Grace Jones to perform in Malaysia at Desaru Coast’s Ombak Festival

Alongside Jones, Grammy award-winner and R&B legend, Macy Gray, will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of her debut album on the festival’s main stage. Swedish alt-rock band, The Cardigans, adds to Ombak Festival’s star-studded lineup and will be performing their cult classics for the first time in Malaysia. 

See also: Dua Lipa returns to Kuala Lumpur this November 

In a recent announcement, Ombak Festival has also added Nile Rodgers & Chic to its lineup of headliners. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Rodgers has received six Grammy Awards for his influence on disco, soul, rock, and funk genres and was named one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone. Rodgers will perform alongside Chic, best known for their funk-disco hit, Le Freak. 

The festival’s distinctly Southeast Asian flair is epitomised by its lineup of regional acts, spotlighting a series of performances by Alena Murang, renowned for championing Dayak artistry; Thee Marloes, an Indonesian soul-funk trio; and Singaporean pop icon, Aisyah Aziz. 

Adding to the festival’s full lineup are celebrated local artists, Joe Flizzow, Zainal Abidin, and Alextbh alongside Quantic, a renowned English DJ, recording artist, and musician. 

Music continues beyond the main stage, taking to the beach with Nanyang jazz by The Shang Sisters and WVC Jazz, Latin rhythms by Havana Jazz Tumbao, and DJ sets by Güpson Pierre and Disko Santan. 

Ombak Festival’s culinary offerings take festival fare to new heights, spotlighting the expertise of local chefs and mixologists in resort-wide kitchen takeovers. One & Only Desaru Coast’s Ember Beach Club will give attendees a taste of its acclaimed signatures while some of the city’s best bars and restaurants will make their way down to the beach. 

Carbon KL’s grilled seasonal fare and Feliz’s vibrant Peruvian plates are to be expected. Over at the bar, guests can sip on festival-exclusive, Bornean-inspired creations by Reka:Bar and Vér The Bar at Nadodi complemented by small plates from Chocha Foodstore. 

Plates from Chinatown’s Yellow Fin Horse and Food Fiction by REXKL are also to be expected at the festival. 

Don’t miss: Shaken, not stirred: A guide to martinis in the Klang Valley

Here are all the kitchen takeovers and exclusive dining events to look forward to: 

September 13

• Welcome BBQ by Carbon KL and Reka:Bar - Beachfront, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
• Ombak Supper Club with The Stars by Yellow Fin Horse - Observatory Bar, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

September 14

• Ember Beach Club Brunch by Chef Andrew Walsh - Ember Beach Club, One&Only Desaru Coast
• Kitchen Takeover by Carbon KL - Kedidi, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
• Latin Street Flavours by Feliz - Beachfront, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort 
• Slip and Swim by Carbon KL - Kedidi, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort 
• An Exploration of Nusantara Cuisine with Khir Johari and Chef Adu - Turmeric, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
• House of Qureshi by Chef Ahsan Ali Qureshi - The Els Club
• Flavours of Borneo by Reka:Bar, Ver, and Chocha Food Store - Observatory Bar, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas

September 15

• Ember Beach Club Brunch by Chef Andrew Walsh - Ember Beach Club, One&Only Desaru Coast
• Street & Beats: The Best of Johor Street Food with Chef Adu & Kenji Law (DJ) - Turmeric, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas
• Kitchen Takeover by Carbon KL - Kedidi, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort
• Slip and Swim by Carbon KL - Kedidi, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort 
• Latin Street Flavours by Feliz - Beachfront, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort 
• Flavours of Borneo by Reka:Bar, Ver, and Chocha Food Store - Observatory Bar, Anantara

Intricate art installations will line the festival grounds in a celebration of Southeast Asia’s creative arts scene, from metal sculptures by acclaimed contemporary sculptor, Abdul Multhalib Musa, to an interactive exhibit by artist and photographer Ernest Goh.

Ombak Festival will also house two marketplaces of Southeast Asian fashion and lifestyle collections curated by Dia Guild and locally crafted designs by Lokal Market. 

Guests can make the most of the festival weekend by opting for in-destination packages with stays at Desaru Coast’s four resorts: Hard Rock Hotel, The Westin, Anantara, and One&Only—all of which are just a stone’s throw away from festival grounds. Each package is inclusive of festival passes, selected food offerings, and access to Ombak Kids, the family-friendly fringe event designed for younger guests. 

NOW READ

5 picturesque marathons that take you through Asia’s most beautiful locations, from Japan to China

Everything you need to know about the Ambani wedding in July

Binge-watching ‘Bridgerton’ on Netflix? 6 things to know about Regency-era jewellery