THREE NIGHTS OF VARIED MUSIC OVER THE RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND    (中文)

Date: 09 June 2006
Written By: Yeoh Jun-Lin

In true Rainforest World Music Festival style, there will be some of the most contrasting acts during the evening shows.

The site of the festival is a simple cleared expanse of land at the Sarawak Cultural Village, with trees and lush green undergrowth half surrounding it, and the night sky above.

There are two stages that will alternate having the bands. Big Stage is thatched with atap fronds, Malaysian style, that would have turned a rustic brown by the time the festival commences. Iban designs front the stage and the décor of the stage is almost non-existent. None is needed because when the lights illuminate the backdrop of the trees, it is usually quite magical enough.

Stage Two is a comparatively small stage but its impact comes from two things – its elevated height and the majestic trees that flank it.

Over the three nights of the festival that will run from 7th – 9th July this year, 16 bands will take turns going on.

The Rainforest World Music Festival’s great hunt for bands that have strong ethnic roots and identity in their music, be it traditional or world beat, is now fairly crystallized and people now come to the festival expecting to be surprised and to be entertained.

Night time shows will start at 7.30 pm. There are no chairs. Seasoned festival goers usually turn up with mats, foldable chairs and some of the coolest attire they can find.

As always, the music of the evening will start with the more spiritual and traditional groups, and slowly build up to the world beat bands by the end of the night. The organizers promise something for everyone, and they mean it. Expect to span the gamut from regal chants of the nomads of the Steppes to fiery Celtic reels and everything else in between.

On Friday night, the traditional icon of the festival – the sape – in the hands of Henry and Joseph, will open the festival.

This will be followed by colourful traditional samul nori percussionists from Korea – the CHUNGMYUNG ART TROUPE.

GENTICORUM from Canada will then appear on Stage Two with some of the happiest and humourous Quebecois songs and foot percussion.
First band ever from Austria will follow. HOTEL PALINDRONE is a band of four multi-instrumentalists with folk and country dance music and a sprinkling of yodeling.

Latin American music is always a favourite and this time it comes as a musical exploration through all the different South American cultures with CALLE SUR, led by the vivacious Karin Stein and Edgar East.

Female legend from Mali, NAHAWA DOUMBIA will end the evening. This band would have had one of the longest journeys to get to Borneo, and the festival organizers are very pleased that they have managed the trip.

Saturday night always seem to attract the most party animals, but they will get a chance to sit back and conserve their energy first and listen to some evocative bamboo music from BERINGKENG TUA’AN – a Bidayuh group from Sarawak.

This is followed by GENTICORUM with a different set and then the magnificent throat singers from Mongolia – EGSCHIGLEN.

From West Malaysia come six young men with their attention seeking dhol drums – THE MALAYSIAN DHOL FEDERATION. Look out for some small surprises as well that might spring out on either stage.

AYNUR from Turkey will be another delicious treat to look out for as the powerful voice and music from the Middle East.

The closing act will be THE PEATBOG FAERIES from Scotland, dressed in their traditional kilts and armed with whistles, pipes, fiddle and more.

There is usually a muted mingled air of sad and happy at the start of Sunday evenings. Will it be the same this year as TENGIR TOO from Kyrgyzstan takes the stage? These quiet but very regal musicians are something to fall in love with.

2 different acts from the PERSATUAN TRADISI ORIENTAL KUCHING will follow on Stage Two – first, Yap Ting with an evocative solo on the beautiful hu lu si, and then a witty descriptive story told on Chinese percussion instruments by a bigger group.

KILEMA from Madagascar will bring lyrical songs, heart-felt tones from his instruments and much warmth.

The organizers have been trying to get French gypsy band LES YEUX NOIRS to the festival since 2003. They are usually booked up years in advance so it will be a great thing to have them close the festival before every musician gets up on stage for the finale. Nobody ever knows what will happen at this mad adrenalin-packed festival goodbye so don’t be in a hurry to leave to watch the final of the World Cup as this is the climax of the whole event.

The Rainforest World Music Festival is the proud recipient of the PATA Gold Award under the Culture and Heritage Section this year.

The Sarawak Tourism Board is the organizer for the event and it is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia. They also have on board with them, Malaysia Airlines who is Official Airlines 9th year running as well as fROOTS magazine as Media Sponsor. DIGI is the official telco while supporting sponsors like Heineken and Water Genesis are also adding their support to the festival.

Tickets are priced at RM60 and RM30 for children aged 3 – 12 years. They are available at the Visitor Information Centres in Kuching, Miri and Sibu. Or check the website www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com for packages or travel agents or outlets and updates on the festival. More enquiries can be made by calling the Sarawak Tourism Board at 082-423600.

This is the ninth year of the festival and the organizers are still driving hard to keep  improving  and building  the festival.

We hope to have you with us at the Santubong area where, for 3 days, we hope to open up new doors and new experiences musically.

Yeoh Jun-Lin
Artistic Director
Rainforest World Music Festival