Miri Country Music Fest - A hub for music

MIRI: Miri has what it takes to be the musical hub that can attract large number of tourists from Brunei, said Sarawak Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

This resort city had a reputation for being able to stage wonderful fests that showcase excellent blend of multi-ethnic and international music, he said at the opening ceremony of the Miri Country Music Fest 2017.

“Miri has the ability to stage big-scale music festivals.

“The city has been acknowledged as the place of unique cultural mix by locals and foreigners.

“This is portrayed by the rich heritage in music where we also have international jazz and country music festivals being held every year.

“Miri Country Music Fest 2017 brings together music bands from Sarawak and overseas such as the United States, Britain, Australia, Brunei, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Lee said this resort city played host every year to events like the Christmas parade, Hari Raya celebrations, Gawai Dayak celebrations and many music festivals.

“The city is a meeting place for everyone, including those from different culture and religions,” he added.

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Miri needs greater international exposure, bigger online presence

MIRI: Sarawak is still an unknown tourism destination in many parts of the world.

As such, it needs to organise more international level events and such events have to be aggressively promoted including online to attract more tourists.

According to Assistant Minister for Tourism, Datuk Lee Kim Shin the home-grown Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) is one excellent example of event that has international appeal.

“MCMF which is a private sector initiative has been successfully organised for the 4th year running and proven to be a sustainable tourism event.

“It has been featured in Asean50 Calendar of Events and thus has become an international musical event,” said Lee on Saturday night when declaring open the 4th MCMF here.

Also present were founder and advisor of MCMF, Gracie Geikie and senior officials of the festival collaborators – general manager of ParkCity Everly Hotel Andrew Law, MyMajor Events general manager Tony Nagamaiah, chief executive officer of MASwings Aminuddin Zakaria and Artistic director of MCMF Asif Pishori.

Lee thanked Place Borneo and collaborators for their commitment in making MCMF sustainable and successful besides getting more international and local media to cover the event.

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Miri Country Music Festival to return

MIRI: The fourth Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) will take place this Saturday and Sunday (Feb 25-26) at ParkCity Everly Hotel here.

MCMF artistic director Asif Ben Pishori said the bands selected would bring to the stage ‘a diverse refreshing twist of styles’.

“It will be a fusion of traditional country music genres – Bluegrass, Roots, Rock N Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Folk, Americana, Soul and even Celtic country together with a mix of traditional Irish and Scottish music; to name a few.

“When I started pulling together the line-up of MCMF 2017, I wanted to choose something different to what we had presented before. We had over 40 applications from bands and artistes from around the globe hoping for a chance to occupy a slot at MCMF 2017.”

The Malaysian bands are Raggy Project from Penang, Adi and Maha from Sabah, as well as the homegrown Mountain Wind Band and Country Road Band.

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Annual Miri Country Music Festival returns

KUCHING: The annual Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) will be held on Feb 25-26 at ParkCity Everly Hotel, Miri.

There will be international band performances, line dancing workshops, barbecue cookout and activities for the whole family.

A press release recently said among the bands is Casual Ceilidh Band, which was formed in 2014 by a group of expatriates in Brunei.

The word ‘ceilidh’ signifies traditional Irish/Scottish social events where people of all ages would gather and dance to Celtic music.

The only known Celtic band in Borneo has also expanded its repertoire with country music, performing all over the region.

Other bands are from Australia, the United States, Miri, Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

The MCMF line dancing workshops will be taught by dance instructor and choreographer Julio Ame of Broadway Dance Studio Miri.

Ame, who hails from the Philippines, is licensed under the World Dance Council (UK) in Latin American and Modern Ballroom Dance, and is also a certified Zumba instructor.

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Double the fun as Miri Country Music Fest doubles its days

MIRI: The Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF2017) is back with two days and nights of packed honky-tonk fun for the whole family.

“Mark your calendar for Feb 25 and 26 now as the fourth edition of MCMF2017 promises you an experience of country and western music to remember,” said festival advisor Gracie Geikie in a press conference here recently.

“We are targeting 3,000 audience members for the next edition – an increase of around 20 per cent from last year’s festival where we recorded a total of 2,740 people. Last year, we received a lot of requests and suggestions from the audience, particularly foreigners, for the festival to be extended to two days instead of just one day,” said Gracie.

An outdoor stage will be set up by the coast along Brighton Beach inside ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri–the official hotel of the festival–for the festival which has three international acts lined up to perform: Shane Smith & The Saints (Austin, Texas, USA), James Thomson & The Strange Pilgrims (Newcastle, Australia) and The Casual Ceilidh Band (Brunei).

