Busking festival set for bigger competition

KUCHING: The second edition of the Kuching International Busking Festival (KIBF) 2024 will be held from Aug 29 to 31 on the streets of Old Kuching Town.

This year, the festival has expanded the competition, offering 48 registration spots and introducing new prize categories with over RM11,000 in cash prizes up for grabs.

Supported by the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministry, the event will feature performances by buskers in designated stations, with participants competing for top spots in various categories.

On Aug 29 to 30, from 6 pm to 10 pm, buskers will perform at 48 iconic locations, including Carpenter Street, Jalan Ewe Hai, Main Bazaar, China Street, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, India Street, Jalan Courthouse, Gambir Street, and Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall.

On Aug 31, from 7 pm to 9 pm, the grand finale will be held at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall.

Meanwhile, a panel of judges, including Zaid Zaini, executive producer/director of Front Row Entertainment Sdn Bhd, La Danse director Ivy Chua, and Korean actor Lee Sang Chan, will evaluate the performances.

The categories and prizes are as follow:

Top 10 Buskers: Singers, Musicians, Bands and other Performing Artists: 1st Prize: RM2,000; 2nd Prize: RM1,500; 3rd Prize: RM800; and 4th to 10th Prizes: RM500 each

People’s Choice Award: One winner voted by the public via Plaza Merdeka’s Facebook Page: RM1,000

Best Young Talent Awards U18: 1st Prize: RM800;2nd Prize: RM600; 3rd Prize: RM300; 4th Prize: RM200; and 5th Prize: RM100

Emerging Artist Award: Prize: RM800

Buskers must perform a minimum of 90 minutes per night, with breaks allowed

A panel of at least three judges will score performances over two nights based on vocal quality, instrumental quality, crowd engagement, and presentation.

The top 10 buskers from the first two nights will compete in the grand finale.

For more information, the public can contact organising chairman Gerald Goh at +6019-8165368 or festival coordinator Celestine Chuo at +6012-8806917.