KUALA LUMPUR – More than 2,000 festival-goers from Malaysia and across Southeast Asia descended on Tasik Raban recently as TAPAUfest 2025 transformed Lenggong, Perak into a vibrant celebration of music, arts, food, and outdoor adventure.
Now in its seventh edition, the festival – held on August 23 and 24 – has evolved into one of Asean’s most distinctive indie gatherings, bringing together artists, filmmakers, and creators from across the region.
With its lakeside setting and backdrop of Lenggong’s mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage site – the event offered a cultural experience that blended heritage, community, and contemporary creativity.
Festival director Ahmad Faris said the growing international participation reflected TAPAUfest’s mission to foster cross-border collaboration.
“The community has grown bigger this year with ASEAN, and it’s exciting to experience the magic that happens when the indie community—local and regional—works together for a cause we all share and truly care about,” he said in a statement.
Musical highlights across two days
Hosted by Iedil Dzuhrie and Nadia Nash, TAPAUfest’s main stage, PENTAS, featured a dynamic line-up.
Day one saw fuzzchor heroes Raksar fire up the crowd, while Jogjakarta’s Skandal made their international debut.
A post-rock and poetry collaboration between Seru x Wani Ardy brought something unique, Thailand’s KIKI delivered high-energy grooves, and Malaysia’s FUGŌ shared the stage with Heidi Moru. The evening ended on a high with Sal Priadi’s theatrical set.
Day two opened with Singapore’s Cactus Cactus, followed by Okirama’s “healing chairs” soundtrack during sunset. Indonesia’s White Chorus reignited the dance floor, before Insomniacks drew huge sing-alongs with their younger fans.
Emotional peaks came with Perunggu’s anthems, but the loudest cheers went to Malaysian indie veterans Couple, who reunited their “Top of the Pops” line-up for the first time since 2006 in a special 14-song set marking their 30th anniversary.
More than music
Festival-goers also had the option of extending their stay with two nights of camping at Santuy Campsite and Slow Cub Camp, complete with bonfire sessions and sunrise yoga by Sesi Tikar Mengkuang. A flutist’s sunset serenade and the new outdoor programme KEMBARA – which included kayaking and boat rides – added to the festival’s immersive experience.
The festival grounds were also alive with Warung (food and beverage) and Pasar (indie marketplace) curated by Pekan Pop Up, where exclusive TAPAUfest × Humblezing merchandise quickly sold out.
Bengkel (talks, workshops) and Layar (film screenings) further broadened the scope, with highlights such as “The Struggles of Finding Your Visual Identity” featuring Eng Lyna (Cambodia), Chipzat (Brunei), and Tricia Solanga (Philippines), and “Ada Apa Dengan ASEAN” with speakers from across the region.
Hands-on workshops included rubber-cut printmaking and zine-making, while the SEA Short Film Festival showcased works from Vietnam, Myanmar, and beyond.
A growing cultural destination
With Asean and Tourism Malaysia as main supporters, alongside the Youth and Sports (KBS) Ministry, Impact Integrated, and the Lenggong District Council, TAPAUfest has positioned Lenggong not just as a heritage town but as a rising hub for contemporary arts and cultural exchange. – September 2, 2025