At every ZafigoX, it’s not just the speakers who will inspire you. Alongside the presentations, panels, and workshops, performances add an extra dimension that brings ZafigoX’s theme to life through sound, movement, and storytelling. This year’s lineup is nothing short of amazing, featuring spoken word, contemporary wayang kulit, experimental music, and traditional instrumental sounds.

ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration is happening 11–12 October 2025 at Menara KEN TTDI, Kuala Lumpur. Here’s who you won’t want to miss:

Melizarani T.Selva
Spoken Word Poet & Writer

Malaysian spoken word poet, writer, and playwright Melizarani T.Selva has made her mark on regional and international stages. Her debut poetry collection, Taboo, boldly interrogates the Malaysian Indian identity. Melizarani’s work has been published by Penguin and Mekong Review, and staged at the Singapore Art Museum. She has also co-edited the anthology The Second Link, co-published When I Say Spoken, You Say Word!, and written plays such as Kudumbam and Kathi, which have been performed in Malaysia and Singapore. Currently, she is developing new work under Wild Rice Theatre’s New and Now programme in Singapore.

At ZafigoX 2025, Melizarani will bring her signature fire to the stage with a spoken word performance, weaving personal history with sharp social commentary. Expect a raw yet lyrical journey through identity, belonging, and memory, crafted with the intimacy of poetry and the power of theatre. Her words are sure to linger long after the final line, setting the tone for a weekend of courage, connection, and creativity.

Munirih Jebeni
Choreographer, Musician & Educator

With over a decade of experience across performance, choreography, and production, Munirih Jebeni is a force in Malaysia’s cultural scene. Hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, and proudly Sea Dayak, she has represented Malaysia on international stages while championing local traditions through her work. As founder of Talent Fluent Enterprise, she specialises in Sarawakian dance, music, and fire performances, seamlessly fusing heritage with innovation. Beyond her accolades, Munirih’s artistry is rooted in her commitment to celebrating and sharing the cultural richness of Borneo.

Her performance, Sape’: The Sound of Borneo’s Soulstrings, introduces audiences to the evocative melodies of the traditional boat-shaped lute of the Orang Ulu. Once central to healing ceremonies and community gatherings, the sape’ today bridges generations with its warm, melodic tones that carry the spirit of the rainforest and the folklore of its people. Munirih’s performance at ZafigoX will be both a celebration and a reminder of how music connects us to our past while resonating powerfully in the present.

The Wayang Women
Multinational All-Female Wayang Kulit Troupe

The Wayang Women is an all-female, multinational collective that’s reinventing the ancient art of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) for today. Comprising artists from across Southeast Asia and beyond, the ensemble draws on puppetry, poetry, music, and movement to create performances that are as dynamic as they are defiant. By blending traditional instruments with electronic beats, vinyl, and contemporary narratives, the troupe challenges the male-dominated history of shadow puppetry and reclaims the art form with bold new stories.

For ZafigoX 2025, their performance Wayang Women: Hantu Tetek & The Ghosts Your Grandmother Warned You About will reimagine female ghost folklore from across the region. Using shadow play, haunting live music, and original spoken word, they’ll channel the grief, rage, resilience, and laughter embodied by these mythic figures. It’s a performance that will both haunt and empower—an unforgettable showcase of women’s voices breaking through shadows.

VIONA
Lyricist, Composer & Producer

Best known as the creative force behind The Venopian Solitude and now their solo project VIONA, Takahara Suiko has been composing, producing, and storytelling through sound since 2009. With over 200 songs and two full albums released, their music has travelled from Netflix’s Shirkers to acclaimed films like Suatu Ketika and theatre projects such as Pohlithik and Mentega Terbang. Whether as a lyricist, composer, or collaborator, VIONA’s work stands out for its conceptual depth and ability to blur boundaries between tradition and modernity.

VIONA will perform Resam, a reflection on tradition, inheritance, and modern identity. Resam, a Malay word that evokes custom and cultural practice, becomes a lens through which VIONA explores how heritage is carried into contemporary life. Audiences can expect a sonic tapestry that merges electronic textures with lyrical storytelling, asking how the old continues to shape the new—and how the new, in turn, redefines the old.

These performers are just a taste of what’s in store at ZafigoX 2025: Acceleration. Don’t miss your chance to experience it all live. Early-bird tickets are still available until 31 August at only RM280 for a Full Experience Pass. Head on over to zafigo.com/zafigox to secure yours now.

(Note: Surprise! Early-Bird Tickets have been extended until 12 September. Don’t miss this extension and grab your passes NOW. )

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE