District M: There’s A Free Two-Day Music Festival Happening In The Marina Central District

District M features performances from [clockwise] Tim De Cotta, Ginette Chittick, RENE and KoFlow (Credit: Various sources)

Still buzzing after the roaring F1 festivities, Singapore’s Marina Central district is about to get another jolt of electricity with this inaugural event. Cleanly titled District M, the two-day festival is an effort to position the district – the nexus of Marina Square, Millenia Singapore, South Beach and Suntec City – as a must-visit destination for people seeking business and leisure. In this regard, District M is leaning heavily on the latter to produce a full-fledged music festival across four stages.

“Feel The Rhythm” is the theme that runs through this event, amplifying the pulse that resonates through the city. It’s not every day you find a mall that’s willing to host performances from local live acts and DJs, so witnessing a multi-mall endeavour like District M is a breath of fresh air. Helping to make this rare prospect a reality is the team from 24OWLS, comprising the trendsetters who helped put The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions and Laneway Festival Singapore on the map. With such expertise backing this event, it’s no surprise to find a lineup that’s diverse and risk-taking.

LAYYI, ATTAGIRL! and Corinne May (Credit: Courtesy of District M)

Charlie Lim, grentperez and DJ Shota (Credit: Courtesy of District M)

At The Deck (Marina Square), visitors can expect a tranquil acoustic retreat with stripped-down showcases from the likes of beloved crooner Charlie Lim, soul warrior Tim De Cotta, pop-rocker RENE and the folk-inclined lewloh. The Fountain Stage (South Beach) delivers a melodic theatre with a more jazz- and classical-focused ensemble, featuring Corinne May, Bards of Neverland, Lorong Boys and more.

For more ebullient pop rousers and indie anthems, check out the Music Piazza (Suntec Plaza) for a sonic soiree led by household names such as Budak Pantai, Shye, Sezairi and Ginette Chittick. And if electronic ventures are more your cup of tea, you’ll wanna wheel yourself over to the Wagon Park (Millennia Walk) for a curation of vibrant vibes featuring hip-hop icon KoFlow, neo-classical experimenter Mervin Wong, the bass-inclined ATTAGIRL! and the house-slash-disco tunage of Ice Cream Sundays. The Wagon Park also features the debut of DJ Shota from Japan, an award-winning turntablist who’s clinched championships in DMC Japan.