Northern Lights: Winter Is Coming To This Inaugural Classical-Electronic Festival

Northern Lights will showcase innovative performances from Aya Sekine, Bards of Neverland, and Intriguant (Credit: OSG, 24OWLS, Matin Latif [foreground]; 24OWLS [background])

Winter is coming to Pasir Panjang Power Station. Gig promoters, 24OWLS, continue their soaring streak of spectacular performances at the colossal industrial venue, and this next one is shaping up to be a whopper. Titled Northern Lights, this is a half-day fiesta that resembles the stature of a music festival, reflecting the seasoned expertise of a team responsible for mega-scale extravaganzas like Alex Blake Charlie Sessions and Laneway Festival Singapore.

The revelation of Northern Lights is yet a glimpse of something more ambitious. It will launch as the inaugural show of a series dubbed Seasons in Sessions, co-conceptualised by 24OWLS and the Tangent Moves collective run by the former’s sister Artist Agency, 19SixtyFive. Seasons in Sessions intends to capture the fleeting yet intoxicating magic of the four seasons through live audio-visual experiences, portrayed by a hybrid lineup of classical and electronic acts.

There are few venues in Singapore that as gigantic as Pasir Panjang Power Station (Credit: 24OWLS)

On the bill is a hodgepodge of debutants and stalwarts, tasked with channelling their interpretations of winter through their idiosyncrasies. Performing for the first time is Bards of Neverland, a classical quartet comprising David Loke and Yang Shuxiang on violin, Jamshid Saydikarimov on cello and Martin Peh on viola. Mentored by Lionel Tan from the esteemed T’ang Quartet, the Bards wish to take audiences on a cross-generational voyage through their Neverland tundra, showcasing traditional and modern-day pieces that include Vivaldi’s Winter 2nd Movement, Philip Glass’ #5, and even pop-cultural surprises from Game Of Thrones.

Red Dot Baroque plays music that dates back to the 1600s (Credit: Bernard Mui)

Another act that’s slated to navigate across the annals of classical music is Red Dot Baroque. Lauded as the official Ensemble-in-Residence at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Singapore’s first professional period instrumental ensemble, RDB is dedicated to preserving the spirit of the Baroque Period as they explore the works of Henry Purcell and other traditional folk songs.

Syndicate honcho, Kiat, will be performing together with Aya Sekine (Credit: Dju-Lian Chng)

But Northern Lights is more than an ode to the past, but an adventure in experimentation. Contemporary performers have been assigned to the roster as well, and it involves several names known for their formula-twisting behaviour. You have downtempo electronica beatmaker, Intriguant; you’ve got the legendary hip-hop turntablist and producer, KoFlow; on board is the ambient-inclined virtuoso, Mervin Wong (FKA Planeswalker), who recently played for 24OWLS’ Flock At The Nest series; and there’s the dream team of Syndicate’s bass-driven chieftain, Kiat, and accomplished jazz pianist, Aya Sekine, together with mesmeric sights from visuals veteran, thesupersystem.

What will KoFlow bring to the equation? (Credit: Dju-Lian Chng)

Mervin Wong returns to Pasir Panjang Power Station after a stunning performance for Flock at The Nest (Credit: Maria Clare Khoo)

And just like every A-grade festival, Northern Lights has an F&B programme that will keep you energised (and in theme) through the half-day revelries. 24OWLS has roped in culinary director and chef, Angela May, to come up with a winter-inspired menu. And on the bevvie list, you can sip on fine premium wines by Penfolds.

Is all this starting to give you chills yet? Through winter and beyond, it looks like 24OWLS is gearing up to bring back festival season – the best kind of season.

24OWLS and Tangent Moves present Northern Lights, part of the Seasons in Sessions series. 1 May 2022, 6pm-11pm, Pasir Panjang Power Station A, 27 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 117537. For more information and ticket purchases, visit this website.