From Fresly Nikijuluw to Synlen Kastilong: Enlivening the East Indonesia Horizon Festival in Jakarta

Summary of the News: UTIFEST 2025 embodies the spirit of music celebration and solidarity. Spectators, musicians, and all attendees were invited to pray and support the flood victims in Sumatera. This moment also serves as a grand celebration of the East music culture that is increasingly dominating the entertainment industry in the country. TRIBUNNEWS.COM, JAKARTA – The euphoria was present thanks to the uproar of the Ufuk Timur Indonesia Festival (UTIFEST) 2025. The music concert held at the Hockey Field of GOR Soemantri, South Jakarta, became a sea of euphoria on Saturday night. More than five thousand spectators overflowed to enjoy the energetic performances of dozens of musicians from East Indonesia, bringing authentic, emotional, and unifying musical colors. The festival, which this year carries the spirit of music celebration and solidarity, presents a lineup of top artists from East Indonesia. Big names like Doddie Latuharhary, Fresly Nikijuluw, Juan Reza, Jackson Zeran, Justy Aldrin, Vicky Salamor, Toton Caribo, Ona Hetharua & Hillary Pattikawa, Frans Sisir, Yochen Amos, Synlen Kastilong, Gerson Rehatta, and the group GAME performed hit songs that made the audience sing without interruption. Guided by the special trio of MCs Arie Kriting, Reindr Lawalata, and Asyifhas Hetyan, the UTIFEST 2025 stage not only became a concert venue but also a grand celebration of the East music culture that is increasingly dominating the direction of the country’s entertainment industry. One of the most lively moments came when the Governor of North Maluku, Sherly Tjoanda Laos, also attended among the audience. She was welcomed with applause as she appreciated the success of this festival in raising the voice and identity of East Indonesian music. ‘Who do we want to see tonight? Who is here? There’s Dody Latuharihari, he has a voice that reaches the heart, doesn’t he?’ she said when giving her speech that night. On that occasion, Sherly also expressed her pride in the development of East music, which is now increasingly recognized nationally. ‘We want to show that it is time for East music to dominate the Indonesian music world. Agreed?’ she said. ‘We are different, we have been celebrating in our own way, expressing ourselves in our own way. All our song lyrics are honest, authentic,’ Sherly said.