While politicians started the word war to get votes for the soon-happening state elections, I decided to take a break and flew to Kuching to attend the 26th Rainforest World Musical Festival (RWMF) over the weekend. It turned out to be a pleasantly enjoyable musical experience!

The festival features indigenous/ethnic music creatively expressing a modern interpretation that most people can relate to. As the musicians played on both indigenous and modern instruments, people up out in front of the stage — and some elsewhere behind — danced and gyrated to the music while many clapped their hands, tapped their feet and rocked their bodies to the drum-driven rhythm and beat.

Even staid and never-let-her-guard-down me was moving my head and body and swaying — while safely seated — to the mysterious and vibrant sounds of the forests echoing loudly from the stage!

The musicians came from different parts of the world such as the big acts by Grammy-winning French band Gypsy Kings showcasing Catalan music from Spain and USA’s Big Mountain’s reggae/hip-hop/rap. Other international artistes included the Rastak from Iran, Chatusram from India, Fasylive from the Maldives and the Ethno Thai Fusions Sound Band from Thailand who gave a very energetic performance.

East Malaysian groups included the Nading Rhapsody, Zee Avi and Buloh Bekocak while Peninsular Malaysia was represented by the Orang Orang Drum Theatre, Nadir and the Aseana Percussion Unit who gave a rousing drum-driven performance.

All the performances were impressive and an eye-opener to how good ethnic/indigenous music can be!

It was a relaxed crowd in the open-air grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong — the RWMF venue — which is an hour’s drive by shuttle bus from Kuching. There were two stages and they were set against the rainforest behind with a huge open space in front.

The party-goers stood in front of the stage dancing to the music. Others sat or milled around. People of all ages attended the RWMF, including young families who brought their kids in prams and fanned them while listening to the music! There was no ugly scene with everyone enjoying themselves without bothering anyone else. And everyone was decently appropriately dressed with the exception of one or two in outrageous outfits who were noticed but left alone.

It is an uplifting musical experience that should also be shared with the rest of the world. The Sarawak Tourism Board organises the annual affair and should take a greater effort to publicise it to the world. It would be a money spinner and Malaysia would be recognised as spearheading the popularising of indigenous/ethnic music.

Concert-goers will not only enjoy good music but they will get a taste of untouched natural beauty. Rainforests on one side and the sea on the other side.

A short walking distance from the stage area is the seafront and Damai Beach. Concert-goers who come early enough can walk to the seafront and catch the brilliant sunset — if it doesn’t rain — before making their way to the concert grounds.

There are also food stalls and drinks so no one will go hungry or thirsty! (And, the wash rooms — are wet — but clean! More could be done to keep them dry.)

The RWMF dates for next year have been announced — June 28-30. I suggest book tickets early. There are hotels near the Sarawak Cultural Village like the Damai Beach Resort but they are usually booked for the musicians as early as April.

The alternative is to book hotels in Kuching and take the bus shuttle to the venue. The shuttle service is usually free for RWMF ticket holders. Unfortunately, the shuttle pick-up points in Kuching are usually announced in early June. However, the pick-up points are close to the main hotels in Kuching and the shuttle service ensures every concert-goer with a ticket is picked up from the RMWF venue no matter how late the concert ends and dropped off in Kuching.

Contact the Sarawak Tourism Board or https://rwmf.net/ for buying tickets and other details.

Foreigners may want to use a travel agent and, to make it worth their while, take a package to visit the Mulu Caves which is an Unesco world heritage site, and have the agent extend the trip to include the RWMF event.

The RWMF is Malaysia’s very own homegrown concert brand and it is something that every Malaysian should attend at least once! Not only Malaysians but the rest of the world as well. One needs to be there to enjoy the music and see firsthand and appreciate a different kind of music that one doesn’t hear all the time.