Sarawak boasts South-east Asia's first country music festival

Sarawak-based professional conference organiser, Planet Conventions and Events, has created an international music festival to promote Miri, a secondary destination in the Malaysian state of Sarawak on Borneo Island, and help the local communities promote their events.

Miri Country Music Fest, unique for being the only country music festival in South-east Asia, was first held in February this year. The second edition will be held on February 17, 2015.

Planet Conventions and Events director Gracie V Geikie, said: “There will be a total of eight country bands performing at this one day event comprising local bands from Sarawak as well as international bands from around the world.”

Gracie, former CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board (2005 to 2009), is no stranger to using music to promote her native state as she was also instrumental in being the founder of the annual Miri Jazz Festival and for growing the acclaimed annual Rainforest World Music Festival, which is a homegrown product of the Board.

Gracie said next year the event will also be used as a platform to promote community-based events, such as the 10th anniversary of the Bario Food & Cultural Festival, to be held in July 2015. It will also be a platform for a local community of ladies from Lawas to promote hand-made beads made from clay.

The inaugural Miri Country Music Fest drew 1,900 visitors and attracted media coverage from local and international media.

-TTG Asia.