Borneo’s biggest ACG orchestra concert set to kick off Sarawak’s concert tourism year this Jan 31

KUCHING (Jan 7): Sarawak’s era of concert tourism is set to reopen this year with Borneo’s largest full orchestra animation, comics, and games (ACG) live stadium concert, marking the first major concert of 2026 at the end of this month.

State Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the ACG Concert 2026, organised by Band Lab and supported by his ministry, will be held on Jan 31 at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya.

“This is the first concert event for 2026 after the countdown. We had a very good countdown, I think you can see that the reception despite the rain, was very well accepted and that reflects that Sarawakians are beginning to appreciate concerts, performing arts and all that,” he told a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur II here.

Abdul Karim described the concert as a bold statement of Sarawak’s readiness and capability to host international-scale stadium spectacles, combining orchestral music with modern pop culture.

He added that the event focuses on building cultural bridges, particularly the Sarawak–Japan Cultural Bridge, initiated through the Sarawak International Band and Orchestra Festival (SIBOFest) first held in 2024.

“About 70 Japanese musicians came to Kuching last year. I was amazed to see how they developed that friendship, performing together at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building and later at the Kuching Waterfront,” he said, recalling the Kuching Waterfront performance that drew an estimated crowd of nearly 10,000.

The collaboration also led to the establishment of Band Lab Japan as an official sister branch of Kuching-based Band Lab, with several members expected to return for this year’s concert.

Abdul Karim also announced that viral Japanese dance group Avantgardey will make their Borneo debut at the event.

“This is a commendable achievement of our local creative scene, integrating a global act of this stature into our local orchestral production,” he said.

He highlighted that such concerts are key drivers of Sarawak’s creative economy and tourism sector.

“We are currently in the era of concert tourism. There will be many performances this year, apart from the Rainforest World Music Festival.

“Pairing international acts like Avantgardey with our award-winning local orchestra positions Sarawak as a premier destination for creative arts in Southeast Asia,” he said.

He also noted that the concert provides young local musicians and technical crews the opportunity to perform at an international standard.

“This is a talent export and capacity building in its most vibrant form,” he said.

Tickets are available online via Ticket2U, as well as through authorised distributor Cat City Holidays.

Concertgoers, including cosplay and anime fans, are encouraged to attend in costume.

“So, January 31, 2026, let us fill Stadium Perpaduan Negeri Sarawak in Petra Jaya and show the world that Sarawak is a place where culture, creativity and friendship knows no bounds,” Abdul Karim added.

Also present at the press conference was Band Lab founder and president Jesmond Siew.