TAPAUfest 2025: A Weekend of Music, Mountains & Indie Magic

By Danial Martinus  •  04 Sep 2025 in Events

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Resort Tasik Raban was alive with colour, sound, and spirit last weekend as over 2,000 festival-goers descended upon the lakeside venue for the 7th edition of TAPAUfest.

Held on 23 and 24 August, the indie festival once again showed us why it has earned its reputation as one of ASEAN’s most beloved creative gatherings, blending music, art, food, and outdoor adventure over two days.

Hosted by Iedil Dzuhrie and Nadia Nash, the festival’s beating heart was PENTAS, its main stage, where local and regional acts brought their best.

A reminder of Malaysia’s (and ASEAN’s) thriving indie scene

Malaysia’s fuzz-laden heroes Raksar set the tone on the opening day, while Jogjakarta’s Skandal made a strong international debut. A particularly moving moment came when Seru x Wani Ardy merged post-rock with poetry, creating something both raw and tender.

Thailand’s KIKI kept the crowd moving with their infectious grooves, while FUGŌ’s set, made even more special by a guest appearance from Heidi Moru, reminded everyone of Malaysia’s thriving indie scene. Closing out the night was Indonesia’s Sal Priadi, whose theatrical performance under Lenggong’s starry skies felt like the perfect finale.

Day two picked up the pace early with Singapore’s Cactus Cactus blasting heavy riffs, followed by Okirama, whose dreamy “healing chairs” soundtrack proved the ideal backdrop to a Lenggong sunset. White Chorus from Indonesia reignited the dance floor, before local favourites Insomniacks got younger fans singing their hearts out.

The evening grew emotional with Perunggu’s anthems, but the moment that defined TAPAUfest 2025 belonged to Malaysian indie veterans Couple. Reuniting their Top of the Pops lineup for the first time since 2006, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with a 14-song set that sent cheers echoing across the lake.

Beyond the music, there was more magic

While music is definitely a mainstay at TAPAUfest, it’s not the only thing people enjoy there.

Festival-goers pitched their tents at Santuy Campsite and Slow Cub Camp, where bonfire performances extended the magic deep into the night.

The festival’s “Warung” and “Pasar”, curated by Pekan Pop Up, served up affordable eats and indie marketplace finds, while the exclusive TAPAUfest × Humblezing merch line sold out almost instantly.

Creative minds gathered at Bengkel for talks and workshops, with sessions like The Struggles of Finding Your Visual Identity featuring voices from Cambodia, Brunei, and the Philippines, and Ada Apa Dengan ASEAN led by regional speakers under the guidance of festival director Ahmad Faris.

Hands-on workshops such as rubber-cut printmaking and zine-making kept many occupied, while the Layar space showcased indie shorts from across Southeast Asia.

This year also introduced KEMBARA, an outdoor adventure programme that gave festival-goers the chance to kayak, hop on boat rides, or take part in sunrise and sunset yoga by Sesi Tikar Mengkuang. Adding to the charm were small touches, like a flautist serenading crowds during golden hour and the thoughtful inclusion of free water refill stations.

“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,” Ahmad Faris reflected.

If you missed out on this year’s TAPAUfest, there’s always next year!

For more events, head to JUICE Malaysia.