Rainforest World Music Festival 2011 Review

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival

The Rainforest World Music Festival 2011 in Sarawak will be held from 8-10 July and is one of the worlds most unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from around the world and indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo.

This incredible show that has been running for over 10 years has attracted many music lovers worldwide over to the Land of the Hornbills.

A much sought after event by many, bookings have to be done in advance as those who come here at the last minute will find themselves without lodging and end up camping in the area of Damai.

Rainforest World Music Festival 2011 Review

The music festival site also sets up various food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area, and a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artists.

Not your regular Woodstock festival, but the experience of a music festival in the middle of a rainforest is something definitely worth attending in this part of the world. 

In total, 21 bands have been confirmed for the Rainforest World Music Festival, which are;
  • Agungbeat from Sabah, Malaysia
  • Startijen from France
  • Pacific Curls from New Zealand
  • Mamak Khadem from Iran
  • The Blue Canyon Boys from the USA
  • Lisa Haley & Zydecats from the USA
  • The Shin from Georgia, Eastern Europe
  • Ikswew from Canada,
  • Frigg from Finland
  • Malick Pathe Sow from Senegal
  • Victor Valdez Trio from Mexico
  • Duoud from Tunisia/Algeria
  • Ilgi from Latvia
  • Kissmet from India/UK
  • Paddy Keenan Trio from Ireland
  • Leweton Women’s Water Music from Vanuatu
  • Joaquin Daz from the Dominican Republic
  • Kamernga from Australia
  • Kamafei from Italy
  • Kenge Kenge from Kenya
  • Warsaw Village Band from Poland
Photos of Rainforest World Music Festival
Finale at the RWMF in Kuching

I suggest you do so quickly for those who have yet to book the Rainforest Music Festival tickets as they have a promotion online currently. (see tickets below).

The other concern would be the accommodation in Kuching as during this weekend, the entire city will be out of rooms.

From luxury hotels right till guesthouses will be fully booked. Most of the regulars would book a year in advance for this event.

Music Workshop at RWMF
One of the workshops in the main hall

What happens at the Rainforest World Music Festival? 

Program
With a line-up of 21 bands playing a diverse range of world genres, the festival features 7 different acts per night over 3 nights, not including some of the special shows on the last day. Explore the Cultural Village to find the various performances for the three days.

Workshops
Workshops at the Rainforest Music Festival include afternoon informative sessions, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini-concerts throughout the many unique ethnic homes at the cultural village, followed by evening performances on the main stage area.

Food and Village Mart
The Food and Village Mart is filled with interesting local Sarawakian foods, crafts, interesting souvenir items and international food and drinks. Not forgetting the famous Heineken Beer,, which is one of the main sponsors here. More than 30 stalls will be available throughout the cultural village.

RWMF Store
You can be assured that the Rainforest World Music Festival store will be filled with RWMF merchandise. Available are souvenir t-shirts or your favourite artist CD, which you can even get signed by the various artist during the workshops.

Once you are at the Cultural Village, you will have the best opportunity to experience the lifestyle, culture and heritage of the local ethnic tribes found throughout Sarawak, which are;
Workshop for Rainforest World Music Festival
Workshop held at Iban Longhouse

Where and When is the Rainforest Music Festival?
  • Date: Held just after the Hari Raya Holidays yearly
  • Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 midnight
  • Venue: Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong, Kuching
Rainforest Music Festival Ticket Prices: 
  • One Day Pass - RM110 (Adults), RM55 (Children)
  • Three Day Pass - RM300 (Adults), RM150 (Children)
  • There is a promotion for buying early tickets, please check the website
  • Please note prices may increase every year
Where to buy tickets for the Rainforest Music Festival?
  • Online Tickets from TicketCharge
  • Tour and Travel Agents in Sarawak
  • TicketCharge Hotline: +603-9222 8811
TicketCharge Office;
No 42A-1, Jalan Metro Pudu,
Fraser Business Park, Off Jalan Yew,
55100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

Official Website for Rainforest World Music Festival
All photo credits to Suchen SK.

For further information about Rainforest World Music Festival 2011, please contact;

Sarawak Tourism Board
5th - 7th Floor, Yayasan Sarawak Building
Jalan Masjid, 93400 Kuching
Sarawak, Malaysia
Phone : +6082-423600
Fax : +6082-416700
Email : pauline@sarawaktourism.com
Website : Sarawak Tourism

Conclusion

Apart from the music festival in Kuching, you can also take this opportunity to explore the Sarawak Cultural Village, as this is known as the world's most impressive living museum.

For anyone who has never attended the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, I highly recommend you do so as this is truly one of the most unique music festivals in the world.

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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