KUCHING: Despite hazy skies over the city, the spirit of rock burned brighter than ever as more than 1,000 concertgoers gathered at the Waterfront Esplanade for the opening night of Rock-in-the-City (RiTC) 2026, marking the highly anticipated return of one of Borneo’s favourite rock festivals.
With the Air Pollutant Index (API) fluctuating between 160 and 180 throughout the day, fans arrived in band tees, some wearing face masks, determined not to miss the long-awaited celebration of live rock music on Saturday night.
As the lights dimmed and guitars echoed across the Sarawak River, the haze became little more than a backdrop to an unforgettable night of nostalgia and high-energy performances.
Formerly known as Rock-in-the-Jungle (RiTJ) and previously held at the Sarawak Cultural Village, this year’s festival entered a new era as Rock-in-the-City, bringing the concert into the heart of Kuching for greater accessibility and convenience for rock fans.
Festival director Sunil Mohd Pauzan said the move was a deliberate effort to reconnect the festival with its loyal audience while strengthening Kuching’s position as a music destination.
“Rock music has always had its own loyal following in Kuching. Even though we celebrate many different music genres today, the rock community has never disappeared. We wanted to bring the festival back to where the fans are, right here in the city, so more people can relive the memories, discover new bands and celebrate the spirit of rock together,” said Sunil.
He said the festival also carries a bigger vision beyond entertainment.
“Our vision is to make Rock-in-the-City a signature music festival that showcases local talent alongside regional acts from Borneo and Southeast Asia. We want Kuching to be recognised not only as a cultural city, but also as a destination where great live music thrives.”
Earlier in the evening, members of the media attended an exclusive Meet-and-Greet session with the performing bands at the Sadong Room, Grand Margherita Hotel, ahead of the concert.
The opening night featured an international lineup comprising Peterpan from Indonesia, Post Mortem Education from Kuching and Secret Signal from Brunei, reflecting the festival’s cross-border celebration of Borneo’s rock scene.
Peterpan brought waves of nostalgia to the crowd, performing many of the band’s beloved hits that had fans singing along from beginning to end. The evening was made even more memorable with a special appearance by local vocalist, Zah Amirul, who joined Peterpan on stage for a collaborative performance that drew thunderous applause.
Brunei’s Secret Signal delivered an electrifying set with powerful vocals and commanding stage presence, while hometown heroes Post Mortem Education proudly represented Kuching’s vibrant local rock community.
Held over the National Day weekend, RiTC 2026 brings together musicians from Sarawak, West Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, creating a platform that celebrates regional musical collaboration while uplifting Sarawak’s live music industry.
The festival continues on Sunday with performances by Fearless (Indonesia/Sarawak), Barbarik (Kuala Lumpur) and Senseless (Kuching).
Organisers expect around 2,000 attendees over the two-night festival and encourage rock fans not to miss the finale.
The organisers also expressed their appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU), Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), TVS, strategic partners, sponsors and supporting agencies for making Rock-in-the-City 2026 possible.
