KUCHING: The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 kicked off on Friday (June 23), with tourists from all around the world gathering to enjoy the unique music the festival has to offer.
This year’s festival is much bigger as it is the first fully-physical concert since the pandemic.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke with some of the tourists, and here are their thoughts.
Jens Leahmann, 47, Event Manager (Germany)
“I heard about this festival before, but this is the first time I’m attending it. It is a nice atmosphere. I like the concept. It is nice to be here in Malaysia. And I attended some workshops and there, this guy showed us a bamboo guitar. It is very interesting and I also love handcrafts, beads, and mostly I like the food. Unfortunately, I am only here for a day, but maybe I can persuade my wife to come with me for the rest of the festival. There is no special band I would like to see. I’m just here to enjoy the music.”
Mehrdad Farzi, 39, and Farzaneh Ghorbsni, 37, Gaming Designer (Iran).
“This is our first time and it is very hot here in Kuching. It is very authentic. There are a lot of bands that are playing. We are participating for two days only because we have to go back on Sunday. We are so excited to see Rastak performing tonight and also Gipsy Kings. But we are more excited to see Rastak, a band from Iran because they are so iconic.”
Hannes Reutter, 27, Instrumental Mechanic (Germany)
“This is my first time attending this festival and I came here without any expectations about the kind of music I am going to enjoy. The climate is very hot here and I am sweating all the time. I only attended it for two days. I do not know any artists performing, I just enjoy watching all of them. And I have attended a lot of workshops. I joined them and I find them to be interesting. I really enjoy the drums and also the bamboo instrument.”
