Already running in its third year, SINGfest is one of Singapore’s largest music festival, held at the Fort Canning Park. But it’s not just any festival, this festival features some of the world’s biggest performers.
SINGfest 2007 lasted for 2 days and day 1’s performers were mainly catered for the older generation. They included reggae sensation Shaggy, all-time pop icon Cyndi Lauper, American rockers Sugar Ray, legendary british punk band The Stranglers, Denmark contemporary rockers Sasha Bach Band and electric dance duo the Pet Shop Boys.
Day 2 saw a younger crowd and featured Singapore’s very own local act, the Great Spy Experiment and Malaysia’s punk rock band One Buck Short. Of course, international acts such as Avenged Sevenfold, Hinder, the Academy Is…, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, UK band the Noisettes, high-energy band MxPx and Canada’s Crowned King also came out to play and they certainly did not disappoint the high-energy crowd.
SINGfest 2008 also lasted for 2 days and included live performances from international artistes like Jason Mraz, RnB singer Alicia Keys, Stacie Orrico, Simple Plan, the sexy Pussycat dolls, British rock band the Lostprophets and many more. Since it is SINGfest, Singapore’s favourite local bands such as A Vacant Affair, Plain Sunset, and Vertical Rush also joined in on the action. The event turned out to be a major success and drew a crowd of about 17,000 people.
Top to bottom: Pussycat dolls, Alicia Keys, Brandon Urie from Panic! At the disco, Stacie Orrico
Pictures courtesy of Brenda Lee
Sadly, SINGfest 2009 did not manage to happen, probably due to the economic recession.
However, 2010’s SINGfest came out bigger and better than ever before! Instead of the usual 2 day affair, this year’s festival was stretched over a period of 3 days. The acts were even bigger than before. Don’t believe it?
Well, Day 1’s event started with Singapore’s very own local girl Inch Chua, who didn’t fail to warm up the massive crowd. Up next was Californian rock trio The Like. With their cute, little retro outfits, these girls proved that one can rock while still looking cute.
The Like: Annie Monroe (organ) and Elizabeth “Z” Berg (vocals and guitar)
(Photos courtesy of Michelle Lai)
Fellow rocker Orianthi, who, by the way, was handpicked by pop icon Michael Jackson to be the lead guitarist for his This Is It concerts, did a wonderful job performing a few tracks off her latest album, Believe. In addition, she blew everyone’s minds with her signature guitar riffs, which managed to give me the goosebumps, and also made an excellent effort at engaging the audience in sing-a-longs.
Australian singer and guitarist Orianthi
(Photos courtesy of Michelle Lai)
As if things weren’t getting hot enough, sexy Korean girl group the Wonder girls, spiced things up even more with popular dance moves from hit singles such as ‘Nobody’, ‘Tell me’ and ‘So Hot’, not forgetting the occasional love ballads too. They also made an effort to engage the audience with occasional conservations.
Video: Wonder girls performing " So Hot" (writer's own)
Tokio hotel came out next and boy, these German rockers definitely got everybody’s heart throbbing with their rock tracks which included Monsoon, Darkside of the sun, Noise, Automatic and many more, along with the pyrotechnics, props and stunning costumes worn by singer, Bill Kaulitz. The night ended with the beautiful Katy Perry, who rocked the stage wearing what looked like a latex bikini, complete with beach props. She performed hits from both her previous and latest album, such as Ur So Gay, Waking up in Vegas, California gurls, Teenage dream and many more. At one point, she even picked 2 members of the audience to get on stage and dance with her, rewarding them with a kiss at the end of the song.
Pictures of Katy Perry courtesy of Michelle Lai
Picture of Tom Kaulitz and Georg Listing (Tokio Hotel) courtesy of Michelle Lai
Day 2 saw a more contemporary approach with international acts featuring hip-hop icon Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, soulful singer Diane Birch and Canadian R&B singer Jully Black. Day 3 was a day where rockers come out to play as performers included The Smashing Pumpkins, 30 Seconds to Mars, Ian Brown and Hail The Villain, The Vines and more.
Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars (photos courtesy of Michelle Lai)
Ian Brown (photo courtesy of Michelle Lai)
The Vines (photo courtesy of Michelle Lai)
The Smashing Pumpkins (photo courtesy of Michelle Lai)
So what are you waiting for? The previous SINGfests have been nothing short of amazing. Given how huge the performers for SINGfest 2010 were, we predict that next year’s SINGfest 2011 would blow your mind away. Although Singapore maybe a pint-sized country but it sure is packed with all kinds of exciting and colourful sights and sounds. So come visit Singapore and experience all the hype for yourself!
