The year has proven to be a solid one for the gigging scene in Singapore so far: we’ve seen the likes of Celine Dion, Incubus, Imagine Dragons, Daniel Caesar, Dua Lipa, Halsey, Clean Bandit and Paramore, as well as a fair amount of music festivals like the annual Laneway, Baybeats and Ultra. As we head into September, biggies like Mariah Carey and Sam Smith will be taking the stage, as well as acts like The Weeknd and Charlie Puth. We’ll also be looking forward to the return of Neon Lights (after a gap in 2017), ZoukOut, and of course, the F1 concerts. Here’s what to expect.
Anne-Marie (Oct 22)
English pop star Anne-Marie, who sings about friendzoning in her catchy hit “Friends”, is gracing our shores for the very first time come Oct 22. With several big-name collaborations under her belt, including Ed Sheeran and Sean Paul, she’s been delivering infectious hits like “Alarm” and the recent fire single “2002”, since her breakout collaboration with Clean Bandit in “Rockabye”. Singapore is her only stop in the region on her Speak Your Mind Tour; so consider us lucky. Tickets are priced at $138, via Apac Tix. 8pm, Zepp@ Bigbox Singapore
A1 (Oct 20)
What a blast from the past, guys. The age of boy bands may be over, but it won’t stop the legendary ones from the ‘90s to the early noughties from coming back. We’ve seen Backstreet Boys return to Singapore twice within three years and Westlife back in 2011, with Boyzone coming up next. And hopping on the nostalgia bandwagon once again is British-Norwegian pop group A1, who are reuniting for their 20th anniversary with the full original lineup, including Paul Marazzi who left in 2002. They were last here two years ago as a trio, performing their greatest hits at The Star Theatre. This tour, however, will be the only time you’ll see A1 together as a quartet once again. In their heyday, they recorded three best-selling albums and a Greatest Hits project (1998-2003) and sold millions in the UK, Europe and Asia. They also bagged the highly sought-after Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act in 2001. Unleash the teen in you and belt to hits like “Same Old Brand New You”, “Caught In The Middle”, “Like A Rose” and more. Tickets are priced from $68 via Apac Tix. 8pm, MES Theatre
Jason Mraz (Oct 27)
It didn’t seem like too long ago when we were all swooning over Jason Mraz’s “Lucky” and wishing we all had that best friend who just so happens to also be your lover. But hey, four years on and the wordsmith is back to perform at the National Stadium; his only stop in Asia. On this tour, he’ll be performing singles off his latest record Know, like the optimistic “Have It All” and the recently released “Unlonely” that has us grooving in the office at midday. With Jason’s chill disposition and open mind (remember that one guy who shook his shaker and sang “Be Honest” in Taipei?), we can’t wait to see what spontaneous magic will happen this time around. Tickets are priced from $108 via Sports Hub Tix. 8pm, National Stadium
Mariah Carey (Nov 3)
We’re loving all these powerhouses making their way to Singapore. After four years, the inimitable Mariah Carey is coming back for a special one-night concert. Everyone knows about her five-octave vocal range, and her usage of the whistle register. In recent years, she’s been heavily criticized for her bad live performances and her “waning” singing capabilities. But she squashed all that once and for all and redeemed herself at the previous Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest show, singing “Vision of Love” and “Hero” while donning a fabulous glittery gown and fur coat. A diva she might be, but she’s still human. Recently, the singer-songwriter came out and revealed in an interview that she’s been struggling with bipolar II disorder for more than 17 years. She added that she’s currently in therapy and on medication to treat her disorder, and feels “inspired” and “uplifted” by everyone’s support. Tickets are priced from $88-348 via Apac Tix. 8pm, The Star Theatre
It’s The Ship (Nov 4-7)
The ting go skrrrrrrap, bap pap kak kak kak… that’s exactly how this year’s It’s The Ship is gonna go down when YouTube viral sensation-turned-rapper Big Shaq relieves David Hasselhoff of his duties as the appointed captain. Anyone who has an internet connection would’ve chanced upon his comedic nonsense rap “Man’s Not Hot”, which went ridiculously viral within days (and is now a recognizable meme). The vessel will be returning to Phuket, so you can expect a bunch of themed pop-up parties, a stopover on the beautiful island and huge names like trance producer Vini Vici, EDM biggies Cash Cash and Showtek, Dutch progressive and electro house producer Sander van Doorn, Grammy-award winning producer Paul Van Dyk, German trance outfit Cosmic Gate, the legendary Darude and so much more. Tickets are priced from $466 via Galactix. Depart from Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore
Kygo (Nov 5)
Khalid (Nov 6)
Photo credit: Taken from Khalid’s Facebook page
Only 20 years old, but Khalid has already been lauded in the music industry by fans and critics alike. This November, we’ll get a taste of his R&B and pop-soul magic when he performs in Singapore for his “American Teen Tour”. He was destined for greatness right off the bat. Growing up, he took up singing and musical theater in high school, and often wrote and created music during this time, posting them up on SoundCloud. He’s now earned numerous nominations including five Grammys, and snagged big awards like Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards and Top New Artist at the Billboard Music Awards. He’s also worked with some of the industry’s biggest like SZA, Martin Garrix and Ty Dolla $ign. Tickets are priced at $108 via Sistic. 8pm, Zepp @ Big Box
Kenny G (Nov 8)
American saxophonist Kenny G is indisputably one of the biggest-selling instrumental musician of all time, with 75 million record sales and a Grammy award under his belt. He’ll be coming back to Singapore for a solo concert featuring his 18th and most recent album The Brazilian Nights. After a long three-year wait, enjoy romantic jazz tunes in Kenny G’s signature bossa nova style, where he’ll perform hits like “Forever in Love” and “Heart and Soul”. Tickets are priced from $78- 328 via Sistic. 8pm, The Star Theatre
Neon Lights 2018 (Nov 9-11)
