Festival beat draws fans back again

KUCHING: A stronger DJ lineup and a livelier crowd brought returning festivalgoers back to the Borderland Music Festival while giving newcomers a memorable first taste of the event.

Among them were friends Carolyn Tony, 25, from Penampang and Deedee Cassandra, 26, from Ranau, who travelled from Sabah to attend the festival for the second time.

Carolyn Tony (left) and Deedee Cassandra (right).

Carolyn said they were drawn back by this year’s lineup after attending their first edition in Miri.

“We saw that the DJ lineup was great, so we felt that we should come again, especially for performers such as Vanic and KSHMR,” she said at the Sarawak Cultural Village here on Saturday (Sept 12).

Deedee said the larger and more energetic crowd also made this year’s experience stand out.

“The main stage was completely full on the first night and the excitement was stronger compared to our previous experience,” she said.

Both said they would return next year but hoped organisers would provide a wider variety of food, particularly traditional Sarawak dishes that could further showcase the state’s culture.

For Esther Tito, 27, the trip from Sabah marked both her first visit to Kuching and her first experience at the festival.

Esther Tito.

Encouraged by her friends to attend, Esther said the lively atmosphere and opportunity to watch DJs perform live had made the trip worthwhile.

“It was my first time experiencing something like this and I really had fun. I want more next year,” she said.

Kent Aaron

Meanwhile, Padawan resident Kent Aaron, 33, who attended the festival for the second consecutive year, described this year’s edition as more happening due to its diverse lineup.

He named Indonesian electronic music duo Weird Genius’ member DNA as his favourite act and hoped international DJ Timmy Trumpet would be included in a future edition.

“I will definitely return and bring along friends who have yet to experience EDM,” he said.

The fourth edition of the two-day festival was held on Sept 11 and 12, bringing local and international electronic music acts to the Sarawak Cultural Village.