The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions Just Got Bigger – Here’s Everything You Can Expect

The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions will have plenty of spaces and attractions to check out (Courtesy of 24OWLS)

When it comes to sheer magnitude, this all-female music festival has never been shy. The sophomore edition of The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions draws nearer as it once again takes over the gargantuan Pasir Panjang Power Station. And like its monstrous venue, the event adopts a massive format that makes it way more than just a musical jamboree.

The full scale of The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions encompasses a multi-day programme from 21 to 25 February, with a checkpoint-laden string of fringe activities that makes the festival a memorable experience. Get cosy in a pop-up book cafe by Chio Books within the industrial behemoth that is the power station, highlighting a catalogue of works by female authors. Flip through the pages while you sip on cocktails and munch on delectable pastries from Sweet Somethings featuring Ukrainian patissier, Dinara Kasko. This ain’t your average supper club, that’s for sure.

From left to right: Art from Wondebra Loh and Geraldine Lim, and pastries from Sweet Somethings (Credit: Courtesy of 24OWLS)

Or saunter through the imaginarium of EYES on…, a dedicated art lane recognising the craft of artists in diverse fields. Gaze at the drawings and paintings of Allison M. Low, be intrigued by the soft structures of Geraldine Lim, and marvel at the colourful designs of Wondebra Loh. Also exhibited along the art lane are the neuroanatomical structures of Quinatasya, as well as the digital mediums of The Hydrogen Explorer. There will even be an exhibition that celebrates the 20-year career of Kelley Cheng, a champion of the local graphic design scene.

Coming soon to a power station near you (Credit: Courtesy of 24OWLS)

Can you imagine the urban corridors of Pasir Panjang Power Station as a makeshift cinema? Turns out, The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions is collaborating with The Projector to make this fantasy possible. Staggered across 21-24 February is The Best Seats In The House, a series screening films made by women and about women, including exclusive Singaporean premieres. From a biopic about Vivienne Westwood to a documentary on Sinéad O’Connor, these films have received critical acclaim and high praise.

The musical lineup features the likes of Deb Never, Soccer Mommy and Ichiko Aoba (Courtesy of 24OWLS)

But of course, The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions wouldn’t be complete without its signature all-female musical lineup. The fringe events all culminate in the main event on 25 February – a stacked ensemble of local, regional and international acts. Taking the stage, you have the grungy disposition of Deb Never, the indie-rock greatness of Soccer Mommy, the alt-folk whims of Ichiko Aoba, the dream-pop deliveries of Luna Li, the R&B sultriness of thuy, the charismatic pop of Lyn Lapid, and the shoegaze-inflected rock of Singapore’s very own Coming Up Roses.

From left to right: Kylie Nicole, AYA, EJ Missy, Kindergachy and Nicolette (Credit: Courtesy of 24OWLS)

The festival also promises a treat for electronic music devotees. Commanding the decks is Didi Han with her forte in house, and Romania’s Nusha who’s a stalwart in the techno circuit. rEMPit gOdDe$$ represents Malaysia with her hard and turbo bangers, and you have the experimental and unorthodox selections of Kingergachy from the Strange Weather collective. Also plucked from our own backyard is Nicolette, an eclectic selector who’s been making waves in the fashion community. But if that’s not enough local love for you, you’ll wanna swing by a day earlier for The Nest Club Sessions on the 24th. For one night only, the power station will transform into a dingy dance lair featuring blistering techno of AYA, the ghetto-house of Kylie Nicole, and the genre-spanning tunes from homegrown veteran, EJ Missy.

So there you have it. A pop-up bookstore, an art lane, exclusive film screenings and a truckload of musical performances – The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions is raising the bar and you’re all welcome to jump on. And you know what they say, the sequel is always better.

(Courtesy of 24OWLS)

The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions, 21-25 Februrary 2023, Pasir Panjang Power Station, 27 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 117537. Get your tickets here. Follow 24OWLS’ Instagram page to stay updated.