Miri Country Music Festival returns in November, hopes to attract 2,000 festival-goers

Abdul Karim (fourth left) and others posing for a group photo after the press conference today (June 25, 2022).

By Jaythaleela K

MIRI, June 25: The eighth edition of the Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) will be held from November 25-26 at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club and is expected to attract 2,000 festival-goers.

Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed his optimism that MCMF would be a success, just like the Borneo Jazz Festival, which is currently being held in the city.

In a press conference today, he said that tickets for the first day of the jazz festival were sold out.

“At first, I was worried about the attendance numbers, but last-minute ticket purchases by the locals were impressive,” he said.

The MCMF was created in 2014 and was the first international country music festival.

In 2020, the festival was kept alive by virtual performances streamed on Facebook as part of a tribute show by past performers to entertain audience members at home when many were still under lockdown.

This year, the line-up for MCMF includes Tantowi Yahya returning as the festival headliner along with Ramon Cedillo from Singapore, Cambodia Country Band from US and Cambodia, and Johnny Loda Trio from Italy, UK and Thailand, as well as local performers from within the country.

Festival-goers are also invited to participate in The Buku Project by bringing their second-hand books to the festival to be donated to the residents of Long Lama and Long Atip.

Early bird tickets are now on sale at RM80 per day and RM120 for a two-day pass.

More information can be found at www.miricountrymusic.com and the Miri Country Music Fest Facebook page.

For enquiries, call 082-555189 or email fifi@placeborneo.com. — DayakDaily