We’ve already had a good year of concerts, with acts like Madonna, Death Cab For Cutie, Tame Impala, Flying Lotus and Take That gracing various music venues in Singapore. But it’s only going to get better. With fresh voices, new material and heavy doses of nostalgia coming your way, here are 11 concerts that you might want to consider going for before the year ends.
Ronan Keating (Aug 24)
Famously known as the former lead singer of Irish band Boyzone, Ronan Keating has definitely come a long way since he embarked on his solo career. He’s putting up a special acoustic performance this month, performing songs from his 10th album, Time of My Life and a selection of his iconic hits like “When You Say Nothing At All” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes”. Tickets are $74 from Resorts World Singapore. 7.30pm, Universal Studios Singapore.
Simple Plan (Sep 5)
No longer just kids, this energetic Canadian pop-punk quintet will be back in Singapore with their newly released fifth studio album, Taking One For The Team. Aside from new tracks like “Singing in the Rain”, expect your favorite classic chart-toppers like “Perfect” and “Addicted”. Tickets are $138 from Sistic. 8pm, The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, Singapore Resorts World Sentosa.
Elvis Costello (Sep 11)
If you grew up listening to your parents’ records, then you’ll know who Elvis Costello (real name Declan Patrick MacManus) is. More than just a musician and singer-songwriter, Costello presents his songs and stories in a candid, retrospective performance on this tour, celebrating his musical career of more than 35 years. Tickets start at $48 from Esplanade. 8pm, Esplanade Concert Hall.
Yuck (Sep 13-14)
Like many independent bands in the scene, Yuck recorded their first studio album in a house belonging to a band member’s parents (talk about DIY and low costs) and released it under the Fat Possum Records label. It later received rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and NME. This self-titled album really put Yuck on the map, and they’ve been going strong ever since, touring with biggies like Modest Mouse, Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Tickets are $55 from Peatix. 7.30pm, Hood Bar and Cafe.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Sep 20)
They came on the scene with the phenomenal single “Thrift Store” three years ago, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the first song since 1994 to do so without the support of a major record label. Now, the Grammy-award winning hiphop duo will be here to amaze us with tracks off their sophomore record This Unruly Mess I’ve Made and other hits. Tickets start at $68 from Sistic. 8pm, The Star Vista.
Bring Me The Horizon (Sep 27)
Later this year, Fort Canning will bear witness to a night of killer riffs and towering vocals as the flagbearers of modern British metal take the stage with their number one hit single, “Drown” and more tracks from their new studio album, That’s The Spirit. Tickets are $108 from Sistic. 8pm, Fort Gate at Fort Canning Park.
Morrissey (Oct 15)
After all the rumours, it was finally confirmed that the former Smiths frontman will be back in Singapore. He played a bunch of his solo work as well as some hits from The Smiths’ repertoire at his sold out show back in 2012 at Fort Canning Park, which was voted as the “Best Concert of the Year” by the Straits Times. We won’t be expecting anything less when he takes the stage at Marina Barrage later this year (fingers crossed we get to weep over “Everyday is Like Sunday” and “You Have Killed Me”). Tickets are $108 from Sistic. 8pm, Marina Barrage.
Mayday Parade (Oct 16)
Seems like our little island is a magnet for rock bands this year, with the boys from this American rock quintet joining the party at the newly opened dance club Luxi at St James Power Station. They’ll be performing tracks off their fifth studio album, Black Lines such as “Letting Go”. Tickets are $79 (early bird price) and $89 (standard) from Upsurge Productions. 7pm, Luxi, St James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway.
Daniela Andrade (Oct 17)
Who doesn’t love a good cover? Canadian singer-songwriter Daniela Andrade gave us goosebumps with her raw, stripped-down acoustic covers (and originals) on YouTube, which have amassed more than 300 million views and built a loyal international fanbase. She’ll be here in October, making her Singapore headline debut for The Gathering music series. Tickets are $98 from Apac Tix. 8pm, Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 606.
Scorpions (Oct 21)
These old school German rockers are still loving you. They’ll be returning to Singapore after 15 years for their 50th anniversary tour, belting out famous anthems like “Wind of Change”, “Rock You Like A Hurricane” and “No One Like You”. Tickets are $98-$168 from Sistic. 8pm, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre Level 6, Hall 601 – 604.
A1 (Oct 22)
For those who remember collecting Smash Hits posters of this noughties English-Norwegian boyband, be prepared for a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Ben Adams, Mark Read and Christian Ingebrigtsen will be reuniting for a “Greatest Hits World Tour” in October. Live renditions of oldies but goldies like “Same Old Brand New You” and “Like A Rose” will make this one-night-only showcase a real #throwback. Tickets are $78-148 from Sistic. The Star Theatre, 1 Vista Exchange Green.
