After two years of absence from the on-site event experience, the Rainforest World Music Festival 2022 is now making a comeback in a unique hybrid format.
The big question - What is a hybrid format? In this article, I will do my best to explain this in the easiest way possible.
Hybrid Format for Rainforest World Music Festival 2022
Being the first world music festival adapting to this hybrid format, a lot is at stake for the event organisers.
The hybrid element is a combination of online and offline musicians and artists featured throughout the festival.
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| Performers at the Rainforest World Music Festival. |
This means that those who are unable to attend, you will be able to purchase online tickets to view the RMWF2022 from the comfort of their homes or office.
The 25h Anniversary of the Rainforest World Music Festival will have a whopping total of 60 bands and performers this year.
Physical and Digital Stage at RWMF2022
There will be one physical stage and one digital stage this year, which are side by side, and the format will be an interchangeable system.
- Physical RWMF Stage - 30 local and international performers will perform on the physical stage throughout the three days. Out of that, 12 bands and artists will be global, while the balance will be local Sarawakian.
- Digital RWMF Stage - This is where the pre-recorded musicians will make their quick performance, including special showcases of cultures and music. This will alternate with the primary physical stage.
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| What the two RWMF stages will look like during the event. |
For those interested in experiencing the RWMF2022 online, there will be a special sale of viewing blocks sold by the hour.
This will allow viewers to buy viewing blocks and choose who performers they would like to see performing from the comfort of their homes.
For now, each viewing block is priced at RM25.00 per block, and viewers will be only entitled to two viewing blocks per day.
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| Visitors attend a music workshop at the festival. |
Rainforest World Music Festival Workshops
For the RWMF workshops, there will be local and international combinations where nothing is structured and will take place in an ad hoc style.
There will also be a special Sape Jam on Friday, which is the festival's first day. This is not to be missed as it showcases Sarawak's traditional Sape instrument.
Some of the workshops may also be shared online under the hybrid format, so keep looking out for that.
Rainforest World Music Festival Food Bazaar
One of the unique experiences visitors can indulge in is the ethnic food bazaar, which highlights some of the fantastic ethnic cuisines from the Bidayuh, Iban, Kayan, and Malay groups.
The regular location for this section is usually held by the Bidayuh House, but again, the site may change, but it will still be on the festival grounds.
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| A visitor checks out some local Sarawakian handicrafts at the craft bazaar. |
Rainforest World Music Festival Craft Bazaar
This year, the usual RWMF Craft Bazaar will occur in the common area under the Melanau Tall House at the cultural village.
There will also be a unique collaboration with Shopee for this RWMF2022, where several items will be available offline and online.
RWMF Early Bird Ticket Sales
The Rainforest World Music Festival currently has early bird ticket sales online, where you can buy them from the RWMF website.
The early bird tickets will end on 14th May; therefore, if you are confirmed going, this would be the first thing you should get besides the accommodation and air tickets.
When is RWMF 2022?
- Date: 17-19 June
- Venue: Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong
- More information at RWMF Website
Conclusion
There we go, explaining what the hybrid format means and what visitors or those staying at home can expect.
As for me, I will be making my way there to attend the festival in person, significantly when Malaysia has relaxed a lot of the SOPs for Covid19.
