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The Kuantan Music Festival has been cancelled. Click here for more details.

Music lovers, take note! If you’ve enjoyed music festivals in the jungle (Rainforest World Music Festival), on an island (Penang Island Jazz Festival) or in an urban setting (KL International Jazz Festival), there’s one that needs to be added to this list – a beach festival. The Kuantan Music Festival, happening from 4-5 April, will be held by the swaying coconut trees of the east coast, along the famed Cherating Beach.

The Kuantan district on the east coast of Malaysia, known for its countryside and traditional Malay lifestyle, may be an unlikely venue for a music festival that will feature rock songs on cellos and a healthy dose of jazz, funk, and blues.

For Festival directors Erica Gilbert and Sabri “Atord” Hamdan, however, it’s the perfect setting to chill out with music. “Imagine a music stage with some of the best musicians around, playing beautiful tunes in the cool night air with a nice, soft breeze blowing in from the sea. On top of that, the laid-back lifestyle of the east coast, the beach, and the food, will just add to the experience,” Gilbert says, depicting the atmosphere of the upcoming music festival which will be held at Holiday Villa, Cherating.

Though Gilbert doesn’t play any music instruments, she is a self-confessed music lover, who grew up on music festivals in the United Kingdom, where she was born. Missing the cool vibe of such events in the little town of Kuantan where she now resides, she came up with the ingenious idea to put together a music event on the east coast.

“My formative years in England were filled with memories of music festivals that I went to. Blackbushe was the first when I was 14 years old, even before Reading, Glastonbury and all the others,” Gilbert says, rolling off the iconic names wistfully.

“We try to make it a point to go to the festivals here as well. We’ve been travelling to Penang for the past three years to catch the Penang Jazz Festival. I guess I want my children to have that experience, too. And that’s why we decided to bring this music to our side of the world.”

But why Kuantan for a music festival? “Why not? The East Coast loves its music too,” she responds. “Some people think the East Coast is just about coconut trees and monkeys. But we are so much more than that,” she says.

Her Malaysian husband, Hamdan, plays the guitar and blues harp, and occasionally sings at their Crocodile Rock restaurant in Kuantan where residents flock to, to enjoy pizza, pasta, and grilled selections in a statuesque colonial bungalow amid a garden setting.

Music appreciation also runs in the family with Atord’s love for the guitar and blues harp, while son Kieran, 15, is a keen guitarist and saxophonist. Their daughter Inis, 12, is more like her mum, cheering on from the sides, with defined musical tastes of her own such as Taylor Swift and Jessie J.

With their love for music and life, these savvy festival organisers have put together an eclectic line-up of musicians. Audiences can expect to hear Paladin’s brand of cello rock; T-Bone Ska’s reggae renditions from Thailand; fusion arrangements by AkashA; and the unique sounds of the Hang drum by Germany’s The Art of Fusion.

Those who know and miss Ito of the Blues Gang will get to see him perform at the festival with his Purple Haze band. Other talented musicians in the line-up are Indonesia’s Rio Sidek Quartet with their brand of Latin Jazz and funk; Amir Yussof; and Wilson Quah and Dasha Logan, daughter of Alleycat Loganathan.

Audiences will also get to hear the winner of ASTRO Ria’s “Keynote” competition for young composers, Kuantan-born Faan and seasoned Malaysian blues man Zull “King”.

“When coming up with the band list, we wanted music designed from all parts of society, and all walks of life. We envision our audience to be people of all ages; anyone who has some music knowledge and appreciation, who love arts, travel, and the good things in life. So the lineup had to be appealing to a cross-section of society. Still, the quality of the selection has not been compromised. Even the vocalists play their own instruments. It’s real live music!” Atord enthuses.

Besides the evening performances, the afternoons will be filled with fringe performances to showcase new music talents.Workshops will also be held for festival goers to jam with the talented musicians. Those wanting to explore the lesser-known parts of the east coast can visit Cherating’s beautiful beaches, visit turtle sanctuaries and take a firefly cruise.

The event promises two great nights of music by the sea. Gilbert says, “Festivals are usually set up by professional musicians, but for the Kuantan Music Festival, neither Atord nor I can claim to be that. We prefer to think of ourselves as professional music lovers, coming in from the audience’s perspective. We may not know all the technical aspects of music, but we know what the audience wants – great music and great entertainment. That’s what Kuantan Music Festival is all about!”

Note: Kuantan Music Festival is the first of its kind to grace Cherating’s shores. Be sure to catch it from 4 to 5 April 2014, at Holiday Villa Cherating. For more information, visit www.kuantanmusicfestival.com. Advance tickets available online through www.ticketpro.com.my.

Source: Senses of Malaysia March/April 2014

Read more:

• Eight Malaysian Musicians You Should Know
• 8 Music Events & Festivals in Malaysia
• The Man Behind The George Town Festival

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