{"id":248745,"date":"2025-03-05T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/?p=248745"},"modified":"2025-03-05T05:53:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:53:05","slug":"rainforest-world-music-festival-returns-in-june","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ttrweekly.com\/site\/2025\/03\/rainforest-world-music-festival-returns-in-june\/","title":{"rendered":"Rainforest World Music Festival returns in June"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KUCHING, 5 March 2025: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak have officially launched the 28th<\/sup> edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) set to take place from 20 to 22 June 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s festival theme is \u201cConnections: One Earth, One Love\u201d, celebrating music\u2019s power to unite cultures, bridge traditions, and foster a shared appreciation for the planet\u2019s diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With last year\u2019s edition attracting a record 26,000 festival-goers, RWMF 2025 aims to surpass that record footfall to solidify the festival\u2019s reputation as a must-experience cultural and world-class music event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earth Wind and Fire<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading this year\u2019s lineup is The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, bringing the timeless legacy of one of the most influential bands in music history to the RWMF stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) is renowned for its genre-defying sound, blending Funk, Soul, R&B, and Jazz with African rhythms, soaring harmonies, and powerful stage presence. With a career spanning over five decades, EWF has left an indelible mark on the global music scene, earning multiple Grammy Awards and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping that legacy alive is Al McKay, a seven-time Grammy Award winner and former EWF musical director, who now leads The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Indigenous music<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining them is Otyken from Siberia, Russia, an indigenous group known for their powerful throat singing and mastery of rare Siberian instruments. Comprising 10 members, their sound blends the khomys, a wooden stringed instrument used by Siberian nomadic tribes; the vargan, a jaw harp known for its deep, resonating tones; and the morinhur, also called the horsehead fiddle, an instrument deeply tied to Mongolic and Turkic musical traditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representing Sarawak, At Adau from East Malaysia will take centre stage as a Sarawakian headliner at RWMF. The band is known for its dynamic fusion of Sape’s melodies with Bidayuh, Iban, and Orang Ulu percussion, bridging ancestral traditions with modern world music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having been with RWMF since 2014, their inclusion as a headliner marks a significant milestone, reflecting RWMF\u2019s ongoing commitment to elevate Sarawak\u2019s musical heritage and position local talent on par with global acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fringe workshops<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the performances, RWMF 2025 offers an immersive festival experience, inviting festival-goers to explore music, culture, and creativity. The Fringe and interactive workshops provide deeper cultural engagement, allowing attendees to connect with performers and learn about musical traditions from around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year is the first-ever open stage for jam sessions, where festival-goers can step in and play alongside musicians \u2014 whether you\u2019re a seasoned performer or just feeling the groove, this stage is open to all. The festival gates will open at 1000, welcoming attendees to a vibrant world of music, culture, and connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections: One Earth, One Love<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s festival strengthens its commitment to sustainability under the theme \u201cConnections: One Earth, One Love,\u201d ensuring that RWMF continues to be a cultural celebration with a conscience. RWMF has made a firm, long-term commitment to carbon offset initiatives, aiming to plant 10,000 trees by 2027, coinciding with the festival\u2019s 30th anniversary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticket sales and tree planting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portion of ticket sales will directly support this tree-planting initiative, significantly contributing to Sarawak\u2019s ongoing efforts to preserve its rich natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival has implemented a range of eco-friendly initiatives to minimise its environmental footprint. Eco stations will be placed throughout the venue to encourage proper waste separation and recycling, while free water stations will help reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. For the first time, an expanded network of carbon calculation stations will enable attendees to assess their carbon footprints and receive practical recommendations for carbon offsetting measures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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