After its grand success last year, East Malaysia’s largest music festival, the Borneo Sonic Music Festival (BSMF), returned with a bang last weekend! Drawing in 10,000 fans on the first night and 20,000 on the final night, the BSMF team once again showcased their exceptional skill in curating a line-up that made the festival an unforgettable experience.
The first night was filled with Korean energy, as top acts like Junny, Yoon Seobin, GOT7’s Youngjae, and the iconic Rain took the stage. Junny was the first Korean performer of the night, stepping up after Priscilla Abby’s performance. He immediately captured the audience’s hearts with soulful renditions of his hits like “Rush,” “Aura,” and “Taste.” In total, he performed eight songs, including “Movie,” “Optimist,” and ended his set with the popular “Invitation.”
Following Junny, Yoon Seobin brought his own flair to the stage. Debuting in 2021, Seobin showcased his impressive talents in both singing and dancing, thrilling the crowd with tracks like “Rizz” and “Square.” He also impressed fans with a charming cover of “I Love You 3000.” Seobin’s energy and engaging performance kept the crowd cheering and left a memorable mark on the night.
Next came the much-anticipated performance of GOT7’s Youngjae, and the atmosphere in the stadium reached new heights as his fans, known as Ahgase, lit up the venue with their green Ahgabong lights. The excitement was palpable even before he appeared on stage, with the crowd already screaming his name. Youngjae delivered a powerful performance, starting with “Vibin” and continuing with fan-favorites like “Tasty,” “Focus,” “Do It,” and “Flower,” before closing with a high-energy rendition of “TPO.” His stage presence and vocal prowess kept the crowd on their feet throughout his entire set.
The final performer of the night was none other than Rain, whose legendary stage presence brought the crowd to its feet. The stadium atmosphere was electric as Rain opened his set with “Gang,” followed by hits like “Hip Song,” “I Do,” “30 Sexy,” “It’s Raining,” and “Rainism.” The most anticipated moment of his performance came when he interacted with the crowd, hyping them up for the infamous “LA Song.” He led the audience in chanting the song’s hook before delivering a thrilling performance. As a bonus, Rain showed off his famous abs during his dance breaks, sending the fans into a frenzy.
Between performances, the festival kept the audience engaged with a host of interactive activities. One of the standout experiences came courtesy of Skechers, one of the festival’s major sponsors, who made sure to keep the fun going beyond the stage. Visitors to the Skechers booth were treated to games, giveaways, and photo ops with posters of Cha Eun Woo, adding a playful, fan-friendly atmosphere to the event. Skechers didn’t just stop at showcasing their hot new Skechers StreetTM Tres-Air Uno and Skechers StreetTM Uno Chaos collections—festivalgoers could participate in a lucky draw and win exclusive merchandise such as 30% voucher discounts for their next purchase. Attendees were also invited to snap photos with Skechers’ exciting displays and share them on social media for the chance to win prizes. It was more than just a booth—it was a full-on Skechers experience.
The second day of the festival began bright and early with the Skechers Borneo Sonic Run at 7 a.m., promoting their Skechers Max Cushioning Collection. The run attracted a large number of locals, who participated in various race categories. After the run, Skechers continued to entertain visitors at their booth with interactive games and more chances to win prizes, making sure that even the fitness fanatics got in on the fun.
As evening fell, the concert kicked off once again, attracting a crowd of 20,000. The second night’s line-up featured major names like Judika, Yuna, Dolla, and many others, but the night’s true highlight was the final performer, Jessi, who flew in all the way from Korea. Jessi wowed the crowd with her energetic personality and stunning stage presence. Dressed in a striking yellow outfit, she opened her set with “What Type of X,” followed by hits like “Gucci,” “Smoke,” “Cold Blooded,” and “Gum.” True to her style, Jessi interacted with her fans, known as Jebbies, throughout the performance. She took selfies, accepted fan gifts, and even learned how to say “I love you” in the Sarawakian dialect.
Though Jessi shared that she wasn’t feeling her best before flying to Kuching, the positive energy from the audience gave her the strength to deliver an outstanding performance. She closed her set with her viral TikTok hits “Zoom” and “NUNUNANA,” with fans singing along to every word. Before leaving the stage, Jessi promised to return to Malaysia for another concert soon, much to the delight of her fans.
Jessi’s farewell marked the end of the two-day Borneo Sonic Music Festival, an event that was undoubtedly a huge success. From the incredible performances to the hospitality and atmosphere in Kuching, the festival truly stood out as one of the best in Malaysia. Special thanks go to Skechers, whose presence didn’t just enhance the event but made it interactive and memorable for all attendees. Their latest collections—Skechers Street™ Tres-Air Uno, Skechers Street™ Uno Chaos, and Skechers Max Cushioning—were prominently featured and introduced through exciting booth activities, making sure that festivalgoers not only enjoyed the music but walked away with cool memories (and maybe a new pair of shoes!).
In conclusion, the Borneo Sonic Music Festival and Skechers’ Borneo Sonic Run 2024 were massive hits, leaving fans excited for what next year’s event will bring!