Three days of high-octane action ended with Mclaren’s Lando Norris winning the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024. Save for a lizard on the track (again) and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s crash during the qualifying session, it was a generally smooth ride for all.
Off track, the entertainment line-up fueled up a sold-out crowd of nearly 270,000 with a mix of rock bands, DJ sets and pop acts. Among the performers on Friday was Indonesian three-piece Voice of Baceprot who proved that they were more than just a novelty hijab-wearing metal band with their aggressive riffs, fierce vocals and a rebel attitude to match. At the Padang Stage, OneRepublic got the crowd grooving with 18 years worth of chart-topping hits such as “Secrets” and “Counting Stars”, never mind that it ended on a rainy note (didn’t we warn you to bring a poncho?).
Saturday at the Wharf Stage was filled with nostalgic tunes, starting with Kool & the Gang, followed by Irish band The Corrs who delighted fans when they revealed that they will return for a full concert next year. Later in the evening, pop icon Kylie Minogue gave a colourful and energetic performance that belied her 56 years (she will also be back as part of her 2025 Tension Tour). The crowd was clearly enamoured with her dance-heavy set that included old and new hits such as “Padam Padam” and “Spinning Around”.
Race day saw a chirpy Dean Lewis who made the occasion a little more intimate with his heartfelt ballads and very well-received covers of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” and Goo Goo Doll’s “Iris”. The party continued at the Padang Stage with a rousing set by Thirty Seconds to Mars. One finally understood the cult-like status of Jared Leto, the charismatic long-haired frontman who emerged onto the stage with a long red robe and shades, and quickly had the audience eating out of his hands. A few lucky fans were invited to join the band on stage as they rocked out to “Rescue Me”. Headliner Lenny Kravtiz, who performed for the first time in Singapore, capped off the three-day event on a high with his signature rock anthems – a fitting end to an exciting race weekend.
All photos by Nida Seah unless indicated.
