By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Aug 26: Borneo’s largest electronic dance music (EDM) event, the Borderland Music Festival, returns this year featuring 60 international and local artists.
Promising a grander celebration this time, the event is set to welcome 20,000 festival goers across two days from September 5-6 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).
This year’s lineup will feature 20 international artists and 40 local talents, including world-renowned acts such as Da Tweekaz, Darren Styles, Beauz, Wukong, Whisnu Santika, and many more.
Speaking at a press conference at Baitulmakmur 2 here today, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said this is a one-of-a-kind celebration where the cutting-edge sounds of EDM meet the heart of Sarawak’s indigenous heritage, all within the breathtaking rainforest backdrop of SCV.
“This is Sarawak’s very own homegrown EDM festival. It began its journey in Miri in 2023, before moving to SCV in 2024 and has quickly become one of the most exciting new platforms for music, culture, and tourism in the region.
“Mind you, Borderland Music Festival is not just another ordinary concert. It is a bold statement that Sarawak is ready to claim its place on the global stage of modern festivals, while staying true to our cultural identity and traditions.
“Since the organiser is expecting 20,000 festivalgoers over two days, nearly half are expected to be visitors from outside Sarawak. This will help the State’s target of five million visitors for 2025,” Ting said.
He asserted that beyond music, Borderland has become a driver of tourism, hospitality, and economic growth, benefiting Kuching and Sarawak as a whole.
Ting said that when the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) first began in 1998, it welcomed only about 300 people. Today, RWMF is an internationally acclaimed festival that draws more than 20,000 visitors from all over the globe.
“Therefore, I hope Borderland Music Festival will follow this inspiring path, to become internationally recognised as a global beacon for EDM, tailored for a new generation of music lovers, just as RWMF became a flagship event for world music,” Ting added.
Calling all music lovers across Malaysia, Asia, and the world to be part of something extraordinary and unforgettable, he also urged visitors to stay on for a few more days to immerse themselves in Sarawak’s unique and iconic local cuisine.
Meanwhile, organiser Ing Xiang Ming said Borderland Music Festival is set to become an annual anchor event for Sarawak tourism.
“Borderland represents the new generation and sound. We are set to transform Sarawak into Asia’s next EDM destination with an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and unity.
“This year’s festival will be bigger than the last two. Fans can look forward to the hottest acts and an epic stage design from a breathtaking fusion of lights, visuals, lasers, and pyrotechnics.
“Apart from the world-class modern EDM performances, there will also be heritage activities side by side in SCV, such as basic DJ workshops, dance workshops, traditional cuisine testing, crafts and many more,” Ing said. — DayakDaily
