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1. Rainforest World Music Festival 2021
When: 18th to 20th June, 6pm to 7:30pm
As one of the most unique and anticipated international festivals in the world with over 20,000 people in attendance on average, the Rainforest World Music Festival is something I’d recommend all music and culture lovers to head to at least once in their lifetime – if you haven’t already. Having been to the annual three-day music festival twice in the past, I can vouch that planning for that trip to Kuching as early as a year in advance is well worth it once you’re immersed in the diversity of world music at the evening concerts, learning something new at the daytime music workshops, picking up some traditional gems at the cultural market or enjoying your pre-concert grub during sunset – all at the Sarawak Cultural Village that’s nestled at the base of Mount Santubong.
After the event was cancelled last year, the festival is back (albeit virtually) this weekend! Take a virtual walkthrough of the grounds and enjoy pre-recorded performances by some of Sarawak’s top musicians including Alena Murang, Mathew Ngau and Nading Rhapsody from the comfort of your home. Relive the iconic moments of yesteryear and rediscover the excitement that comes with indigenous music, exclusive interviews and a live chat section where you’ll get the chance to score goodie bags and win fab prizes at your fingertips!
To tune in, click here.
2. Fête de la Musique Malaysia 2021
When: 19th June, 6pm to 12.20am
Ahhh... it’s that time of the year again when music enthusiasts in more than 120 countries would gather to celebrate Fête de la Musique aka World Music Day, an annual celebration on 21st June to honour musicians and music around the world. Originally celebrated in Paris on Summer Solstice in France and started by Jack Lange, the then French Minister of Culture in 1982, it’s a day when the public would come together to enjoy free concerts in parks, museums, metro stations and on the streets. Here in KL, the annual event has been taking place at Publika KL for the past few years, but due to the FMCO, the ground event is replaced with a special online edition this year.
Organised by Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the 2021 edition of Fête de la Musique features 12 musicians from France and Malaysia covering a wide variety of music genres – from indie rock to hip-hop, jazz, R&B, rock and soul at the start of the line-up, to DJ sessions featuring Afro House, EDM, electro and funk in the later part of the evening. If you’re familiar with names like Annie Burnell, BanyakBunyikRepublik, Chien Noir, Karen Nunis Blackstone, Lyia Meta and Praa, you’d definitely want in on this!
To tune in, check out AFKL’s Facebook here and YouTube here.
3. Coach x Def Jam SEA Virtual Concert
When: 24th June, 9pm to 10pm
A couple of weeks ago, fashion and music lovers went into a frenzy on Instagram when news broke that Coach would be hosting its first virtual concert experience held in Southeast Asia in partnership with Def Jam SEA. Rolled out to bridge communities with its modern-meets-nostalgic approach to ’80s-inspired music and its commitment to helping emerging and upcoming artistes around the region, the hour-long virtual concert features 13 artistes from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Fans can expect headliners such as local rapper Joe Flizzow, award-winning singer-songwriter and rapper SonaOne, English-Tamil hip-hop artist Yung Raja from Singapore, American-Thai rapper DaBoyWay, and Indonesian singer and rapper Rayi Putra as part of the line-up, which includes other Malaysian acts like producer, songwriter and rapper Yonnyboii, as well as female rapper, Sya.
During the concert that’ll be airing simultaneously across the four countries, the performers will be dressed in Coach’s Pre-Fall 2021 collection which playfully combines the house’s heritage in craft with the codes of American sportswear – so you can expect to see lots of remixed classics with the sports-meets-vintage spirit we’ve come to love from the brand. If you’ve been following Coach’s social media posts, you’d have made a purchase with the ‘Coach on Delivery’ service before 17th June and received an exclusive link and password to the concert that’s taking place next Thursday evening. If you’re one of those privileged few, we’ll catch you there!
To tune in, click here.
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