Esplanade’s biggest gathering of local and regional alternative bands returns in July

The 16^th edition of Esplanade’s annual alternative music festival Baybeats is back this Jul 14-16. Alongside 23 local bands and musicians performing, five regional bands will also be taking the stage to play everything from psychedelic rock and folk to blues and punk across four stages at Esplanade, including at the new Annexe Studio.

Esplanade has always been a great supporter of all things local, bringing together new faces in the local music community, performing alongside vets who’ve been doing it for many years. Fuzz pop quintet Obedient Wives Club will be making a comeback with some great new material (check out their new single “Baby Bye Bye” from their upcoming five-track EP Cinematica), as well as five-piece post-hardcore outfit Villes, who recently released their debut full-length album The Cure last month, the ethereal sounds of Astreal, post-rock quintet under KittyWu Records, Amateur Takes Control, alternative soundmakers sub:shaman and many more.

This year’s Budding Programme sees a total of seven bands that were shortlisted after a round of closed-door auditions that took place over the past few months. These guys have gone through a series of workshops by industry pros to help them enhance and better their skill, including a drums workshop with one of Singapore’s top drummers, Adam Shah, and a vocal workshop with sultry sing-songwriter (and head honcho for Lush 99.5’s programming) Vanessa Fernandez.

Among them, we’re really excited to catch Subsonic Eye perform live. This alternative dream pop band that formed just two years ago has had appearances at Subculture by Fred Perry, last year’s Singapore Biennale and even opened for London-based rock quartet Yuck last September. They have also released their first full-length album, Strawberry Feels, just two months ago.

Check out some of our faves below. For the full line-up, click here.