STB announce diverse RWMF 2024 performers

The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) recently has finally announced the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2024 performers.

The award winning festival which is themed ‘Evolution’, will be the festival’s 27th edition, and the organizers are promising an immersive experience that transcends music, incorporating responsible tourism, cultural celebration, and environmental stewardship.

According to a statement, the RWMF 2024 performers will feature diversity that showcases 20 acts in total,.

These acts are made up of 68 international musicians from 14 countries across 6 continents together with 63 Malaysian artists.

This STB says, provides exciting amalgamation of sounds and cultures that promises to create a musical fusion like never before and hence showcasing the richness of global musical traditions right here in the heart of Sarawak.

All the RWMF 2024 performers combined command a massive global fanbase of 12 million, comprising followers from Spotify and various social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook.

RWMF 2024 performers

Among the festival’s headlining acts is the Grammy and Golden Globe award winner Kitaro, a Japanese recording artist renowned for his groundbreaking electronic-instrumental music.

Kitaro Live World Tour will be coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival for the first time to enchant and captivate audiences with his ethereal compositions and transport them on a musical journey like no other.

Kitaro won his Grammy in 2001 at the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Album in the New Age category.

Alongside Kitaro, headlining at the RWMF 2024 as one of the performers this year from West Malaysia is none other than Dato’ Zainalabidin, known for his hit song ‘Hijau’ which has been around for over three decades.

It was one of the first few songs in the country to be categorised under the genre of ‘World Music’ when the concept was still relatively new in Malaysia.

Zainalabidin is an award-winning artist, having won multiple prestigious awards throughout his career such as the Millennium Gold Award: Highest Award for Contribution to the Music Industry in 2002, Best Entertainer at the Seri Angkasa Award in 2004 and the Best Male Vocal in an Album (‘Puteri’ album) at the Music Industry Award (AIM).

Representing East Malaysia as one of the RWMF 2024 performers is Sarawak’s own Belle Sisoski. She is well-known for using her creative platform to raise awareness about indigenous rights, environmental and musical conservation in Sarawak.

This remarkable 18-year-old was also 2nd place with her song “Stop Your Games’, in the 2022/2023 Commonwealth Song Contest. She connects with the younger generation and introduces them to the rich variety of Sarawak’s traditional instruments through her music.

Other international acts include Alright Mela Meets Santoo (Pakistan/France), Bourbon Lassi (Australia/Malaysia), Imarhan (Algeria/France), Krakatau Ethno (Indonesia), Nini (Taiwan/USA), Rizal Hadi and Folk (Indonesia), Rhythm Rebels Featuring Selonding Bali Aga (Indonesia), and Tribal Tide (Singapore).

Attendees to RWMF 2024 will also be entertained by other Malaysian performers such as The Borneo Collective (East Malaysia), Adrian G (West Malaysia), Alena Murang (East Malaysia), Nisa Addina (East Malaysia), Salammusik (West Malaysia), The Colour of Sound’s Malaysia (West Malaysia), Tuni Sundatang (East Malaysia) and Zarul @OurBodySound (West Malaysia).

The Borneo Collective is a first-ever musical project, called the ‘Soul of Sarawak,’ to be performed at RWMF2024, featuring Sarawak’s masters of traditional instruments backed by an ensemble of world class musicians from all over Malaysia. The ensemble consists of Malaysia’s Living National Heritage Matthew Ngau, Jerry Kamit of Tuku Kame, Joe Gendang, Ezra Tekola of At Adau among others.

More details on the Rainforest World Music Festival can be seen and read by visiting the links below.

• READ more about RWMF
• READ more articles about RWMF 2024
• READ more articles about RWMF
• BUY clothing for the RWMF