From 12 to 14 September, Desaru Coast became more than just a scenic beachside escape — it transformed into a global stage of sound, spirit, and Southeast Asian soul. Ombak Festival 2025 returned bigger, bolder, and unmistakably rooted, delivering what might just be one of the region’s most ambitious and artistically rich festivals to date.
With a lineup that spanned decades, genres, and borders, Ombak balanced legendary prestige with fresh discovery. Headliners like Simply Red, celebrating their exclusive Asia 40th anniversary show, reminded crowds why timeless soul never fades. Mick Hucknall’s vocals rang clear over Desaru’s night air, as fans swayed to classics like 'If You Don’t Know Me By Now' and 'Holding Back the Years'.
Meanwhile, Joss Stone lit up the stage with powerhouse vocals, raw emotion and radiant control. George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic brought funk in full technicolor — from sky-high heels to blazing brass to unapologetic joy. Their set felt like both a concert and a cosmic ceremony, bridging generations with grooves and glitter. Likewise, Flight Facilities, making their long-awaited Malaysian debut, brought dancefloor euphoria under the stars with a DJ set that shimmered across Ember Beach Club’s sunset skyline.
But beyond the icons, it was the regional acts that carved deep impressions. Phum Viphurit’s funky indie soul proved perfect for golden-hour sets — his fan-favourite hits playing like a warm breeze across a sea of glowing faces. From Singapore, The Pinholes delivered sunshine-drenched retro soul, their '60s charm balancing tight grooves with nostalgic flair. Blackout Agency (featuring Sivanesh, Miss Lil, Zig Zach, and JonnyVicious) lit up the Studio stage with house, hip-hop, and experimental edge.
The spotlight also shone on Malaysian powerhouses. Joe Flizzow, joined by SonaOne and Ismail Izzani, brought the swagger and soul of Malaysian hip-hop to a roaring crowd. Their collaborative energy was electric — a fusion of old-school charisma and next-gen heat. Zamaera, turned her set into a powerful declaration of voice, rhythm, and resilience. Weaving between rap, soul, and garage‑infused R&B, her fierce lyrical delivery and presence commanded attention. Zamaera didn’t just perform — she preached, she connected, she reminded the crowd why her name continues to climb in Southeast Asia’s hip-hop conversation.
Gerhana Skacinta brought pure joy in motion. With brassy, bouncy ska straight out of the Jamaican playbook but lovingly laced with Malay soul, their set was a full-on dance revival. Trombone solos soared, guitars skanked, and the crowd couldn’t resist the groove. Long-time fans sang along to every beat, while newcomers were swept into the rhythm. Their sound, rooted in tradition yet bursting with life, proved just how timeless ska can be when delivered with love and precision.
From Indonesia, TANAYU served contrast — a set full of theatricality and moody elegance. Known for her dark-pop leanings and vocal drama, she turned the Main stage into a whimsical dreamscape. Her storytelling through song was equal parts vulnerable, captivating and commanding — a cinematic journey that lingered long after the final note. A standout among Singapore’s acts was NADA — the audio-visual duo known for their hauntological take on Southeast Asian sound. Their immersive performance turned the Studio stage into a full-blown dangut dance party. "Don't hate, just joget" indeed.
Offstage, Ombak felt like a cultural playground. Gastronomy came alive with curated dining experiences — Sazón Tapas & Grill by Chef Andrew Walsh, Carbon KL’s wood-fired art, and the Flavours of Johor bringing local spice to the festival’s culinary map. Art installations, batik and zapin workshops, vinyl pop-ups, and the buzzing Pasar Seloka market rounded out the weekend, while Ombak Kids kept families dancing with LEGOLAND speed-builds, giant puppets, and fun games.
What truly made Ombak 2025 shine wasn’t just the curation — it was the care. Production quality was consistently high across all stages, the pacing between acts well considered, and the crowd — a mix of local families, culture seekers, and music fans — radiated warmth and respect. As Malaysia gears up for Visit Johor and Visit Malaysia Year in 2026, Ombak Festival has made one thing clear: Southeast Asia deserves a destination festival that reflects its depth, dynamism, and joy. Ombak 2025 delivered that — and then some.
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