Singapore, 7 June 2010. This year’s Rainforest World Music Festival will see 20 international bands performing at the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong in Kuching, Sarawak from 9 to 11 July 2010.
Farafina from West Africa has recorded with The Rolling Stones.
The lineup that will sustain the reputation of Malaysia’s foremost iconic festival event are: Reelroad'b (Russia), Novalima (Peru), I Beddi (Italy), Braagas (Czech), Bisserov Sisters (Bulgaria), De Temps Antan (Canada), Minuit Guibolles (France), Layatharanga (India) and Farafina Burkina Faso (Mali).
The three-day concert will also feature Kimura-Ono-Duo (Japan), Debu (Indonesia), Galadum Galundaina (Portugal), Monster Ceilidh Band, (UK) Shanbehzadeh Ensemble (Iran), Leila Negrau (Reunion Island), Yerboli (China), Musafir Gypsies, (Rajasthan), Codey Ledet and his Zydeco Band (USA).
Representing Sarawak are Pingasan’k, the ethnic Bidayuh band from Kampung Benuk near Kuching and Bakieh, a home-grown group based at the Sarawak Cultural Village.
Come rain or shine, the festival is expected to attract more than 22,000 music lovers from Sarawak and beyond.
Don’t forget to make time for the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar located within the festival grounds itself that features craftsmen from all over the world, complete with colourful exhibits and demonstrations in which you can participate. And hang around during the day workshops for seminal musical instrument demonstrations and feverish cross band jamming. A must for world musical instrument nutters (like me).
How To Get There, Where To Stay
Musafir gypsies of Rajasthan features master tabla player Hameed Khan.
The Sarawak Cultural Village is located about 30 kilometers from the State Capital of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. It is a long drive, especially after the concert, if you wish to get there by car or cab. Public transportation is available for transfers to the venue during these dates. It is best to check with your hotel of choice in advance on how to avoid driving to the venue to reduce your carbon footprint.
Fans intending to get closer to the artistes, and bask in the post-concert impromptu jamming, can do well to book a room at Santubong Resort.
Of course there are numerous hotels, lodges and backpacker joints in Kuching town. For more information on where to stay, visit the accommodation section of the Sarawak Tourism Board website.
Ticketing Information
Tickets at RM110 for single entry and RM300 for the 3-day pass are now available on sale online at rwmf@eclipsecomm.net or at all Visitors Information center in Kuching, Sibu and Miri, Sarawak. Child under the age of 12 will be charges at a 50 percent discount from the normal price.
Tickets information sale will also be available at Eclipse Events at L5.10, Wisma BU8, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.
Information and ticket hotline for the festival is at +6 082-423600 / +6 016-6881119 / +6 03-77293829 or its website at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com
The festival is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak.