‘See you tonight at Kuching Jazz Festival’, says Indonesian singer-songwriter Afgan to fans

Afgan speaking to the press in Kuching.

By Nancy Nais

KUCHING, Oct 29: “Come to Kuching Jazz Festival tonight, I am waiting for all of you,” Indonesian singer-songwriter Afgansyah Reza said to his fans.

Speaking in Sarawakian dialect “datang malam tok ke Kuching Jazz festival, kamek nunggu kitak semua” (Come to the Kuching Jazz Festival tonight, I’ll be waiting for all of you), Afgansyah or famously known as Afgan will give his fans in the capital city of Sarawak a memorable concert by performing no less than 10 songs.

He will be making his debut at the Kuching Jazz Festival 2022, which will be held at Grand Margherita Hotel.

In addition, Afgan said he is glad to be able to come back to Sarawak again.

“I really miss my fans here in Sarawak. I had a great time when I was here, so it is nice to be back here again.

“I am sure tonight is going to be another awesome experience, and I cannot wait to be on stage (which is in a few more hours) with all of you,” he told DayakDaily at the one-to-one interview today.

Afgan (centre) with members of the media in Kuching on Oct 29, 2022.

When asked if he would perform a solo concert in Kuching in the future, Afgan excitedly said, “yes”.

“To date, my solo performance in Malaysia was only in Johor Bahru and Miri a few years ago.

“If anyone is interested in taking me here, of course, I will say yes. I am all for this, so let’s do it,” he added.

Among those who attended the meet and greet media session were the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datu Hii Chang Kee; CEO of Hemisphere Corporation and organiser of Kuching Jazz 2022 Mark Ferguson; and director of Place Borneo Gracie Geikie who is the event management company for the festival.

Afgan (right) presenting a signed poster of him performing at the Kuching Jazz Festival 2022 to Hii (centre) and Gracie.

Meanwhile, in addition to Afgan, the festival will also feature artistes and bands from Singapore, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Kuching Jazz Festival was formerly known as Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival. It was started in 2017 by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) as a platform to nurture and inspire local music talents by bringing in international performers.— DayakDaily