Smith has been performing around the world and recently released an album titled ‘The Mountain’ while Casual Ceilidh–the only ceilidh band in Borneo and whose members are European expatriates based in Brunei–will offer its unique take on Celtic and country music.

Ceilidhs are traditional Irish/Scottish social events in which audience members dance together in groups or couples to traditional Celtic music.

Local favourite five-piece band Country Road from Miri will also be entertaining the audience during the festival.

“They will be at the upcoming festival roadshow at Level 3 of Boulevard Shopping Complex here on Saturday, Nov 26. The band is set to take the stage from 5pm-7pm,” Gracie revealed.

Also from Miri is The Mountain Wind Band who will be making a comeback at the festival. They are also a five-piece band with members from various towns around Miri.

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Special rate tickets for Miri Country Music Fest 2017 on sale until Sept 30

KUCHING: Tickets for next year’s Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) are currently on offer until Sept 30.

Dubbed the ‘Big Bang Sale’, tickets are offered at special rates of RM55 per day or RM100 for two days for adults while tickets for children are priced at RM35 per day or RM60 for the two days.

Normal rates for the tickets are RM80 per day or RM150 for two days for adults whereas children tickets are priced at RM40 per day or RM70 for the two days.

Each ticket is inclusive of a free drink.

The fourth edition of MCMF will be held at ParkCity Everly Hotel in Miri on Feb 25 and 26 next year.

An impressive list of bands has confirmed their participation at the two-day festival. They include Tantowi Yahya and Friends from Indonesia, Raggy Project (Penang), Russell Curtis (Kuala Lumpur), Shane Smith and the Saints (USA), James Thompson and the Strange Pilgrims (Australia), Casual Ceilidh (Brunei), Adi and Maha (Kota Kinabalu) and Miri’s very own Mountain Wind Band and Country Road Band.

Together, the bands will create another exciting show at the festival, presenting a wide genre of country music like classic, bluegrass, rock and contemporary tunes.

Organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd, the festival will include activities to enhance and enrich the festival goers’ experience at the event.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Special rate tickets for Miri Country Music Fest 2017 on sale until Sept 30

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A smorgasbord of entertainment in store for Miri Country Music Fest 2017

The annual Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) 2017 will showcases a list of bands that includes old-time favourites in the likes of Tantowi Yahya, Raggy and Mountain Wind Band.

The performing line-up is aimed at creating another exciting edition of the MCMF, which will be staged the ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri on Feb 25 and 26, according to the organisers.

The bands are Tantowi Yahya and Friends from Indonesia, Raggy Project (Penang), Russell Curtis (Kuala Lumpur), Shane Smith and the Saints (USA), James Thompson and the Strange Pilgrims (Australia), Casual Ceilidh (Brunei), Adi and Maha (Kota Kinabalu) and Miri’s very own, Mountain Wind Band and Country Road Band.

Tantowi, who has a big fan base in this region, is coming back due to popular request. He will be accompanied by Rani and Friends – another familiar favourite of the MCMF, having performed in several previous editions of the festival.

Other exciting MCMF comebacks are Raggy Project and Country Road Band – both performed in the first year of the festival three years ago, as well as Mountain Wind Band which was featured in this year’s MCMF.

Raggy, who has been appointed the ‘MCMF Ambassador’, performed with another band in 2014. Since then, he has been a familiar face at the festival – both as a performer and a member of the audience.

Next year, Raggy will return with a bigger setup – a five-member ensemble that promises classic country and bluegrass music fans a fun-filled time.

Just like Raggy, Adi Wow also performed with a different five-member band in 2014.

For next year, he decided to appear as part of the duo ‘Adi and Maha’ – a couple of talented musicians from the ‘Land Below the Wind’, set to wow the crowd with their energetic tunes.

Both Country Road Band and Mountain Wind Band will go all out next year at the nation’s only country music festival. Each band will come as a five-member setup.

MCMF 2017 will also feature first-time performances from Russell Curtis, who has been compared with established country singers like Blake Sheldon and Rascal Flatts; and Australia’s James Thompson and The Strange Pilgrims, who had just released two albums.

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Miri Country Music Fest 2017 to attract 3,500 music lovers to Miri

MIRI: Planet Conventions and Events is targeting to attract more than 3,500 festival-goers to the Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) next year.

