Celebrating the diversity of world music by bringing together renowned world musicians from all continents to perform against Kuching’s tranquil rainforest, the Rainforest World Music Festival is a unique three-day music festival that music lovers should definitely mark their calendars for.
The festival features a wide range of performances from traditional music, to world fusion, and contemporary world music. A culmination of ethnic and folk acts from all around the world, this is one festival that aims to appeal to both lovers of music and culture vultures.
This year’s event—happening from 12 to 14 July 2019—takes place at the Sarawak Cultural Village. Here’s what you can look forward to.
Event Happenings
Live stage performances typically kick-off in the late afternoon all the way until midnight but during the day, there are many activities and workshops to immerse yourself in. Visitors can look forward to a series of music workshops, cultural and craft displays and food stalls.
There is a food village based at the Cultural Village itself, offering an eclectic mix of western and local delicacies. Scattered around the event, you’ll find many stalls selling traditional handicrafts from practical artefacts such as bags to decorative knick-knacks.
Music, Dance & Cultural Workshops
As you wander around the festival venue, you’ll come across a variety of interactive workshops showcasing the different performers, their unique craft and their instruments. There are instrumental workshops, dance workshops and even singing workshops.
Night Performances
Once the sun sets, the main-stage illuminates, boasting a stellar repertoire of live performances by a host of brilliant musicians, each bringing to the fore, a piece of their heritage and culture.
We’re talking Mongolian throat singers, Gregorian folk music and instrumental acts composed of instruments we’ve never even heard of before. If you like what you hear, CDs of each performing act will also be sold at the venue itself.
On top of individual performances, artists will also come together to make music together. Completely unrehearsed, the different acts come together for a mass freestyling session, be it with their own instruments or with their own voice, creating beautiful music that melds together not just different sounds but different cultures as well.
Tickets to Rainforest World Music Festival
Tickets are much cheaper if you purchase them in advance. If you’re travelling alone or with friends, tickets cost RM140 (S$45) for a 1-Day Pass and RM345 (S$113) for a 3-Day Pass.
Purchase your tickets here.
Getting There
The festival village (Sarawak Cultural Village) is a 45-minute drive away from the city area of Kuching. If you, however, would rather save a little money, you can consider taking a shuttle bus service between the Cultural Village and Kuching. It departs hourly and will continue to do so for the whole day.
When: 12, 13 & 14 July 2019 (9AM to 12:30AM)
Where: Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai Beach Resort, 93762, Kampung Budaya Sarawak, 93010 Kuching, Sarawak
More Information:
Rainforest World Music Festival Official Website
All photos are credited to Rainforest World Music Festival.
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