How Do Local DJs Feel About The Conditional Return Of Nightlife In Singapore?

DJs in Singapore have had mixed feelings about the loosened restrictions for local nightlife (Credit: Various sources)

It’s been a roller coaster of emotions these past couple of days. 29 March 2022 introduced a victorious development to the scene when it was announced that live music was allowed back in all venues. This loosened restriction was celebrated by DJs and establishments islandwide, as it meant that they could finally return to work albeit in socially distanced settings.

It was a turning point that finally restored some sense of freedom to a shackled community; a welcome reparation to the damage that’s been done. With their lives reverting back to normal, homegrown DJs have been quick to share their reactions to this wave of relief.

“I finally feel human again!” expresses a jubilant Daryl Knows who curates the soundtrack at Offtrack. “For me, it’s not just about getting a job back, it’s also my support system. There are so many aspects of my life that are deeply ingrained in music and the music scene. I hadn’t really felt like myself since the lockdown.”

“We need this more than ever.” – Daryl Knows (Credit: Collective Minds / Kilo Lounge)

Indeed for many, the return of DJ-ing has helped beyond the professional capacity. It’s also been instrumental in healing the city’s soul, and its effects are already visible.

“The relaxation of restrictions has invigorated the city,” Daryl continues. “I’ve probably seen more smiling faces in the week since the rules were lifted, than in the last two years. With everything happening around the world, we need this more than ever.”

Already in the past week, DJs have been quick to return to the decks of F&B establishments. And while it might not possess the same energised ambience of a club, the dining format has not been a hurdle for selectors when it comes to expressing themselves. In fact, DJs have shared that they’re still allowed to play their signature sounds, and audiences – even the ones stuffing food in their faces – are happy to eat it up.

Zafirah performing at The Great Grill Out (Credit: Guinness)

“Pure joy” is the elated emotion felt by Zafirah, who’s already been booked at F&B venues like Don Ho on Wednesdays and 1880 on Thursdays. “I’m extremely delighted to be back and playing for a crowd again. It feels like a whole new world, with people waking up from a long slumber. I’m looking forward to the coming months! Summer of love is here,” she shares. “I have been very lucky with the F&B venues that have asked me to play. They are fully aware of my sound and what I bring, and they have given me full creative license to do what I want.”

This sentiment is also shared by veteran DJs like Sivanesh. Since the return of performances, he’s been booked at several F&B-inclined venues for the month ahead, including CÉ LA VI, Mandala Club, Rumours Beach Club, Panamericana, and Neon Pigeon (together with Jamie React of TropicLab). The club isn’t the only environment where he can let his wings soar.

For Sivanesh, he can finally return to his former full-time job as a DJ (Credit: Manifest)

“Having been a full-time DJ for 10 years before COVID struck, I have extensive experience in setting the ambience and curating playlists for various F&B establishments,” Sivanesh elaborates. “Though a club and a restaurant are two different situations that require separate solutions, I am confident that I will be able to express myself well in both settings.”

The fact that F&B venues have embraced DJs back with open arms is certainly reassuring, but the positive news doesn’t stop there. Just as the scene was still coming to terms with these fortunate circumstances, it’s been blessed with another overdue win.

Partying is officially ‘back’ in Singapore, but it won’t look anything like this (Credit: Ice Cream Sundays)

In another official announcement, it’s been revealed that all nightlife businesses will be allowed to fully reopen from 19 April 2022. After more than two years, dancing will finally return to clubs and discotheques – yes, it’s a statement that still feels surreal. The light at the end of the tunnel seems to be finally here, and it hopes to illuminate the future of institutions that have either pivoted or laid low.

Understandably, this abrupt yet much-appreciated announcement took many by surprise. Promoters, who have been feeling mild whiplash from this jerky series of announcements, are beginning to navigate the waters to find the best avenue for their events.

“The news about reopening of clubs comes as a huge relief for everyone in the nightlife industry and workers,” explains Adrian Wee who runs Eatmepoptart. “For most of us, we'll now be building up from ground zero to grow our shows and the community. We've witnessed a huge number of outlets close down during the pandemic, and I am looking forward to see what new and exciting spaces open over the next months.”

Adrian Wee AKA weelikeme has plans to bring back Eatmepoptart events (Credit: Eatmepoptart)

Adrian has been preparing for the long-awaited return of Eatmepoptart, the beloved party series known for its alternative anthems. As it turns out, he’s already planned two events in April and May with confirmed venues in the pipeline. However, he still prefers to remain cautious about the road ahead. “It'll be pretty emotional for me to finally perform again since 2020. I'm happy about it of course, but I am tightly keeping my fingers crossed that this doesn't roll back to the dark ages and it only gets better from here on. I'm taking my time to discuss with the outlets and get back to the decks. I only want a perfect setting for our punters,” he explains.

Adrian’s pragmatic way of thinking is relatable, and surely, all good things tend to come with a catch. The return of nightlife activities is swarmed with numerous caveats that are off-putting for business owners and punters alike. Masks must still be worn and a safe distance of one metre must be maintained between individuals or groups (no larger than 10). But the rule that’s been generating the most chatter is the need for supervised ART tests that must produce a negative result within 24 hours before clubbing. You’re probably already groaning just thinking about these rules, and you are definitely not alone.

As a veteran with over three decades of experience, Aldrin is more apprehensive about the pesky conditions (Credit: Zouk Singapore)

“Although the latest news that nightlife will finally reopen on 19 April is enthusiastically welcomed, why put a mask-on rule on dancing?” asks Aldrin, who’s shaped the industry for over 30 years. “You don't ask participants of Spin Cycle or HITT classes to wear masks. Please don't tease us with breadcrumbs. As long as only fully vaccinated patrons are allowed entry, there's absolutely no reason for any mask-on or social distancing requirements. Judging from the last two gigs I played since the lifting of the ban on live music, nightlife can be back to pre-COVID normalcy.”

There is also an air of trepidation amongst veterans who are concerned about the logistical costs of enforcing all these rules. “Although F&B establishment restrictions are being relaxed, I worry that the supervised ART test protocols may be a difficult cost and time challenge for venues who have already been so financially battered by the past two years,” shares Amber H, whom you can catch at Upstairs at Headquarters. “I wish there was more we could do to support these venues and their owners.”

Amber H had been performing weekly live-streams for Essential Clubbers Radio, prior to the return of live DJ sets (Credit: Kilo Lounge)

Despite these pressing concerns, local DJs are relatively optimistic that things in the scene will go up from here. “The worst days of the pandemic are behind us, which means we can responsibly relax the strict regulations on licensing, opening hours, and number of people at venues where DJs used to have live sets,” Amber continues. “It doesn’t matter where the live audience is. It’s all about the people and the energy of the crowd. It won’t be long until Singapore returns to the vibrant and diverse nightlife it had before COVID.”

This surge of positive developments seems to be flowing at a rate that’s fast and furious, and it’s definitely an acceleration that’s making headway. The cup has filled from completely empty to half-full, and one can only hope that the scene continues to stay afloat from here on.

“To think that all of this was actually unimaginable just a week ago, only speaks to how unexpected the loosening of restrictions was for a lot of us,” concludes Sivanesh, “I have been a different person since the news was released, and judging from the vibes of everybody I’ve met while out in the city this past week, it’s safe to say the energy of the country is finally coming back.”

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