Amidst Mist and Rain, Forestra 2025 Creates a Magical Atmosphere

BANDUNG - A magical atmosphere once again reigned at Forestra 2025, held on Saturday, August 30th at Orchid Forest Cikole, Lembang, Bandung. Beyond the music, visuals, and visions, the event also stirred the audience with prayers and hopes for Indonesia, which is currently in turmoil.

The event, held in a commercial forest area, aimed to restore the essence of orchestral instruments made from wood to the forest. In collaboration with Greenpeace Indonesia, Forestra 2025 was designed with environmental and natural concerns in mind.

The event proceeded without diminishing empathy for those fighting for justice. Performing musicians, including The Panturas, Voice of Baceprot, Iksan Skuter, and Sal Priadi, shared their grief with the audience over the passing of Affan Kurniawan, an online motorcycle taxi driver who was killed during the demonstrations in Jakarta.

Jay Subyakto served as a guest speaker in a discussion session moderated by Soleh Solihun and Vincent Rompies. As curator and visual director, he shared the spirit and identity that Forestra carries on its fourth tour.

"There are many great Indonesian musicians who often play abroad but are rarely known. It's not just about popularity; those who perform at Forestra are those who speak the truth, are original, and must be Indonesian musicians," he said during the session.

As evening approached, the audience flocked to the Harmoni area, which boasted a magnificent main stage. The Panturas were the first to take the stage, bursting with energy, despite the light rain splashing on them and the instruments.

They paid tribute to Affan Kurniawan, who died while earning a living. The touching song "Sunshine" served as a tribute to the deceased.

Next, Iksan Skuter's performance was equally heartwarming. From the melancholy strains of "Bapak" and "Pulang," he also sang loudly through the song "Partai Anjing," prompting the audience to join in. He presented a sweet touch through Indonesia Pusaka, a hope for a better Indonesia.

The main performance, scheduled for 7:15 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time), had to be postponed due to increasingly heavy rain and thickening fog. Around 8:30 PM, the rain eased, allowing Erwin Gutawa and the orchestra to showcase their talents.

The Erwin Gutawa Orchestra began with a gripping, atmospheric, and mysterious composition. Simultaneously, a mist descended, enveloping the stage and audience, with lingering raindrops. A magical and majestic atmosphere was simultaneously created.

Several collaborators took turns performing their songs collaboratively with the orchestra, including Ensemble Trikoro, Raja Kirik, The SIGIT, Bernadya, Voice of Baceprot, Sheila Dara, Sal Priadi, and Reza Artamevia. Many memorable stories and memories made this concert one of the best performances in terms of concept, stage design, and performer curation, balancing entertainment, artistry, and originality.

As Jay Subyakto stated, he hopes Forestra will maintain its identity as a performance concept going forward. He dreams of bringing this concept to forests and other tourist destinations in Indonesia to provide the ultimate performance experience, both audio and visual.