Its general manager Letitia Samuel said the MCMF, to be held for the fourth time next year, had been scheduled for two days – on Feb 25 and 26.

“Since the festival was introduced in 2014, we have been holding the event for one day. Owing to overwhelming response, we have decided to add another day for the festival next year,” she said during a press conference on MCMF 2017 at ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri yesterday.

Letitia said this year’s MCMF, which was held on Feb 27, recorded 2,740 festival-goers – an increase of 30 per cent versus last year’s 2,100.

“After another good outing this year, MCMF is heading towards being bigger next year. The venue for the festival will remain the same, which is Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri – the official hotel and also the main sponsor of the event.”

Letitia said to cater for the two-day festival and the increasing number of festival-goers, the organiser would be bringing in more international bands, adding that the shortlisted ensembles would include those from USA, Australia, Germany, Indonesia and Brunei. Moreover, there would be more Malaysian bands taking to the stage this time, she said.

“The concept (for MCMF) remains – it will begin with the festival bazaar and a music workshop before the concert in the evening.

“On Sunday, the concert will commence earlier so that the finale can end earlier as well. This is in consideration for the festival-goers who have to go to work the next day.”

In addition to that, Letitia said the organiser would also be planning to include more activities to further enhance the festival-goers’ experience.

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Miri Country Music Festival family strikes chord for country music

MIRI: The sole country music festival in Asia – the 3rd Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) that rocked Miri City last Saturday – has established itself as an important platform to promote country music internationally.

Although only at its infancy stage, being the third edition this year, it continues to attract fans and country music bands besides bringing other spinoff benefits.

A total of 2,740 local and foreign fans came on Feb 28 to the festival, 240 more than 2,500 recorded last year, while 1,700 fans came for the inaugural festival in 2014.

MCMF advisor Gracie Geikie said revenue generated this year was estimated at RM2.1 million and she thanked all for making the event a success. Among those instrumental in the success was festival artistic director Asif Ben Pishori – a multi-talented London-born international jazz pianist at The Klagan Regency in Kota Kinabalu.

“My selection process for an artistic director very much lies in the experience and aptitude not only in the knowledge of music but very much in event arrangements, people management and most importantly the right attitude.

“Our business is in conference events and festivals and every festival requires a different set of framework fundamentals and people to deal with. Asif has a great personality, is a very good musician and composer, amazing singer and teaches music. What more can I ask for,” said Gracie.

thesundaypost recently interviewed artistic director Asif Ben Pishori on MCMF’s development and its prospects in promoting Miri and country music bands from Asia to other parts of the world, particularly in the western world.

Development and response towards MCMF Asif said the response from bands had been overwhelming although initially it was a very challenging task.

“The first year was not easy as I had zero list of bands to select from. I had to reach out to my international network of musicians in Asia, Europe, UK, USA and around the world.

“But after three years of MCMF, the network of country bands has grown tremendously. Thus, I can focus on who are the best groups to perform for MCMF 2017 and beyond,” he said.

Currently, he said there are already around 30 bands keen to perform.

“It seems that every band that came to MCMF since 2014 wants to come back – they love the festival, they are so thrilled and feel proud to have been invited to participate in this festival. We have created a family of MCMF musicians, bands, performers and artistes,

“In 2014, we had eight bands performing, seven in 2015 and another seven this year and they were selected among 57 submissions. Every year, the most popular band of the previous festival will be invited to perform again. To meet popular demand, next year the festival will be held for two days and14 bands will be performing.”

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Miri reverberates with country music courtesy of Miri Country Music Festival

MIRI: Country music reverberated in Miri City on Saturday night during the 3rd edition of the Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) attracting the biggest number of people since the festival was first introduced in 2014.

Advisor of MCMF Gracie Geikie said 2,740 country music lovers including from overseas came for the festival – the only one in Malaysia and Asia.

“Although we fell short of our target of 3,000 visitors, the number was more than last year and was truly was a success, attracting many people including those of Oman, Australia, Brunei, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia as well as local Sarawakians.

“We estimated that this festival generated some RM2.1 million to the local economy especially to those in the tourism related industry, hotels, food and services as well as handicraft,” said Gracie when met by the Borneo Post.

She added feedbacks from the performers too were very encouraging and some of them stayed or came earlier like the Ruby Boots visiting the world heritage site, the Mulu National Park while others toured the city.

Gracie said to meet popular demand, next year the festival would not only be a two-night affair but would have 14 country bands performing.

