The Band Lab was honoured to participate in the grand opening of the What About Kuching (WAK) Festival 2025, an event that celebrated the launch of Sarawak’s premier month-long festival of arts and culture. Themed “Colours of Sarawak,” the launch ceremony highlighted the state’s diverse heritage through a series of vibrant performances and creative displays.

To kick off the festivities, The Band Lab provided a specialised 15-piece wind ensemble that delivered a performance that put a contemporary spin on local traditions.

The repertoire featured Sarawakian staples such as “Bekikis Bulu Betis” and “Anak Kampung,” reimagined with modern wind instrumentation. By combining the powerful, resonant sound of a brass and woodwind section with traditional folk melodies, the ensemble offered a "modern twist" that provided a fresh energy to these beloved classics.

This performance was designed to mirror the festival's mission of creative exploration, adding a new "musical colour" to the Sarawakian landscape.