The 27th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Sarawak, Malaysia, concluded its three-day run with resounding success, celebrating a vibrant tapestry of music, culture, and sustainability. From June 28th to 30th, the Sarawak Cultural Village throbbed with energy as over 26,000 music enthusiasts from across the globe converged to experience the magic of RWMF, marking a significant 35% increase in attendees compared to the previous year.
The 2024 theme, ‘Evolution,’ encapsulated the festival’s commitment to transcend the boundaries of music, promoting responsible tourism, cultural exchange, and environmental stewardship. The festival showcased a diverse lineup of 72 international and 75 local musicians, culminating in 22 acts. These artists, boasting a combined global fanbase of 12 million followers, delivered unforgettable performances that resonated deeply with audiences. The festival’s headliners included full-house performances by ‘The Best of Kitaro Live World Tour’ on Day 1 and Dato’ Zainalabidin on Day 2. The final day of RWMF 2024 was marked by a spectacular closing performance from the Havana Social Club, captivating a reggae-loving audience who danced the night away.
According to YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, “We are proud to highlight the festival’s role in promoting cultural exchange and environmental awareness. In line with the theme ‘EVOLUTION’ this year, RWMF 2024 serves as a platform for advocating sustainable tourism and conservation practices. This year, the festival fulfilled its promise to be a melting pot of diverse cultures, a platform for exchange of ideologies, and environmental initiatives, elevating its significance to reach out to the younger generation.” The Minister added that RWMF 2025 will be held from June 20th to the 22nd, 2025.
The RWMF’s dedication to sustainability was amplified by the “Green Ruai,” a dedicated area showcasing innovations in sustainable practices through partnership with key parties like Sarawak Energy, Eco Green Planet and Sarawak Forestry Corporation. This further exemplified Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) advocacy of responsible tourism, including setting up of eco-stations for recycling, an increased number of water stations to eliminate single-use plastic bottles, and free shuttle buses to reduce carbon emissions. These initiatives inspired positive change for a more environmentally conscious future.
