Does The Return Of F1 Singapore Bear Positive Implications For The Music Industry?

F1 is coming back this year, but what does this mean for the music industry? (Credit: F1 Singapore)

It looks like the F1 Singapore buzz still has some gas in its tank after all. A prestigious global affair that helped put the city on the map year after year, the Singapore Grand Prix pulled the plug in mid-2020 in light of the pandemic. The last race was scheduled for 20 September 2020, and its termination marked the first time the event had been cancelled in 12 years since its debut in 2008. But for now, it appears that the roar of these supercars will resound through the metropolis once again, and it’s going to happen this year.

The race organisers and Singapore Tourism Board have announced that they have renewed their partnership for another seven years from 2022 to 2028; the fourth contract renewal for Singapore overall. The race is currently scheduled to go on from 30 September to 2 October this year. This is obviously a big win for F1 junkies, but the F1 hype has always flourished beyond the tracks. F1 season is a boon for the local economy as a whole, especially for the tourism and lifestyle sectors that benefit from the influx of international visitors. The announcement’s press release states that the race has generated more than S$1.5 billion in incremental tourism receipts since its debut, and attracted more than 550,000 unique international visitors. The whole city logically comes alive to cater to this swell in demand, and for the music industry, it’s a chance for it to capitalise as well.

Is it too early to celebrate? (Credit: F1 Singapore)

The return of the race this year could have positive implications for the music industry. The Singapore Grand Prix is reputable for triggering a bonanza of gigs and parties that’ve become legendary in our community. Who could forget when The Padang was stuffed with a sea of crowds watching the likes of Kylie Minogue, The Killers, Fatboy Slim, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Queen + Adam Lambert? Clubs, livehouses and lounges also rev up their programming during this season, with events that range from swanky shindigs for VIPs to under-the-radar raves for the more discerning. It’s a chance for pop-up locales like Podium Lounge and Amber Lounge to flash their big guns, and existing establishments to flex their expertise for global clientele. For businesses, it’s a golden opportunity for fluid revenue generation and brand exposure. And for fans, it’s just a good ol’ ball of a time.

To allow the return of the F1 race in Singapore is to potentially allow the return of such musical avenues albeit on a much smaller scale. It represents an acknowledgement that it’s time for our city to be the way it was. The notion of nightlife in Singapore is often discredited or misunderstood by the authorities, but it drastically becomes something of merit whenever F1 season kicks in, thanks to its global appeal (Singapore Tourism Board should be grateful) and the business it rakes in. Nightlife is a definitive cultural anchor for any major city, and to deny its existence or beneficial impact is dangerously insular. If F1 Singapore 2022 can become the catalyst for the authorities to bring our music back, then by all means, let them start their engines.

Even if the entertainment does come back, it’s going to be a far cry from this scenario (Credit: F1 Singapore)

“The Singapore F1 race continues to be a strong focal point for tourists, global events and business meetings,” declares S Iswaran, Minister for Transport & Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, in the press release. “The renewal will help sustain Singapore’s reputation as a global city with a vibrant lifestyle, attracting international visitors as travel rebounds, and generating business revenue and jobs for Singaporeans.” Hopefully, this doesn’t leave our struggling music industry out of the equation. It’s suffered long enough, don’t you think?

For more information on the Singapore Grand Prix in 2022, visit its official website.