Siniawan Country Music Festival draws 8,000 visitors

BAU: The 8th Siniawan Country Music Festival ended on a high note, attracting 7,000 to 8,000 visitors over three nights despite Sarawak’s packed events calendar.
 
This reaffirmed its position as one of Sarawak’s signature community music festivals despite a packed statewide events calendar.
 
Serembu assemblyman Datuk Miro Simuh described the Sept 25–27 festival as a resounding success, saying the strong turnout exceeded concerns that multiple events in Kuching and across Sarawak might dilute attendance.
 
“Even though there were many events taking place in Kuching and Sarawak, we still had a huge crowd joining us throughout the three nights,” he said when assessing the overall festival.

The KCLC Band from Pontianak, Indonesia, is one of the bands performing at the festival.

He added that local and international bands delivered outstanding performances, creating a relaxed atmosphere where families and friends gathered to enjoy country music along the historic streets of Siniawan.
 
“It was three amazing nights filled with fun, meeting friends from near and far. We also welcomed many expatriates and foreign visitors this year,” he said.
 
Miro said the estimated attendance of 7,000 to 8,000 people was in line with organisers’expectations, aided by significant improvements to the festival venue.
 
“This year we had a bigger area, a larger stage and a more relaxed environment with the new waterfront and event space,” he said.
 
The expanded venue also enhanced the audience experience, allowing visitors to enjoy performances comfortably while passers-by can even see it from the main Bau–Kuching road.
 
Beyond entertainment, the festival delivered a strong boost to the local economy, with food, beverage and retail vendors reporting brisk business throughout the weekend.
 
“I went around asking the vendors, and almost all of them said it was non-stop work serving customers. They were very happy with the number of visitors and their spending,” Miro said.
 
He said the redesigned event layout was among the festival’s greatest achievements, providing better sightlines to the stage and creating a more spacious, family-friendly setting.
 
First introduced in 2018, the Siniawan Country Music Festival has grown into a major tourism and cultural attraction for Bau, celebrating country music while showcasing the town’s heritage, local cuisine and riverside charm.
 
Last year’s edition drew thousands of visitors and strengthened the festival’s reputation as a key event on Sarawak’s tourism calendar.

This year’s enhanced waterfront venue, bigger stage and increased international presence marked another milestone in its continued growth.
 
With another successful edition concluded, organisers are expected to build on the momentum as SCMF continues to elevate Siniawan’s profile as a vibrant heritage destination in western Sarawak.