After a one-year hiatus in 2017, Singapore’s very own indie music fest, Neon Lights, is set for its third edition come November, to be held back at the usual Fort Gate, Fort Canning Park venue. This time, it’ll be expanded to a three-day event, from two before. The multi-stage outdoor festival will see headliners like Interpol make their Southeast Asian debut in Singapore; Malaysian songstress Yuna making her grand return to the festival; as well as Cigarettes After Sex coming back again after their sell-out gig at the Capitol Theatre last year. Other acts to look out for include Canadian electronic composer Caribou, English rock band The Vaccines, local indie darlings Riot !n Magenta and Sobs, Australian reggae group Sticky Fingers, and Brooklyn-based scottish band Bodega, among many others. Like past editions, we’re expecting there to be art to check out, fringe activities, as well as drinks and food stalls to be found at the event space too—let’s just hope it doesn’t rain this time. Ticket prices range from $99 to $250, for various times and dates. Details here. Fort Gate, Fort Canning Park
Charlie Puth (Nov 13)
One of the most attractive things about Charlie Puth as an artist is his ability to connect with his fans; in a sense where he tries to be as real as possible. In an interview with Vulture, he notes that he was personally disappointed with his debut album because he felt that it was “someone else’s idea of who Charlie Puth should be”; which is why his sophomore record Voicenotes is way more personable. Lyrically, he writes about topics that have mass appeal, but combined with a delicious production that will make your head bop (we personally love the collab with Kehlani). He started out on YouTube, and only saw a meteoric rise to fame after co-writing, co-producing and performing “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa, a tribute to the late Paul Walker for the Furious 7 soundtrack. Fun fact: Puth has perfect pitch, and graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a major in music production and engineering. Tickets are priced from $88 via LiveNation. The Star Theatre
Franz Ferdinand (Nov 21)
It has taken these Scottish indie rockers 12 excruciating years to return to Singapore, but hey, it was well-worth the wait right? These guys came out of Glasgow, Scotland in 2002, and were always noted as one of the most important bands to have revived post-punk back in the noughties. Their lineup has changed a little, with Nick McCarthy leaving two years ago to focus on family and Julian Corrie and Dino Bardot stepping up to complete the band’s current lineup, but they’re still as tight as ever. Fourteen years, and we’re still singing along to the super infectious “Take Me Out” as if the song just released. That record alone earned them the illustrious Mercury Music Prize in 2004, as well as two Brit Awards the year after for “Best British Group” and “Best British Rock Act”, two NME awards for “Best Album”, “Best Track” and “Best Live Band” and the MTV Video Music Award for Best Breakthrough Video for “Take Me Out”. They continued to blaze through the next decade of their music career, making jive-worthy hits like “Do You Want To”, “No You Girls” and “Evil Eye”, and releasing their fifth studio album, Always Ascending, last Feb, which was met with generally positive reviews from critics. Tickets are priced from $99 via Apac Tix. 8:30pm, Zepp @ Big Box
Michael Learns to Rock (Nov 29)
ZoukOut 2018 (Dec 1)
ZoukOut 2017. Photo credit: Colossal Photos
It’s been five years since ZoukOut expanded to a two-day event of debauchery and music madness. But this year, they’re reverting to their previous format of providing just a full, but still massive 14-hour day of the best in electronic music. While details and the full lineup are still in the works, Zouk, which emerged at a glorious #3 on DJ Mag’s Topp 100 Clubs list this year, has announced that Belgian DJ and recording producing duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike will be headlining the event, alongside Dutch duo W&W and Swedish dance maestros Galantis. Stay tuned for more announcements. Tickets are priced at $148 via ZoukOut’s website. 6pm, Siloso Beach Resort
The Weeknd (Dec 5)
He’s gon’ and made it come true, y’all. Canadian R&B superstar and our homeboy The Weeknd is finally making his Asian debut at the end of the year, with stops in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok Seoul, Manila, Bali, Taipei and of course, Singapore. The Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter has been busy of late. After his very public statement about his disappointment with H&M, which led to him cutting ties and boycotting them, he released his previously announced collection with BAPE. Also, just last week, he tweeted how he “definitely wanna [sic] tour Asia” after posting a screen shot of how the BAPE x XO collection was doing in Japan. He also followed up with another tweet, saying: “Actually, an Asia tour is long overdue. Still can’t believe I haven’t done it yet.” Yes, Abel Tesfaye, how could you have forgotten us all these years? Fret not, Starboy singer came through and he’ll be before the year ends. Tickets available via Sports Hub Tix. 8pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium
Maroon 5 (Mar 7, 2019)
Question: Has Adam Levine still got it? Of course he does. The three-time Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum Maroon 5 is back, to promote their sixth and latest album Red Pill Blues. Part of their world tour through Asia, Australia and Europe, the one-day concert in Singapore will feature hits from Red Pill Blues, so you can definitely expect “What Lovers Do”, “Girls Like You” and “Best for You” —which have been dominating the charts in the last year. They’ve previously headlined the Singapore Grand Prix in 2012 and 2015; the National Stadium should be a nice venue upgrade. Tickets are priced from $118-268 via Sports Hub. 6.30pm, National Stadium
Elton John (somewhere in Nov-Dec 2019)
Photo credit: David LaChapelle
Sure, this isn’t for this year but it’s definitely worth a mention. It’s always bittersweet when a music great announces they’ll be going on the road for their swan song. Sir Elton John announced in January that he’d be going on his, a 300-show world tour that will last about three years before fully focusing on his family. He’ll be making stops in Asia, including Singapore, somewhere in November or December next year. Tickets will be out on Nov 1 this year, so mark your calendars. More details to follow