“Of course, the most popular band will be back and there will be many other side events where members of the public can participate,” she said.

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Miri reverberates with country music

MIRI: Country music remains popular among music lovers around the world despite stiff competition from other genre, especially rock music that appeals to youngsters.

Members of seven bands for the 3rd Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) that begins today fully agree that country music, although many refers to it as old folks music, does appeal to the younger generation.

“In my early days, I struggled to sing country music but over time, I love it and now my wife Le Anne and I earn a living from country music.

“And our fans include family members and children as young as two years old and they dance while we perform,” said Jo-el Ulmer of 2Country4Nashville, USA yesterday during a joint press conference of the performers for the 3rd MCMF.

According to Tantowi Yahya of Indonesia there are also many die-hard fans of country music in the republic.

“The music has evolved over the years, but the style of the singing appeals to the fans including myself. It is almost similar to dangdut,” said Tantowi who is dubbed ‘The most popular country singer in Indonesia’.

Advisor of MCMF Gracie Geikie said history had proven that country music passed the test of time in Miri itself.

“Research conducted before MCMF was initiated in 2014, shows that country music is very much alive and probably promoted by Americans and other expats discovering oil in 1910 in Miri.

“Miri too is very much a country music fan compared to other parts in Sarawak. The Orang Ulu (highlanders) until today are famous for country music and that is why we have the country music fest here,” she said.

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Mirians give the thumbs-up in support of festive events

MIRI: Efforts to organise various festivals including music in Miri City received the thumbs up from many, as they augur well and are in line with efforts to make Miri City a vibrant and preferred resort in the region.

In music, Miri City has three major festivals – Asia Music Festival, Borneo Jazz Festival and the Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF).

MCMF which is held today at ParkCity Everly Hotel, is organised by Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd and endorsed by Miri City Council and supported by ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri, Sarawak Tourism Board, and music portal Rentak Sejuta and Selibriti On Line.

“The business community, especially welcomes festivals like this not only to boost business but also to promote Miri City to the outside world,” said Jee Mui Lan – proprietor of Ming Cafe, Miri that hosted the preview show for MCMF, on Thursday night.

President of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Miri branch Captain Bernard Idit concurred with Jee saying that Mirians welcomed events that help strengthen unity and racial harmony.

“Although the oil price is down and cost of living escalating, Mirians still maintain the spirit of unity and harmony.

Thanks to all the exciting moment in events by MCC and others in boosting the tourism industry particularly with the annual country music festival and other events throughout the year,” he said.

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Miri Country Music Fest ‘over two days next year’

MIRI: Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) will turn into a two-day affair from next year, according to a recent decision made by Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd recently.

Advisor of MCMF Gracie Geikie, who is also the director for Planet Borneo Group of Companies, said the MCMF had been a one-day music festival since it was first organised in 2014.

“We have received feedback from fans, especially those from outside Miri who requested us to make the MCMF a two-day festival instead of one day.

“In reference to the welcome response from fans to the MCMF, we have decided to make the only country music festival in the country from a one-day to a two-day event starting next year,” she announced during a press conference on MCMF at Miri City Council yesterday.

Gracie also promised that the third edition MCMF which is to be held on Feb 27 at ParkCity Everly Hotel will be bigger and better than before.

She said fans can expect another exciting experience for this year’s festival which will showcase country bands from Nashville in USA, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Miri.

These bands she added will entertain festival goers with their rendition of rock, pop, contemporary, bluegrass and folk country tunes.

The organisers expect this year’s festival to attract 3,000 festival-goers locally as well as visitors from Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

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‘Too country’ duo to perform at Miri Country Music Fest next month

KUCHING: Their music has been described as sounding ‘too country’ but the husband-and-wife team from USA, Jo-el and LeAnne Ulmer, have taken that comment on a very positive note.

More so, they even deliberately tried to live up to that description and make the name of the band fitted to it. Thus, the birth of 2Country4Nashville and the duo will be performing at the upcoming Miri Country Music Fest next month.

A press statement yesterday said the musical couple had in fact participated in a reality country music competition and they had made it to the finale. But the judges told them they sounded ‘too country’ for the Nashville music scene; which could be why they did not make a winning out of their performance.

But then they thought it would be nice to just capitalize on their ‘too country’ sound and sing traditional country tunes.

“We want people to know that real country music is alive and well,” said Jo-el who spots the pompadour hairstyle.

The duo who have been performing together for the past eight years have just celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary, and currently, they have their own radio show back home.

