Tuku Kame wows the crowd with their medley of contemporary tunes, using an array of traditional and modern instruments. — Photos courtesy of Jee Photography/WAK
KUCHING: The finale of What About Kuching (WAK) ‘Music Portal’ on Saturday night was not the last of this young but vibrant festival, but it definitely amplified the definition of ‘going out loud’.
There was a comedic ‘Battle of the Bands’ situation with the Sarawak Regatta 2018’s stage just across the road from the Old Court House’s Clock Tower, but as soon as the music started, the venue was wrapped in its own bubble of sweet Sarawakian music.
Local steadfast ‘Tuku Kame’ opened the night’s show with familiar sounds of Sarawak. As seasoned and versatile entertainers, this award-winning Sarawak Cultural Village ensemble delivered contemporary tunes with an array of traditional and modern instruments.
Sang Voyage presents a varied selection that taps on both jazzy and local notes, including a couple of original pieces.
The newest band on the block has to be the ‘Sang Voyage’ – the opening act of this year’s ‘Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival’. The group presented a varied selection that tapped on both jazzy and local notes, including a couple of original pieces.
The star of the night was undeniably the one and only Zee Avi, who took the stage to an excited audience – some of whom had waited since the beginning of the event for a glimpse of the singer-songwriter.
Zee Avi plays all the crowd favourites, delighting fans with her Sarawak Malay number ‘Mi Kolok Sigek’.
Zee played all the crowd favourites, delighting locals with her Sarawak Malay number ‘Mi Kolok Sigek’.
In an interview with Borneo Post Online the previous day, the Sarawakian talked about her influences and also her new single ‘Who Are You’, scheduled for release in November.
WAK Music Portal 2018 staked its place in the festival as the platform for local independent music, showcasing both upcoming and established talents.
Other acts featured over the length of the festival included Drum Call, Imaginasi, Retreo, Swaiv, Dream Machine, Van Java, Steff Fleur, D’Quaver, At Adau, Soundholic,Pinanak Sentah, Fuzzy Groove, Sullivan, Polar, and Tempered Mental.
The Music Portal stage was based at Bishopgate Street Stage, except for the final weekend when it moved to the Old Court House.
WAK Music Portal 2018 serves as the platform for local independent music, showcasing both upcoming and established talents.
Other WAK 2018 events that took place or concluded over the weekend included ‘Art Street Kuching’, ‘The Food Play’, Green Heights Mall’s ‘Halloween Flea Market’, ‘Colours of Unity: Bollywood Bazaar’, ‘Serenity Yoga @ Santubong’, ‘Jagoi Heritage Trail Run’, ‘Sarawak Century Ride 2018, as well as various tours and exhibitions.
WAK 2018 will conclude this Wednesday night with a ‘East Meets West Storytelling Showcase’, to be hosted by Ika Picture Story House.