KUCHING: Renowned Indonesian singer Cakra Khan is set to headline Kuching Music Festival 2026 with a special performance featuring popular hits and surprises for fans at Padang Merdeka this Sunday (May 17).
Cakra said he and his team have made thorough preparations to ensure this performance offers a different experience for audiences, especially fans in Sarawak who have consistently shown strong support during his visits.
“Although this is my third time visiting Kuching, this will be my first appearance at a large-scale music festival here.
“So I am very excited to meet fans up close. This Sunday, I will give my best performance and there may even be collaborations with local artists,” he said during a press conference here today (May 16).
The 42-year-old singer said each time he returns to Sarawak, he strives to improve the quality of his performances while appreciating the warm reception from fans, which motivates him on stage.
“The response from fans in Kuching is extraordinary and it gives me even more energy to perform throughout the festival. I will also perform several older songs that fans often request, including the popular track Kekasih Bayangan,” he said.
Cakra also promised to introduce new songs and spend more time interacting with fans during the performance.
“For me, quality and audience satisfaction are always the priority whenever I perform,” he said.
Commenting on his stage preparations, Cakra admitted he still feels nervous before every performance despite his international stage experience.
“Every time I perform at a new place, I still feel nervous. That is why preparation is very important,” he said.
Sharing the surprise elements planned for the festival, Cakra said this performance would focus more on vocal strength and musical quality rather than extreme stage acts.
“If there is a surprise, it will not be something too huge. My focus is on delivering the best musical and vocal performance,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Cakra also shared his routine before going on stage, including ensuring he gets enough rest and enjoying certain foods such as spicy dishes.
“If I have time, I will sleep. That is the best way to recover. I also enjoy eating spicy food such as curry noodles before performing,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to fans who have continuously supported his artistic journey since the beginning of his career.
“I am thankful to all my fans because without them, I would not have reached this stage,” he added.
On possible collaborations with Sarawakian artistes, Cakra did not dismiss the idea but said it would need to go through the proper industry processes.
“There are many plans, but there are processes that need to be followed. I am open to collaborating with any party,” he said.
For the record, Kuching Music Festival 2026 will take place over two days on May 16 and 17 from 8.30pm onwards with free admission, featuring Sarawakian artistes such as OAG, Ramles Walter, Firdaus Materang and renowned Iban singer Melissa Francis on the first day.
The second day will feature Chien Ng, Mal Imran and Carrie Geres alongside Cakra Khan as the main guest artiste.
