sarawak, a blend of music from the traditional ethnic groups like the Bidayuh, Iban and Orang Ulu, followed by Tuku’ Kame also from Sarawak, showcasing a vibrant fusion of traditional musical instruments and contemporary sounds which had festival-goers dancing.
The crowd were then entertained by Geng Wak Long, from Kelantan, performing a contemporary traditional blend of music, followed by Afriquoi which introduced African music with a mixture of electronic elements and unique African beats.
As the night wore on, the familiar Meruked got the crowd grooving to melodies from the traditional sape instrument, showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural music.
Safi Theatre then took the stage for their improvised traditional ngoma music (drumming and dance), blending their unique and lively shows with acrobatics in order to create an exciting mix of traditional Tanzanian music.
The band’s engaging and explosive performance kept the audience on their feet throughout the night.
Rizal Hadi and Folk from Indonesia performed a unique blend of folk combining ballads, rock, reggae and blues with electric ethnic rhythms.
Big Mountain, the international reggae band thereafter sent positive energy to the audience with their popular hit ‘Baby, I Love Your Way’ which triggered a sense of nostalgia for those who grew up with their music.
A volunteer at the festival, Irfan Nasrullah, 23, said the last day’s performances were very lively and entertaining.
“Big Mountain and Meruked were the performances which I looked forward to the most tonight and they did not disappoint. It was very fun.
“As a volunteer, it was very tiring but it was worthwhile. It was an incredible experience for me at the Rainforest World Music Festival,” he said.
Festival goer, Ennette Faith, 24, said this was her first time attending the music festival and she was amazed by the various art, culture and music from over the world.
“There was always something for everyone, most importantly I felt safe throughout the festival and everyone was friendly and simply had a good time.
“I mostly enjoyed performances from Meruked and Geng Wak Long. It’s always good seeing local bands performing on such a big stage,” she said.
She said it was also her first time watching a ‘Dikir Barat’ performance live with her friends, which she described as an enjoyable performance.