Apart from his pompadour hairstyle, Jo-el’s other signature image is his custom-made ‘Sparklecaster’ bright orange guitar, which LeAnne matches with her orange tambourine.

What festival goers can expect from these two performers this coming Feb 27 is their good traditional country music would be blended with their fun personality on stage.

2Country4Nashville together with the other bands promise to put the sparkle and twang back in the country music at the country music festival to be held at ParkCity Everly Hotel in Miri.

The other performers are Tantowi Yahya from Indonesia, Leonard and the Country Riders (Singapore), Ruby Boots from Australia, and from Malaysia are Os Pombos (Kuala Lumpur), Jonathan Tse (kota Kinabalu), and Mountain Wind (Sarawak).

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Future Miri Country Music Festival may be a two-day affair

MIRI: Future Miri Country Music Festival (MCMF) may be extended to two nights if public response continues to climb.

During the inaugural run last year, the organiser expected only 1,500 country music lovers to show up, but 1,920 tickets were sold.

At the second edition on Saturday night, the response exceeded expectations again, so much so that country music lovers yearned for the show to be over two nights.

“If the response continues to be good, we are going to run for two nights. We targeted 2,000 tickets (this year), and we sold 2,000 tickets, but there are walk-ins, too,” said MCMF advisor Gracie V Geikie.

“We have visitors from Singapore, Cambodia and Kuala Lumpur. They travelled all the way just for this. They said that one night was not enough. We will see. It depends on the feedback from tonight’s show,” said Gracie when met before the show on Saturday.

In the end, ticket sales totalled 2,130.

“We are proud and honoured to learn from the US Embassy that Miri Country Music Festival is the only country music festival to be held in South East Asia. This is a pride and honour for Miri, in particular, and Sarawak, in general.”

The festival, organised by Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd, was held at ParkCity Everly Hotel. It featured Kareem Salama from the US, Country Sisters (Czech Republic), Rani & Westom Country Band (Indonesia), Mel & Joe (Singapore), Os Pombos (Kuala Lumpur) and also local talents Hi-breed (Kuching) and Starlets (Miri).

“I have a strong vibe that this festival will continue to grow and become a permanent tourism and musical event for Miri. We also have Borneo International Jazz Festival and Asean Music Festival,” beamed Assistant Minister of Communication Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

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Prizes galore for concert-goers at Miri Country Music Fest

KUCHING: Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd has prepared several attractive prizes for lucky festival goers at the Miri Country Music Fest this weekend.

Among some of the prizes are flight tickets, a hotel night stay as well as dinner and spa vouchers.

Festival goers are encouraged to come dressed in their best Western cowboy attire as the organisers will be awarding prizes to the best dressed cowboys and cowgirls.

Prizes include return flights from Miri to Mulu and Miri to Kuching, with tickets are sponsored by MASWings Sdn Bhd.

Visitors will also have the chance to win lucky draw prizes which include hotel stays and dinner and spa vouchers. The prizes are sponsored by ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri and Miri Marriott Hotel.

The Miri Country Music Fest, held for the second consecutive year, will take place at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri on Feb 7. The festival features seven bands – Country Sisters from the Czech Republic, Mel and Joe (Singapore), Hi Breed (Kuching), Os Pombos Band (Kuala Lumpur), Starlet Band (Miri), Kareem Salama (USA) and Rani and Westom Country Band (Indonesia).

Tickets to the festival are available in Kuching, Miri and Kota Kinabalu. In Kuching, the tickets are available at Utopia (019 8790043), BaramBar (012 8855778) and Planet Borneo Travel and Tours Services (082 241300) while in Miri, the tickets are available at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri (085 440288) and Planet Borneo Travel and Tour Services (085 414300).

Continue reading at: Prizes galore for concert-goers at Miri Country Music Fest

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Starlet Band to play Miri Country Music Fest

KUCHING: The Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) this Saturday (Feb 7) will see the city represented by the all-women Starlet Band, which is known for their infectious beats and enthusiasm on stage.

Regulars in the local music scene, Starlet Band is made up of talented and attractive ladies related to one another, who will showcase their take on country rock tunes.

A press statement said the band will also perform with the sape for a local touch.

Organised by Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd, MCMF will be held at ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri and will also feature Os Pombos from Kuala Lumpur, Country Sisters (Czech Republic), Hi Breed (Kuching), Mel and Joe (Singapore), Kareem Salama (USA) and Rani and the Westom Country Band (Indonesia).

