After Two Years, DJs In Singapore Are Finally Coming Back To Work
DJs can now take one step closer to normalcy (Credit: Wendy Wei)
Two years. DJs in Singapore have had to suck it up for two years without the opportunities to perform on the decks in front of live audiences. It’d been a wrath documented like a nightmare on repeat. No matter how hard selectors tried to push for compromise, the act of live mixing was shunned by the authorities as a high-risk taboo topic lest they – god forbid – trigger another outbreak. It’d been an unfounded concern that garnered scorn and ridicule from the nightlife community, but finally, it looks like we can begin to breathe easy.
The sliver of relief comes from the recent wave of positive news regarding the loosening of restrictions. From 29 March 2022, the group limits will increase to 10, alcohol sales will carry on past 10.30pm, and the screening of live broadcast programmes and recorded entertainment can resume. And for musicians, the biggest hoorah comes from the long-awaited announcement that live performances can return at all venues, including outdoor busking and F&B establishments.
Places like Vertigo 26 are about to have a new breath of life with these loosened restrictions (Credit: Vertigo 26)
It’s within this last update where DJs are now able to find some respite, in spite of a continued ban on nightlife establishments; although it is claimed that the prospect of its reopening is being reviewed. While you won’t spot a DJ helming the decks of a club or festival just yet, you might begin to catch one at a dining setting near you. The allowance of live music in F&B venues has provided an avenue for selectors to curate a live ambience for guests in attendance; after all, being a DJ has never just been about cranking it up to 11, but organically constructing a vibe.
Previously, it’d been banned to stand in a booth and mix music using decks, even if the tunage at hand didn’t fall under the typical understanding of ‘dance music’. Any DJ will tell you that live feedback from an audience – even a seated, dining one – makes a world of difference. And this new loosened restriction is one step closer to restoring the status quo.
As you’d expect, clubs-turned-F&B venues have already hopped on this jubilant change of the tides. Institutions like Headquarters (Upstairs) have already announced that live DJs will be making their return, albeit to socially distanced settings. Capital Kitchen by Zouk was quick to schedule its programming on the first week of this new norm, with its resident DJs bringing back Zouk-themed nights like TGIW and Mambo Jambo. Vertigo26 dropped the jolly news that it was extended its opening hours, and Don Ho has revealed that it’s bringing music back to its Ladies Nights. Other venues that have followed suit in this gradual reawakening include Rumours Beach Club, 1880, and Mandala Club, and you can be sure that there will be more on the horizon.
And even freelance DJs have taken to social media with optimistic vigour, expressing that they are already receiving gigs or that they are open to bookings in the months to come.
All of this is merely skimming the surface, but one can truly sense an energy of rejuvenation that’s permeating through the air. We’re not in the green just yet, but this is a hefty win that the scene has desired for far too long. Next step: to bring back our electronic scene to its full glory.
(Credit: Headquarters/Upstairs)
The new loosened restrictions kick in from 29 March 2022. You can read more about the full list of updates here.
