Karina: "We are turning up the volume with three dynamic stages" (Photo: SooPhye)
Options: Congratulations on the second edition of Ombak Festival this month. Tell us what attendees can look forward to most, besides the world-class acts of Simply Red and Joss Stone.
Karina Ridzuan: Apart from the international celebrities, I must say our Southeast-Asian line-up this year is truly an all-star show. Headlining are Thailand’s Phum Viphurit and, of course, our very own Malaysian talents Joe Flizzow, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani. Joining them are Singapore’s The Pinholes, Indonesia’s Diskoria and Tanayu, and Cambodia’s Vanthan. Together, they represent the region’s vibrant creative forces.
How different will Ombak 2025 be from the inaugural event last year?
Definitely going bolder and bigger this year. We are turning up the volume with three dynamic stages. Kicking things off will be the Village Stage, open to all at the buzzing Festival Village. Once you step into the main festival grounds, we, of course, have our massive Main Stage, while the Studio Stage, our swing stage, will keep the show going with non-stop, back-to-back performances and zero downtime.
For our young festival-goers, Ombak Kids is back and bigger than ever. Our whimsical Funfair of Forgotten Future will expand its imagination while skills get tested at the Legoland Speed Building Challenge. Our endearing festival-commissioned 10ft-tall puppets, Meera & Fiz, by Thailand’s renowned Nice Monster puppetry studio will also keep them entertained while returning favourites like Go Fly Kites and the super-sized garden games by Meraka Games promise hours of joy. And because Ombak is a festival for the whole family, parents can truly let loose knowing their kids are well taken care of. Our partner KiddoCare is back with trusted childcare services, plus little ones can enjoy a dedicated Kid Deck at the festival grounds, so they get their own special space to play, explore and soak in the magic.
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How did you select the acts and activities?
We wanted to build on our intentionally diverse ethos for our second year, hence a bolder vision and broader scope … one that bursts with Southeast Asian soul, also to honour Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship. We want to intrepidly represent the best of the region by uniting global icons alongside regional talents, all coming together to stage an unparalleled experience of live music and all the activities over the festival weekend.
What about Ombak are you looking forward to most?
There’s a reason it is called the Ultimate Weekend, as it provides a perfect canvas against which family and friends can enjoy themselves. Likewise, I am looking forward to meeting up with friends and family, discovering new music and artistes, enjoying good food, exploring the arts and, hopefully, scoop up some artisanal buys.
So, what’s going into your weekend holdall?
Comfortable shoes! Expect lots and lots of walking, which also means it’s an enjoyable way of getting the steps in daily. Definitely sunscreen, sunglasses and my trusty bucket hat. We expect to be blessed with lots of sunshine; so, come prepared for the midday performances at the mainstage area. I also think those mini portable and hanging neck fans are absolute genius. I will be investing in a few of those this year.
What insider tips can you give festival attendees?
Download the Ombak Festival app and familiarise yourself with the layout and schedule of performances and activities. Arrive early, secure a nice spot on the mainstage area, lay down your picnic mat and simply embrace the friendly atmosphere.
What other festivals have you attended before?
I really enjoy attending festivals for the atmosphere and variety, with the immersive experience being second to none. I love what Kuching does for the Rainforest World Music Festival, and Jakarta’s Java Jazz Festival is also pretty iconic. Singapore used to run an annual lifestyle festival called the Sun Festival, and Margaret River in Perth used to have a gourmet festival called the Gourmet Escape, a farm-to-table celebration. All were good experiences.
What would be the dream festival, though?
The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. A boutique festival, it was founded in the 1960s as a shared platform for new musicians and legacy acts. Despite the name, it’s not only about jazz but a wide, wide variety of music. Of course, being on the shores of Lake Geneva is also a huge draw.
You have been to many concerts. Tell us about some of the most memorable ones.
I was 15 when I attended the Miami Sound Machine at Stadium Negara, 38 years ago. It was my first concert; so, that will always be special to me. Also Elton John in Hunter Valley, Australia, doing his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour just two months before the Covid-19 pandemic shut the world down.
It is poignant, as we were yet to realise how much the world was about to change.
What songs do you always have on repeat?
That’s tough, as I listen to all sorts of music. My sons are the ones hugely responsible for introducing me to new artistes and genres, but the old playlist stalwarts will always remain: Quincy Jones’ Back on the Block, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Paul Simon’s Graceland. All played in order and in its entirety. Complex, lots of layers and hummable.
Why do you think enjoying live music and performances is such an important pillar of life, especially post-pandemic?
Performances are great because it’s 50% what happens on stage, 50% how the audience reacts. This is special and bespoke, individual each and every time. It is essentially a conversation, a connection between performer and audience. In a world where so much is produced for social media, spontaneity and live experiences are to be cherished.
How will you reward yourself after seeing the second Ombak Festival through successfully?
It will be watching Oasis live with my kids in Melbourne come November! I never thought I would get to see them performing together. And, oddly enough, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? is our unofficial family soundtrack album!
Ticketing details here.
This article first appeared on Sept 1, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