The programme includes a festival bazaar offering wide varieties of food, games and souvenirs; a music workshop; and line dance workshop.

The bazaar will begin at noon, while the workshop is from 2pm to 5pm and the concert stars at 5.30pm.

Held for the second year running, the one-day festival is endorsed by Miri City Council and Malaysia Conventions and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and supported by the Sarawak Tourism Board, United States Embassy, MASWings Sdn Bhd, Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri, BNB Tech and Planet Borneo Travel and Tours Services.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Starlet Band to play Miri Country Music Fest

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Rani and Westom Country Band to entertain at Miri Country Music Fest

KUCHING: Music lovers are in for a treat as the Miri Country Music Fest will feature a whole lineup of outstanding musicians this year.

The festival will see the Rani and Westom Country Band, a popular country music troupe from Indonesia performing at ParkCity Everly Hotel, Miri this Feb 7.

According to a press statement from the organiser, the band infuses heart-thumping dangdut beats into their music, making for a very refreshing and entertaining performance.

“Festival goers can look forward to a great time dancing to our music at the festival this weekend,” said band leader Rani in the statement.

Besides the Rani and Westom Country Band, the Miri Country Music Fest will also include Hi Breed from Kuching, Starlet Band (Miri), Os Pombos (Kuala Lumpur), Mel and Joe (Singapore), Country Sisters (Czech Republic) and Kareem Salama (USA).

Both Hi Breed along with Mel and Joe performed at last year’s event, and their fans should not give their show a miss as both bands were the crowd favorite last year.

Organised by Planet Conventions and Events, the country music festival is expected to attract 4,000 visitors this weekend.

Endorsed by the Miri City Council and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), the festival is supported by Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri, MASWings Sdn Bhd, US Embassy, Sarawak Tourism Board, BNB Tech and Planet Borneo Travel and Tours Services.

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Miri Country Music Fest on Feb 7

MIRI: Tickets are still available for the Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) 2015 to be held on Saturday, Feb 7.

Event organiser, Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd director Gracie Geikie said yesterday: “Tickets are being sold at RM80 per adult and RM40 per child.”

This year, more tickets were reserved by Bruneians.

“The ticket price for adults is inclusive of one beverage while for children is inclusive of a soft drink or ice-cream,” she added.

Country music fans who wish to attend the only country music festival in South East Asia should get their tickets early before they are sold out. The bands promised to wow the audience with their lively and energetic performances.

The second edition of MCMF 2015 this year will feature a total of seven bands of international artistes. Miri’s Scarlet band will represent the resort city as host in the international event with Hi Breed band from Kuching.

The international band line up are Kareem Salama (USA), Country Sisters (Czech Republic), Mel and Joe (Singapore), OS Pombos Band (Kuala Lumpur) and Rani and Westom Country Band (Indonesia).

Continue reading at: Miri Country Music Fest on Feb 7

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‘Czech out’ these funky Country Sisters at the Miri Country Music Fest

KUCHING: The Country Sisters from Czech Republic will be bringing country music from the heart of Europe to this year’s Miri Country Music Fest (MCMF) on Feb 7 at ParkCity Everly Hotel in Miri.

Known for their energetic performance, the six-member band is expected to get the crowd dancing to their funky country tunes comprising traditional western country, rock and roll and their own original compositions.

According to a press statement, each of the band members masters at least two musical instruments and the band has released 14 CDs and three DVDs thus far. The band has also played in more than 2,000 concerts worldwide and receiving numerous awards.

Believed to be the only country music festival in the region, the upcoming MCMF will also feature other well-known country music bands such as Hi Breed from Kuching, Starlet Band (Miri), Mel and Joe (Singapore), Os Pombos (Kuala Lumpur), Rani and the Westom Country Band (Indonesia) and Kareem Salama (USA).

Organised by Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd, the one-day festival is also endorsed by Miri City Council and Malaysia Conventions and Exhibition Bureau and supported by ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri, Sarawak Tourism Board, US Embassy, MASWings Sdn Bhd, BNB Tech Sdn Bhd and Planet Borneo Travel and Tour Services Sdn Bhd.

The day’s programme include the festival bazaar offering wide varieties of food stuff, games and souvenirs, music workshop, line dance workshop and country music concert. The bazaar will begin from noon while the workshop is from 2pm to 5pm.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: ‘Czech out’ these funky Country Sisters at the Miri Country Music Fest

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