Making waves on Desaru coast

Local, international performers and artists highlights at multifaceted festival in Johor

IT was a memorable weekend for Nicholas See as he saw one of his favourite artistes live on stage and enjoyed a relaxing beach getaway with friends in Desaru, Johor.

The Singaporean fashion stylist made his way to the Malaysian state’s coast for the first-ever Ombak Festival, which featured Jamaican-American singer and actress Grace Jones.

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“I am a huge fan, so when I saw news reports of her performing at the festival, I was beyond excited, especially since it was happening nearby.

“Later, I discovered that other artistes I like, such as The Cardigans and Masdo, were also part of the lineup; that made the festival even more enticing,” said the 26-year-old.

Festival-goers enjoying themselves at the inaugural event on Desaru Coast. — Photos: VENESA DEVI/The Star and courtesy of Ombak Festival

See and his friends had made plans to explore the festival together and it was a decision they did not regret.

“We had an amazing time enjoying the music and chilling by the beach,” he told StarMetro when met at the event.

See was among an estimated 5,000 at the three-day Ombak Festival held at Desaru Coast in Kota Tinggi, about 70km from the Johor-Singapore Causeway.

Ombak Festival showcased more than 50 events over three days, including music performances, visual arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities.

See’s friend, 25-year-old set designer A. Abegail, said the festival was a refreshing break from her hectic work life.

The Cardigans rocking out Ombak Festival.

“It was an incredible event, not just because of the music but also for the relaxing atmosphere by the beach,” she said.

However, Abegail felt slightly disappointed as she was unable to explore all the fun and interesting activities.

“Since the festival took place over such a large area, it was difficult to rush from one place to another.

“Some shows overlapped and were far from each other, so I could not check them all out,” she said, adding that she missed out on the Star Wars-inspired wayang kulit.

Nevertheless, Abegail said she would attend the festival again in the future, especially if it was more streamlined to allow fans to check out everything on offer.

For art gallery tour guide Shazlee Aqiel Nazlee Azhar, 25, from Johor, not knowing the artistes performing at the festival was not a reason to miss out.

Beach nights with international vibes featuring Jones (left) and Rodgers (right).

“I gave it a try when I found out there were a lot of activities, especially those involving the arts,” he said.

Shazlee, who was joined by his friends and colleagues, said he found out about the event just days before it started.

“It has been a great experience, but I would love to see even more activities and programmes at future festivals, especially during the day since the major performances were staged at night,” he said.

He also noted that the crowd was smaller than he had expected, but wondered if it only appeared that way because activities were spread out over a large area.

“Maybe it is also because people are just starting to hear about it since this is the first Ombak Festival.

“I hope such events will reach a larger audience, especially internationally, in the future,” Shazlee said, adding that he hoped to see more local businesses involved.

See (left) with Abegail who enjoyed a refreshing break from work.

He believes events like these have the potential to put Johor on the map, attracting both domestic and international tourists.

For engineer Elton Tan, 37, the festival gave him an opportunity to spend quality time with his two young children.

“We rarely get to spend time doing things together and at this festival, there were a few activities we could enjoy as a family.

“My children particularly enjoyed the storytelling sessions, traditional games and even a silent disco,” he said.

Shazlee hopes this festival will reach a larger audience.

Tan, who typically shied away from music festivals, said Ombak Festival was a refreshing change of pace.

“This is my first time attending such an event.

“I hope to see more festivals like this in other parts of Johor, especially Johor Baru,” he said.

Other than Jones, Swedish rock band The Cardigans and Malaysian pop group Masdo, the festival also featured a diverse array of domestic and international musicians.

These included American R&B and soul singer Macy Gray, American musician and songwriter Nile Rodgers, Malaysian rapper Joe Flizzow, sape player and singer Alena Murang, Singapore-based Italian singer Matilde G and Indonesian band Sweet Nightmare.

The festival grounds spanned 1,600ha along the coast, including at hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel, The Westin and Anantara.

Some artworks produced through the ‘waste-to-art’ programme.

Ombak Festival director Karina Ridzuan said the event was part of Desaru Coast resort group’s ongoing efforts to establish the location as a premier destination for world-class events.

“This festival is the first of many efforts to put Desaru Coast on the regional map for memorable events and once-in-a-lifetime occasions in the lead-up to Visit Johor Year 2026,” she said.

She added that the festival exceeded expectations with its ability to draw global superstars and curate a diverse lineup of chefs, artists and children’s programmes, while showcasing Desaru Coast as a premier setting for large-scale events.

“We are incredibly grateful for the trust and support from our festival-goers in making the inaugural Ombak Festival a resounding success,” said Karina.

Beyond the music, the festival also featured visual arts and environmental awareness.

One of the visually arresting creations of Abdul Multhalib.

A key attraction was an art installation by contemporary artist Abdul Multhalib Musa, which captured the imagination of visitors with its intricate designs.

Another highlight was the “waste-to-art” programme, where children worked with local artists to create art using discarded materials, promoting awareness about sustainability and environmental conservation.

The “Shore Debris Table” by Ernest Goh was another noteworthy piece interactively educating the public on microplastics in oceans.

Additionally, the Star Wars-inspired wayang kulit performance brought a modern twist to the traditional shadow puppetry art form, captivating audiences with its blend of pop culture and Malaysian heritage.

The festival village at Desaru Riverside also bustled with activity as people browsed through stalls offering trendy clothing, lifestyle collections and local crafts.