Rainforest Music Festival

Its been a few weeks since I went, but with my moving out of my apartment and back in with my parents, and workshops to manage and work and all, well I didnt get around to it as quickly as I would have liked.

(Inside the Sarawak cultural village)

The Rainforest Music Festival is an annual event held in Kuching, Sarawak, or more precisely, at the foot of Mt. Santubong where the Sarawak cultural village is. Its a weekend long event bringing together musicians from around the world. And to manage expectations, its like a hippiefied Woodstock, but minus the drugs and free loving. I want to say minus the drinking too, but u can deff get some beers there and glasses of wine to enjoy the show. How chic!

The performers are all world music band members/ performers. They really do make you think about the different sounds around the world and how there is a rythm in everything. Re: the Leweton Women's Water Music, which had the women performing in the river, splashing water rhytmically.

(The Leweton Womens Water Music, with food and drink tents in the background)

(More river music)

Music workshops are held throughout the day. Three sessions per day, each lasting ~40min - an hour. The workshops are held in three different locations in the cultural village. I went over for the Voices in Harmony workshop which was located in the Iban longhouse. They typically split up the performers to form different groups to lead the workshops. Mine had all the singers, and all the percussionist had gone to another location.

(Percussion workshop)

(Feel the love in the longhouse)

It was magical being in the longhouse, hearing the singing, and having everyone sing along. We all sang Guantanamera, and Amazing Grace and u could feel the chills up your spine with all that loving going around.

(Food, drinks and random activities)

(Cut your hair while youre at it)

A concert is held every evening as well. So we hung around in the cultural village post workshops. Grabbed some dinner (LOTS of tents with food, drinks, even coffee!) for sale. Was a real festive atmosphere. To really enjoy the concert I recommend you bring a folding chair, or be ready to just sit on the rocky ground. They alternate stages throughout the night so that one can be prepared while the other is being performed on. I would recommend finding just the right location so that you can enjoy both.

(Rainforest music festival - rock on!)

It is surreal being at the foot of a mountain, surrounded by rainforest, with beautiful music, and people shouting "LOVE! PEACE! RESPECT MOTHER NATURE". Will deff come back again next year, and bring my dad with me this time (since it turns out its not super crazy)

So, some things to note:

1. It gets VERY hot during the day, so be prepared for that and the sweat. Evenings are quite decent. I was in shorts and a short sleeve top and was fine


2. Buy tickets in advance. They only sell 8,000 tickets per day. U can buy the full weekend pass, or just a day pass


3. Book hotels in advance - Kuching gets booked out solid throughout the festival


4. Bring a chair, but u can buy water inside. Not super ex, like RM2 per bottle


5. There are shuttle busses, but they can be a little unreliable - hence, my missing the second workshop because the bus spent most of its time, waiting. Alternatively you can also get a cab there (not so cheap though)


6. Do go to Semenggoh rehab center while youre in Kuching. Its the perfect time! As it isnt fruiting season, the Orang Utans tend to come down to the feeding station. The first time I went, it was fruit season, so they didnt come by. This time around, there were seven! surrounding us in the forest (Mom and baby say hi at the entrance)
   

(Big Papa Ritchie decided to show up as well. What a man)

And of course... have fun! chill out, and remember...

Peace. Love. Unity!