Music Festivals in Sarawak

There are numerous music festivals in Sarawak Borneo that cater to music lovers or even anyone who is into various genres of music.

The largest state in the east of Malaysia plays host to several international and world-renown music festivals and shows throughout the year and this article is highlighting these events that attract thousands of visitors here.

Access to Sarawak is via flights from Kuala Lumpur and many other major cities around the region while from neighboring countries, you can drive into the state.

Below is a list of major music festivals in Sarawak in no order and supported by images of the events.  

Having attended this festival only in 2013, I realized the huge potential of this festival which showcases ethnic musicians from around the world in one event.

If you have never attended this unique festival, I very much recommend going for the next one which is the Rainforest World Music Festival 2014. Provided you must love world music and the outdoors.

Personally, I had a fabulous time there listening to the many interesting genres of music from around the world. The event is also held yearly in July and at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.

Below are random pictures from the RWMF 2013 while the next Rainforest World Music Festival 2016 takes place in August.

Rafly Wa Saja giving an amazing show to the audience

Lan E Tuyang playing at the Rainforest Music Festival

Running for the 7th year, the Borneo International Jazz Festival or BIJF is a must-visit if you are a jazz lover. This festival was once called the Miri Jazz Festival too.

The home ground for this is at the Everly Park Hotel in Miri which has a spectacular event area facing the sea.

The Borneo Jazz Festival is also an outdoor event, world-class jazz musicians make their way here for a two-day outdoor jazz festival cum carnival which is excellent for families, couples and of course, jazz lovers. 

For the general jazz lovers, you will be in for a treat as the line up is well balanced with different groups who perform interesting variations of jazz.

Food and beverages are easily available here while it only takes about five minutes to drive to the city center from here. The Borneo Jazz Festival is usually held in March every year.

The opening act for the Borneo International Jazz Festival 2013

The Nylons at the Borneo International Jazz Festival

Juk Wan Emang, a 71-year-old orang ulu plays the nose flute

These instruments are the Sape, Satung, Tung But, Sanang, Tawak, Jatung Lutang, Atui and Oreng used by the ethnic people here. A friend of mine, Emila Yusof did a fantastic job covering this event in 2012.

The very unique ethnic groups comprise of Sarawak Kayan Association, Sarawak Bisaya Association, Petipun Penan Sarawak, Sarawak National Kenyah Association, Federation of Miri Chinese Association (Long Lama), Dayak Bidayuh National Association Miri (DBNA), Miri Kadayan Association, Rurum Kelabit, Sarawak Lakiput Association,  Miri Berawan Association and the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Marudi). 

Sape players at the Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival – Image from emilayusof.com

The Sarawak Highland Folk Music Festival is also a joint collaboration effort between the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and Long Bedian Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK). This unique festival is also held in November.


Kuching Jazz Festival


After the success of the Borneo Jazz Festival, a third party organized the Kuching Jazz Festival, which is held in the city area of Kuching. This jazz festival takes place in July or August and was inaugurated in 2017 as one of the activities in Kuching. 


I have personally not attended this festival, but in the beginning, the artist was on a mediocre level with nothing to should about. It did attract a local crowd, but the feedback was not up to the standards. 


This two-day event also sees mostly locals attending and is created for the jazz fans in Kuching. 

Borneo World Music Expo (No longer running)

Having the inaugural world music expo in Kuching, this was the mastermind of Sarawak Tourism Board CEO, Datuk Rashid Khan where it was slated a few days just before the World Rainforest Music Festival.

At the Borneo World Music Expo, international programmers, performers, and specialists conduct workshops about the unique world music industry. Information, tips, and sharing is openly conducted for the world music business.

During the three days of the Borneo World Music Expo, there are also performances by specially invited musicians in the evenings.

They showcase some of the world’s most unique genres of music in a closed hall where nightly, there will be from three to five performances. Tickets are sold at the door or from the tourism boards office in Kuching.

If you are a fan of world music and want to understand it a little more, this is one not to be missed event. It is also held in July yearly.

*Update – This event is no longer running.

Flutist from Rafly Wa Saja performs at the Borneo World Music Expo 2013

Korean traditional dance performance at the BWME 2013

A tabla player meditates at the Borneo World Music Expo 2013

In its inaugural year, the first Asia Music Festival in Sarawak is set to showcase the talent of many local and international musicians and performers.

Held in the city of Miri, the AMF 2013 is a two-day event at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club which is about five kilometers from the town center.

Musicians taking part in this music festival are Antoney Dassan Yen Party (India), Foxy Girls (Indonesia), Bembol Rockers (Philippines), V.Star Band (Korea), Boy Thai Band (Thailand), Soesah Tidoer (Indonesia) and Fakhrul Razi (Brunei) which promises an exciting show for general music lovers.

This event is the first time ever is held in October and in the city of Miri, Sarawak.

*Update – This festival is no longer running.

Soesah Tidoer performing at the Asia Music Festival in Miri

Anthoney Dassan Yen Party at AMF2013

Asia Music Festival 2013 at Miri Sarawak