SANTUBONG: The jungle roared to life on Friday night as Rock in the Jungle (RiTJ) 2.0 opened with a burst of energy, emotion, and electrifying performances at the iconic Sarawak Cultural Village here.
From the very first guitar riff, the crowd was on their feet, dancing, singing, and waving lights in unison as regional rock icons, Hujan, Nice Stupid Playground, and Indonesian powerhouses Kotak and Gigi lit up the stage.
The vibe was nothing short of electric, with fans of all ages soaking in the music under the starlit sky.
Attendees came from across Sarawak, as well as West Malaysia, Brunei and neighbouring Indonesia, proving the event’s regional pull and growing status in Southeast Asia’s rock festival scene.
The diverse crowd created a powerful atmosphere of unity, celebration, and shared love for live music.
The mood on the ground was nothing short of electric. Fans were seen dancing, singing along, and waving flashlights during emotional ballads and heavy rock numbers.
Social media lit up with videos, selfies, and clips of viral-worthy moments, including the crowd chanting during Kotak’s ‘Berakasi’, and the heartfelt singalong to Gigi’s‘11 Januari’.
Hashtags such as #RiTJ2025 and #SarawakRocks #RockinSarawak and #KotakInTheJungle trended locally, with videos of the crowd singing along to Hujan’s ‘Pagi Yang Gelap’ and Kotak’s high-octane stage jumps going viral within hours, throughout the night.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for, a chance to feel this kind of energy in Sarawak. It’s more than music, it’s a movement,” said concertgoer Nadia from Brunei.
“It’s like a dream come true to have this kind of lineup in Sarawak. I never thought I’d get to see Gigi and Hujan on the same stage here,” said rock fan from Limbang, Gilbson Jeo Anak Rumpang, an editor with a production house.
“To have two nights in a row with such big-name acts is a rare and unforgettable experience, especially seeing Hujan, and them rendering ‘Rahsia Tuhan’, and Jomblo, among my favourites, and their live performance had such intensity.
“The artists didn’t just perform; they connected with the crowd, talked to us, laughed with us, it felt like we were part of something bigger than just a concert,”said entrepreneur Nur Syafeeza Bisnu.
Organisers described the night as “a perfect storm of culture, music and unity”, and praised the crowd for their positive energy and respect for the venue’s sustainability guidelines.
Standout performances included Hujan, with their raw emotion and roaring singalongs with Sarawakian Noh Salleh as their head vocalist.
Opening their set to deafening cheers, Malaysian indie rock heroes Hujan delivered a performance full of nostalgia, energy, and crowd connection.
The moment they launched into their classic ‘Pagi Yang Gelap’, the audience roared back every lyric in unison, a powerful singalong that echoed through the Sarawak Cultural Village.
Frontman Noh captivated the crowd not just with his vocals, but with his heartfelt interaction, saying: “I didn’t expect that we are here along with the international power houses, Sarawak always gives us magic. You all are the reason we keep making music.”
From emotional ballads to explosive anthems, Hujan’s set struck a balance that pulled both long-time fans and first-time listeners into their world.
Besides Hujan, one of Sarawak’s most cherished indie bands, Nice Stupid Playground gave a touch of Borneo Indie soul, and brought a touch of local pride to the stage.
Their set was soulful, intimate, and powerful, with fans swaying along to timeless tracks like ‘Bedroom Window’, a moment that drew loud applause and emotional cheers.
The band’s return to a big stage in their home state was a sentimental highlight for many in the crowd, and a clear reminder of their influence on Malaysia’s alternative music scene.
Meanwhile, Indonesian powerhouses, Kotak and Gigi brought the crowd to their feet.
The night hit peak adrenaline when Kotak exploded onto the stage.
Frontwoman, Tantri had the crowd jumping, fists in the air, and chanting like in a stadium full of die-hard fans. Their high-energy performance, complete with headbanging riffs and audience shout-backs, brought the most electric crowd response of the night.
Meanwhile, Gigi, one of Indonesia’s most respected rock bands, brought a masterclass in musicianship.
Their blend of melodic rock and charismatic stage presence had the crowd waving lights and singing along, especially during their hit ‘11 Januari’, which turned the Sarawak Cultural Village into a sea of swaying lights and emotional faces.
Each act brought something unique to the stage, from Hujan’s raw emotion, Nice Stupid Playground’s nostalgic charm, to Kotak and Gigi’s explosive international energy.
Together, they set the bar sky-high for Night 2, with anticipation building for Japanese rock legends, Loudness, Malaysian-Indonesian rock band Fearless and Sarawak’s very own, Breathe in Ocean.
“It’s amazing to see Sarawak come alive like this. RiTJ 2.0 is more than a concert, it’s about music, community, and cultural exchange in one of the most beautiful settings in the world,” said a spokesperson from the organising committee.
Follow @RockInTheJungleOfficial on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for real-time updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments, and for the photos and highlights from Night 1, will be made available on request or posted on RiTJ’s social media and website.
