RWMF continues to delight first-time and returning festival-goers

Starkey (right) and his local guide, Michael attending the RWMF 2024 for their sixth year at SCV on June 30, 2024.

By Marlynda Meraw and Shikin Louis

KUCHING, June 30: Roy Starkey, an Australian hailing from Lismore, New South Wales, hopes to see Aboriginal Australians to perform at Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in the future.

The 75-year-old dedicated concert goer has attended RWMF for six years straight, except for the year when the Covid-19 pandemic sent the world into lockdown.

Starkey said the theme of this year’s concert truly lives up to its theme, ‘Evolution’, and he was impressed by the harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary.

“There’s more techno, there’s more video. For me to be exposed to different cultural music is really a good experience.

“I hope that the organisers can also expand their promotion because I didn’t see its (RWMF) promotion anywhere in Australia. I only came across it when I visited Kuching all those years ago,” he said.

Starkey was among the festival goers DayakDaily had interviewed at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) today to find out their thoughts and impressions about the festival.

Shando posing for a photo in the media room at Damai Beach Resort.

Shando Safela, a 40-year-old Indonesian, shared similar opinions as Starkey. He agreed that this year’s explosive performance truly resonated with its theme.

“What I love the most are the performances. That’s what kept me coming for almost seven years,” said Shando, adding that there is always something new every single year.

The diverse range of performances is something Shando truly looks forward to and this year’s RWMF is especially special for him as he had the opportunity to watch world renown musician Kitaro’s performance.

“I hope I can see more artists performing next year,” he said.

Ness giving a thumbs-up at the craft area in SCV.

Businessman Stef Ness, 47, who hails from Strasbourg, France, stated that he has been to Sarawak for several times but this is the first time he has attended RWMF.

“It’s a nice event to promote the various cultures in Sarawak. I enjoy my time here especially when the local people are very nice, friendly and open.

“I’ve been visiting Sarawak for the past 11 years and I believe the local tribes still hold strongly to their sacred rituals and tradition like tattoos, miring ceremony and other Gawai (Dayak) activities,” he said.

Angeline (right) was accompanying her friend who was getting a tattoo at RWMF in SCV.

Meanwhile, Angeline, from Melbourne, Australia, who is also a first-timer to RWMF said she has been having a lot of fun learning about the local culture and enjoying music at the same time.

“Last night (June 29), I came for the night concert. Even though there’s rain, this place has a lot of buildings for you to take shelter from (the rain). Nonetheless, the musical journey was really beautiful.

“Today, I’m hoping to spend the whole day exploring and shopping with my friends,” she said, adding that she would love to come back not only for the festival but to explore Sarawak in general.

Shizumi loves the cultural experience that RWMF offers and plans to invite her friends to attend the next one.

Meanwhile, 53-year-old Okumoto Shizumi from Fukuoka, Japan loves the cultural experience that RWMF offers and she plans to invite her friends to come for the next edition.

“I especially enjoyed the drum call (by the Colour of Sound’s Malaysia). I do join them back in Kuala Lumpur (KL) as well.

“This (RWMF) is comfortable whereas Japanese music festivals are hot,” said Shizumi.

Today marks the third and last day of RWMF 2024. — DayakDaily