Tuning in to Asia: Artistes from the region to take part in Music Fest

KOTA KINABALU: Performers from all over Asia would converge in Sabah to give their very best in the Music Fest 2011 at the breathtaking Simpang Mengayau, famously known as ‘The Tip of Borneo’, in Sabah’s northern most district of Kudat. Scheduled over two days starting July 16, the Music Fest, which attracted about 2,000 spectators last year, would feature “Sing Out Asia” for the first time with a combination Asia’s finest singers and musicians.

Among the Sing Out Asia artistes to perform are N’jami, a Japanese group that blends folk songs using instruments made of out corals and shells, Indonesian trio Lala, Imel and Marko, Thai soul and R&B artiste Art Thomya, Julianne and Nino from the Philippines, Lang from Laos and Japanese guitarist Yoshiro. Also to make an appearance at the evening music gala are highly acclaimed finger plucking guitarist Roger Wang, Sabah’s only full orchestra Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra and singer cum songwriter Amir Yussof.

Presented by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), the event is organised by its wholly owned subsidiary company Sri Pelancongan Sabah (SPS) Sdn Bhd. STB chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin expects the turnout to be higher this time around with the presence of Sing Out Asia, which is a non-profit organisation that originated from Japan. Its objectives are to bring together the youth of Asia and help them understand the importance of friendship and understanding within countries in this region.

“This augurs well for the music scene in Sabah,” Tengku Zainal said adding the Rungus people, one of Sabah’s largest ethnic group and the dominant community in Kudat, would be presenting their culture and dances during intervals at the music fest. He said the event will be held over two days now due to the overwhelming response last year, adding that it will be a musical experience like no other.

Distancing the event from the likes of Sarawak’s Rainforest World Music Festival, SPS general manager Sitti Damsal said the Music Fest in Kudat is totally a different outfit altogether. “This is a niche market and I think we are the only ones who dare to hold such an event at the Tip of Borneo,” she said adding that the event is a value-for-money outing. The STB intends to bring the ultimate musical experience using nature, with the sunset and vast ocean in the background, and beautiful outdoors, serenaded by up-tempo yet soft music.
-thestar online.