“Borderless Creativity” Takes Center Stage at Rise of The Sneakers 2025

7th May 2025 EDT FEATURES

“Borderless Creativity” Takes Center Stage at Rise of The Sneakers 2025

Creativity, culture, and commerce converge, with cross-disciplinary collaborations uniting music, art, and design.

Batam’s Rise of The Sneakers (RoTS), the Indonesian city’s annual celebration of street culture and creativity, will return to Grand Batam Mall from 31 July to 3 August 2025. Organized by Simplemind Communication, this year’s event embraces the theme “Borderless Creativity”, aiming to break down barriers and unite creative communities across disciplines.

RoTS has established itself as a nexus for the city’s creative circle, gathering artists, designers, musicians, and innovators. The 2025 edition continues this tradition, inviting participants to explore new perspectives and foster collaborations that transcend traditional boundaries.

Notable Guests and Performers

The event will showcase prominent national figures such as M. Jupaka (Business Development), Dede Hamzah (Creative Director), and Yoseph Putera Soesanto (Founder) of UNERD, a local Indonesian footwear brand.

Also joining are B-Girl Sherly, who will showcase her skills in a guest battle, Robby Wayudi (Co-Founder of Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair), and Dochi Sadega, musician, fashion enthusiast, and member of Pee Wee Gaskins.

Local talents such as Most Deep, Erwin SB, DJ SBX, Brohell, and others will also take the stage, highlighting Batam’s thriving music scene and reinforcing the event’s commitment to celebrating local culture.

The Killer Gerbil

Rise of The Sneakers 2025: Borderless Creativity

This year’s major highlight is the collaboration with internationally renowned Singaporean artist The Killer Gerbil, who has been celebrated since 2003 for his iconic character. His involvement marks a significant step in RoTS’s move toward a more expressive and collaborative visual direction, reflecting the event’s borderless ethos.

The event’s hallmark, Giant Shoe Box, returns. This interactive installation invites visitors to step inside and engage with creativity in a unique, hands-on way.

RoTS also renews its partnership with SelasARS (a Batam-based young architects’ community) and UNERD. The trio launched a shoe design competition open from 27 April through 30 May, with the top three designs to be produced as prototypes and displayed during the event.

RoTS Run x Runnin’ Dads & Dudes with New Balance

Continuing last year’s momentum, RoTS Run x Runnin’ Dads & Dudes returns with support from New Balance. After a successful debut in 2024, this year’s run aims to attract up to 500 participants across 5K and 10K categories. The event promotes a healthy lifestyle and serves as a space where the creative and athletic communities intersect, embodying the spirit of Borderless Creativity on the move.

RoTS Art Market

For the first time, RoTS will host an Art Market of local and international artists, supported by the Jakarta Illustration & Creative Arts Fair (JICAF), further strengthening the event’s commitment to accessible, real-world art experiences.

Since its inception, Rise of The Sneakers has grown from a local initiative into an inclusive platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration, spanning music, art, and design. The event continues positioning Batam as a regional hub for creative exchange, breaking down barriers and fostering a dynamic, ever-evolving ecosystem that unites local and international cultural elements.