Baybeats 2021: The Alternative Music Festival Welcomes Audiences Back For Its 20th Year

Baybeats goes big for its 20th anniversary (Credit: Wesley Lim [Ultra Mega Cat Attack], Ryhan Tomita [Pleasantry], Christopher Sim [BGourd], Lenne Chai [Stopgap], Marina A [background])

As a venerable fixture in the local festival loop, Baybeats shoulders a big responsibility this year. Morale in the scene is at an all-time low, and remnants of gig normalcy are still lukewarm at best. Yet Baybeats continues to persevere, building on its legacy that was first established in 2002. It endures to give hope to a frustrated community, scoring a hard-earned victory for a scene that’s been bombarded by a slew of losses. Baybeats assumes the role of a beacon once again, now taking big strides on its 20th anniversary.

Baybeats embarks on the big 2-0, launching a chunky four-day showcase from 4 to 7 November. Just like last year, Baybeats 2021 slips into hybrid mode to accommodate the safe distancing regulations, hosting live gigs with limited audiences that will be simultaneously live-streamed for online viewers. All local performances will be staggered across two stages – the Theatre which simulates the raw aura of the revered Powerhouse stage, and the Annexe Studio which is now running on its fifth year. While the festival will be dominantly local in lineup, it also attempts to preserve its international appeal by featuring overseas bands via pre-recorded sets.

Electrico amplifies the star power of this stacked lineup (Credit: Martin Yeoh, Don Yeo)

To commemorate two decades of local alternative music, Baybeats 2021 has invited a roster of legends to light up the spectacle. These include indie-rock champions Electrico, post-rock stalwarts Amateur Takes Control, post-hardcore icons Caracal, indie-pop veterans Pleasantry, Oi! punk rebels Generation 69 and other big names. Keeping up its annual tradition of budding bands, Baybeats also introduces its list of debuting newcomers: Cactus Cactus, Seavision, Tranquil, Ultra Mega Cat Attack, Woes, and RENE whom we did an interview with. Readers here will also recognise other noteworthy inclusions like the veggie-centric hip-hop of BGourd, and the nostalgic alt-rock of per[sona.

RENE was picked as one of this year’s budding bands (Credit: thevelvetfoxes)

Baybeats has always been connected with its community, and it retains this collaborative spirit on its 20th edition. Baybeats ties up with four prominent local labels and collectives to curate a distinctive programme at the Annexe Studio: Big Duck featuring deførmed, Don Aaron and Ihasamic! X Wovensound; Atmos with Paint The Sky Red, Hardihood and sl_owtalk; Middle Class Cigars with Sobs, Cosmic Child and Kribo Brothers; and Secret Signals with KEYANA, lewloh and Stopgap. The festival is also publishing a four-part episodic series called Add To Playlist produced by NSFTV, which will touch on themes relevant to alternative music.

sl_owtalk joins the festival (Credit: Mish’aal)

Expect the madness of deførmed (Credit: Courtesy of Syndicate)

Sun Eater cranks it up (Credit: @naufworks)

In line with safe management measures, Baybeats will enforce limited capacity rules for its live shows, with audiences required to either be fully vaccinated or tested prior. Registration and non-priced tickets will be open to public in late-October.

Behold: the full lineup over the festival’s four days (Credit: Baybeats)

Baybeats 2021, 4-7 November 2021, The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. For more information on tickets and programme, visit the official website.