Friday, March 22, 2024
The Sarawak Tourism Board is thrilled to announce the launch of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2024, celebrating its 27th year under the theme ‘Evolution’. This year’s edition promises a redefined festival experience, blending music with responsible tourism, cultural festivities, and a commitment to environmental care.
Featuring an impressive lineup, the festival will showcase 20 acts with 68 international musicians from 14 countries across 6 continents, alongside 63 Malaysian artists. This diverse mix of talent will offer a unique musical fusion, highlighting Sarawak’s rich global musical heritage. Collectively, these artists reach an audience of 12 million fans globally, through platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
A major highlight of the event is the debut appearance of Grammy and Golden Globe winner Kitaro from Japan. Known for his innovative electronic and instrumental music, Kitaro’s performance promises to captivate attendees with his unique tunes, offering an unparalleled musical journey. Kitaro won a Grammy in 2001 for Best New Age Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.
Joining the headliners is Dato’ Zainalabidin from West Malaysia, renowned for his hit ‘Hijau’ and his contributions to the World Music genre in Malaysia. With accolades including the Millennium Gold Award and Best Male Vocal at the Music Industry Award (AIM), his participation adds to the festival’s diverse appeal.
Representing East Malaysia, Belle Sisoski from Sarawak is known for her advocacy in indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and musical preservation. At just 18 years old, she has already made a significant impact, finishing second in the 2022/2023 Commonwealth Song Contest with her song “Stop Your Games”. Sisoski plays a vital role in introducing Sarawak’s traditional music to a younger audience, enriching the festival’s cultural offerings.
The RWMF 2024 lineup also features a host of international artists such as Alright Mela Meets Santoo from Pakistan and France, Bourbon Lassi from Australia and Malaysia, Imarhan from Algeria and France, Krakatau Ethno from Indonesia, Nini from Taiwan and the USA, along with Indonesia’s Rizal Hadi and Folk, Rhythm Rebels Featuring Selonding Bali Aga, and Singapore’s Tribal Tide. Additionally, the festival will showcase Malaysian talents including The Borneo Collective, Adrian G, Alena Murang, Nisa Addina, Salammusik, The Colour of Sound’s Malaysia, Tuni Sundatang, and Zarul @OurBodySound, offering a mix of performances from both East and West Malaysia.
A standout moment of the festival will be the premiere of ‘Soul of Sarawak’ by The Borneo Collective, representing a historic musical collaboration at RWMF 2024. This performance will feature Sarawak’s renowned traditional instrument experts, accompanied by a band of top-tier Malaysian musicians, including Matthew Ngau, a Living National Heritage, Jerry Kamit from Tuku Kame, Joe Gendang, and Ezra Tekola of At Adau.
YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing
Arts Sarawak shared “The Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 transcends its role as a mere
music festival; it embodies the theme of ‘EVOLUTION’, where sustainability, responsible tourism,
and cultural exchange blend in perfect harmony to converge. We anticipate to surpass RWMF2023
attendees for the entire festival weekend, creating a platform for key opinion leaders, environmental
advocates, and youth changemakers.”
The Minister added “Ticket options for RWMF 2024 cater to every enthusiast, from the coveted 3-
day pass priced at RM635 for adults, granting access to the entire weekend of festivities, to the 1-
day pass for adults offering early bird pricing at RM235, pre-sale at RM283, and door sale at
RM333. Children aged 3-12 can join in the excitement with a 1-day pass priced at RM 80, while
admission is free for children below 3 years old. Ticket sales will open on mid-April 2024 and
exciting giveaways await ticket purchasers in support of Sarawak tourism’s ongoing responsible
tourism and sustainability initiatives.”
In line with the ‘Evolution’ theme, RWMF 2024 is committed to advancing sustainability and responsible tourism. Through various initiatives focused on environmental conservation and promoting green practices, the festival aims to create a lasting, positive impact on the planet.
“The Rainforest World Music Festival has always been a beacon of cultural celebration, a vibrant
tapestry of diverse musical traditions and a champion for the indigenous voice of the world. In this
27th edition, we are taking an important step forward. With the Evolution of RWMF, we are
transforming the festival into a dynamic platform that advocates sustainable practices in tourism
and conservation, paving the way for the next 25 years of this festival”, emphasised Sharzede Datu
Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board.
In 2024, the Rainforest World Music Festival will honor the transformative influence of musical innovation, the richness of diverse cultures uniting, and the profound wisdom of ancient traditions. It seeks to cultivate a sense of harmony that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, inspiring a shared dedication to environmental preservation and the appreciation of our collective cultural heritage. This gathering transcends being merely a music festival; it serves as a catalyst for positive change, urging us to strive for a sustainable future for generations to come.
Music enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and those intrigued by cultural exploration are all invited to join this exceptional celebration. It guarantees a distinctive fusion of diversity, artistic progression, and global unity, making it an event of unparalleled significance.
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