Word On The Beat: A Trance Titan Arrives, A Jazz Club Wakes Up, A Mega Festival Returns & More
In case you haven’t heard, the scene is waking up (Credit: Various sources)
Since the return of live gigs and parties in Singapore, the scene has come back alive with a palpable buzz. Do you hear the chatter? Can you keep up with this fresh wave? Word On The Beat is a round-up that keeps you in the loop.
Trance icon, Paul van Dyk, returns to Singapore
The gargantuan halls of Marquee are brimming with the energy of packed crowds once again since the superclub reopened on 1 July. And to sustain the momentum of its hype-garnering comeback, it’s busting out the big guns with the invitation of giga-sized international names. On 16 July, the 2,000-pax party space welcomes trance titan, Paul van Dyk. An enduring pioneer of the genre, the German icon is revered for his almighty uplifting melodies and progressive textures. His Marquee appearance marks his return to our shores since his last gig at Zouk in 2019.
Paul van Dyk: Off The Record, Marquee Singapore, B1-67 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972, +65 6688 8660. Tickets are still available at the door.
IGNITE! Music Festival is fully live for the first time in two years
With live gigs back with a vengeance, the big names of the local festival circuit are rising to the occasion. Leading this passionate resurgence is IGNITE!, the student-run festival that’s been organised by the young folks of Republic Polytechnic since 2008 – read our interview with the IGNITE! organising team. Happening on campus grounds on 29 and 30 July, this massive undertaking will be its first fully live event in two years – it’s had to adopt a hybrid format due to restricted measures – but it's also much more than that. This iteration of IGNITE! is the festival’s 15th year anniversary, and it’s commemorating the milestone with a diverse two-day lineup that includes The New Modern Lights, Feez, ShiGGa Shay, Saints Amongst Sinners, Tell Lie Vision, Layyi, M1LDL1FE and more.
IGNITE! Music Festival, 29-30 July 2022, The Republic Cultural Centre, Republic Polytechnic, 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964. Visit its Instagram page for more information.
ke’lektiv shines the spotlight on local DJs with its sophomore season
Remember a time when we could only watch our favourite local DJs online? While party culture suffered for over two years in Singapore, digital shows like ke’lektiv held the fort and gave selectors an avenue to perform. Launched in the beginning of 2021, ke’lektiv kept the torches lit with its regular programming of homegrown DJs and a wide melange of genres. While parties might’ve returned, ke’lektiv continues to exhibit the staggering diversity of talent from our city. Now on the second episode of its sophomore season, ke’lektiv broadcasts another stacked show on 11 July, showcasing a roster of familiar and up-and-coming names for seven uninterrupted hours of house, techno, electronica, ambient and beyond.
ke’lektiv Sessions 2.2, 11 July 2022, 4pm-11pm. Watch the episode on YouTube.
The music has finally returned to Blu Jaz Cafe
The harsh wrath of the pandemic devastated countless live music venues, including beloved institution, Blu Jaz Cafe. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the renowned jazz club has been revived to do what it does best. With live music performances back on track, the bastion of jazz at Bali Lane is back on form as a platform for extraordinary virtuosos in the genre. Blu Jaz Cafe officially launched its “rebirth” on 24 June, and it’s since hosted bands such as The Greg Lyons Quartet and The Darren Moore Trio. Ongoing live events in the Jazz Loft currently require tickets to be bought in advance, so make sure you’re prepped before swinging by the establishment. But in its Neon Lounge, however, it appears that Blu Jaz Cafe has also resumed DJ gigs that explore hip-hop, dancehall and Afrobeat, and these are free of charge.
Blu Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848, +65 9199 0610. Visit its Instagram page for information on events and tickets.
Baybeats wants you to shape the future of the scene
While Baybeats is primarily known as an alternative regional music festival, it’s also a platform for education and growth. First established in 2002, the annual Esplanade event has been running mentorship programmes that inspire new generations of contributors to the local music scene. Not only does this include the Budding Bands programme – which has produced successful outfits like Coming Up Roses, cues, Cactus Cactus and Disco Hue – but also programmes for emcees, photographers and writers. Together, these programmes help buff up the infrastructure of the scene to aid its sustainability. If you’re keen on helping out the scene and honing your skills, Baybeats has extended its open call for applications to 11 July, 11.59pm. Want to shape the future?
Visit the Baybeats website for more information on programmes and how to apply.
