Pagoda Beats: This Audio & Experience Design Lab Blends Parties With Tech & Culture

Don’t expect to get the same experience twice at a Pagoda Beats gig (Credit: Sanshray Josyula [left], @_chowmaine [right])

An emerald-hued party cavern sculpted with dancing lights that mirror the reflection of sound waves. A bespoke cocktail den transformed into a rumbly raveground with the sounds of minimal and acid. And a shophouse on Pagoda Street elevated to form the origin story of a new nightlife collective – aptly, the tale of Pagoda Beats.

Formed by the trio of JAS, AMIR and BUCCI – who also happened to meet while working at the same company – Pagoda Beats is an entity that believes in the power of transcendence when it comes to space. They’re well aware that parties are more than what flows through the speakers, but the sensorial experience crafted through visuals, set design, light installations and venue. Pagoda Beats don’t refer to themselves as a band of promoters, but an audio and experience design lab centred around music, tech and culture. And that’s why every new edition carries its own distinctive theme. You’re never getting the same Pagoda fiesta twice.

A Pagoda Beats affair at Jekyll & Hyde (Credit: Ian Koh)

The Pagoda crew is made up of BUCCI, JAS and AMIR (Credit: Various sources)

Rising from the ground up in March 2023, Pagoda Beats has been ascending with an evolving bundle of events in a myriad of locations. It’s since channelled the episodic themes of AWAKENING on Pagoda Street, RUMBLE at Jekyll & Hyde, REVERB at Projector X and for its most recent edition, ECHO at MDLR. Aside from its co-founders who double up as Pagoda Beats’ resident selectors, their events have also featured guest acts such as Knightndae, Nino Blink, A/K/A Sounds, Ulysses and Vaibs, pumping out soundtracks that blend Afrotech, electronica, funky house and hypnotic techno all at once.

“From the moment people walk in, we aim to curate a memorable journey for people to come together,” Pagoda Beats share in a press release. “We spend a lot of time doing site recces in order to choose the most ideal venues for our event themes. We’ve also personally evolved our sounds with each event, and are looking forward to experimenting with new ideas soon!”

It’s a stacked affair at Pagoda Beats, and the towering ambitions of its team can only climb from here.