KUCHING – The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is preparing to welcome music enthusiasts and industry professionals from across Southeast Asia for the inaugural BEATROOT Festival.
Scheduled to run from 21 to 23 May 2026, the three-day event forms the entertainment centrepiece of a larger regional initiative aimed at fostering international creative collaborations.
Operating under the theme “The Beat of Friendship, Rooted in Culture”, the festival is designed to utilise contemporary music as a vehicle for cross-border diplomacy.
By bringing together diverse artistic styles from neighbouring nations, organisers hope to firmly establish the capital of Sarawak as a significant hub for live entertainment and cultural exchange within the region.
A major highlight of the upcoming event is the highly anticipated debut performance of Indonesian internet sensation Juan Reza in Sarawak.
The fast-rising artist, who recently received accolades from the YouTube Music Academy for his rapid channel growth, has built a massive digital following across the continent with viral hits such as “Tabola Bale”.
Audiences at the venue will experience his distinctive musical fusion, which integrates contemporary genres like Rap and R&B with traditional Minangkabau elements and Eastern Indonesian tribal rhythms.
Organisers emphasise that the event transcends standard live concert formats, functioning instead as a broader creative movement that bridges generational and national boundaries.
In addition to the headlining Indonesian act, the multi-day concert lineup features an array of prominent regional artists, including SonaOne, Shigga Shay, Saykoji, and Teza Sumendra.
Attendees can expect a diverse programme consisting of high-energy performances, streetwear showcases, and collaborative visual productions designed to unite the creative communities of Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond.
According to the event management team, the response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive since the announcement.
Early bird ticketing options remain available until 10 May 2026, with single-day standing passes priced at RM245 and comprehensive three-day general admission tracking at RM550.
For those seeking premium comfort, daily and full-weekend VIP passes are available at RM485 and RM965, respectively, offering air-conditioned seating and enhanced stage views.
The concert series functions as the flagship attraction of Tee.F.Dee 2026 (The Friendship Diplomacy), a multi-faceted platform co-produced by The Sophie’s Choice and Kaizen Quality Sdn. Bhd.
This wider convention features several public exhibitions with complimentary access, including the SEAMEX audio-visual trade show, the COLLAB-HUB digital innovation space, and the CRAFTXIBITION contemporary craft marketplace.
Andy Manuhutu, the founder of the initiative, stated that the overarching goal is to create sustainable ecosystems where industry, talent, and regional heritage intersect.
This sentiment was echoed by co-organiser Alvin Justin, who highlighted that local firms now possess the necessary resources and expertise to execute international-standard events that actively stimulate the regional creative economy.
