The second week of September is set to be a musical one, with a robust line-up of concerts and shows to kick off the return of the F1, which has always been a favorite for its A-list entertainment and after-parties. Gather round; it might just be the week with the most number of international performers and celebrities in Singapore all at once.
Monday, Sep 10
Photo credit: Music Matters Facebook
CONCERT
The annual Music Matters Live returns with over 30 artists from Singapore and beyond to put on their best show. Amongst them are Taiwanese rock ‘n’ roll outfit 88Balaz, indie pop band Almond Soy, pop-rock Filipino band Gracenote, as well as homegrown successes like Inch Chua. Through Sep 12
CONCERT
Highly influential and well-loved musician, saxophonist, arranger and producer from Brazil, Leo Gandelman, will be making his debut here as he performs for two nights at one of the best jazz venues in town, Cool Cats. Consider your date plans sorted. Sep 10-11
MUSICAL
We’re just as excited as you are about the return of The Lion King to our shore for its 20th anniversary It’s been more than two decades since the epic musical film about lions in Africa first came into our lives, and again in 2011 when the musical made its Southeast Asian debut. Immerse yourself in the magnificent world of Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Mufasa, Timon, Pumba and company when it returns for a two-month run. Through Sep 23
EXHIBITION
Before It All Goes: Architecture from Singapore’s Early Independence Years is local photographer Darren Soh’s latest solo exhibition, which showcases his long-term documentation of sites in Singapore slated to disappear, or that already have. Through Sep 29
Tuesday, Sep 11
ART/MUSIC
Come dissect the art of making music in an experimental performance art show at the newly opened Telok Ayer Arts Club. Ruben Pang and Adam Staley Groves will restage the archetype of the rehearsal studio as a live, improvised performance, to unpack and explore the creative impulses that drive music-making. Sep 11
COMEDY
After his last stints on MTV’s Disaster Date, Persian-American comedian K-Von is bringing his Internet-viral brand of humor to Singapore for the first time ever, at the next Comedy Masala. Sep 11
EXHIBITION
The Substation kicks off the next installment of its 2018 exploration of the topic ‘Heritage’. En Bloc, or Buildings Must Die will feature an exhibition, talks and panels discussing the hot-button topic of conservation in Singapore. Through Sep 23
EXHIBITION
The dreamy pastel-hued shots of our city come to life in an exclusive exhibition by Nguan of his latest photobook, Singapore (2017), as part of the annual Singapore International Photography Festival. Get up close and personal with the homegrown photographer himself (who rarely takes interviews) at a book signing on opening day. Through Sep 28
EXHIBITION
Peranakan Museum’s latest exhibition, Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography, delves into the Southeast Asian history of photography through the pictured lives of the Peranakan community in the region. Through Feb 3, 2019
Wednesday, Sep 12
Photo credit: Snakehips Facebook
PARTY
Platinum-selling UK duo Snakehips brings their globally renowned sound to Singapore for the first time—a sensual, contemporary take on old-school R&B with ‘90s hip hop and ‘70s string influences. They’ve collaborated with everyone from Zayn to Chance the Rapper to The Weeknd, and will be coming to Kilo Lounge for a one-night only set. Sep 12
TALK
Filmmaking in Singapore is hard, so grab a seat as local director and producer Chai Yee Wei shares on his journey and experiences in the industry—from starting out as an accidental filmmaker to winning the top prize at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2018 for his film Benjamin’s Last Day at Katong Swimming Complex. Sep 12
COMEDY
F*** Tinder, right? Yeah, the people at Merry Lion will agree. Laugh out loud at this comedy/speed dating event where there’s bound to be no awkward silences. Singles only. Sep 12
Have more laughs at these comedy venues in town.
QUIZ
How well do you know your Wes Anderson films beyond a superficial appreciation for symmetry? In a group of up to five, put your fan knowledge of the quirky American director’s nine brilliant films to the test. Sweater vests encouraged. Sep 12
PARTY
South Korean EDM record label Liquid State is turning up the heat at Zouk for a bangin’ closing party to Music Matters Live. Dance dance to the hottest electronic mixes as Alan Walker, Big Bang’s Seungri and newcomer Corsak take over the decks. Sep 12
FESTIVAL
Feel the Mid-Autumn Festival vibes as Gardens by the Bay adorns its entire grounds with beautiful lanterns big and small. Come check out the bustling marketplace too, where performances, food, and traditional Chinese craft showcases await. Through Sep 24
EXHIBITION
From Cold Storage to Tiger Balm, come chart the evolution of print advertising in Singapore from the 1830s to 1960s at Selling Dreams: Early Advertising in Singapore. Aside from just print advertisements, the exhibition at the National Library also includes interactive multimedia stations for you to experience life as a consumer in early Singapore. Through Feb 24, 2019
Thursday, Sep 13
COMEDY
Britain’s best-loved comedian Jimmy Carr returns to our shores after two years with fresh new material for an R18 night of laughs. Sep 13
FILM
Chinese documentary filmmaker Chai Jing started making Under the Dome when her unborn daughter developed a tumor in the womb, plausibly because of air pollution. The film, which was taken offline in China for its open criticism of state-owned energy companies, looks at air pollution in the country and the state’s helplessness against big polluters. Sep 13
ART
Artist duo Sobandwine are moving out of their Joo Chiat studio, but before that they’re using it to host a line-up of young, emerging artists to exhibit their works. Come by to see photography and video works, a live performance set, and a Malay-based presentation playing off the term “menage-a-trois”. Through Sep 14
MARKET
More than 200 street vendors hawking mooncakes, tea and decorative ornaments will fill the streets in Chinatown—stretching from Pagoda Street to Smith Street for the Mid-Autumn Festival period. Through Sep 24
EXHIBITION
2018 has shaped up to be a fantastic year for Marvel. Besides the two epic movies releasing to staggering global success, they’re also presenting Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes at ArtScience Museum, which delves into the science and tech behind the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe. Through Sep 30
EXHIBITION
Dutch artist Theo Jansen is sending his prized Strandbeests to our shores. In fact entirely non-living, his world-renowned creatures made of PVC and wood are powered by wind, and spend their days moving gracefully across beaches (hence their name, which translates to “beach animal” in Dutch). Head to the ArtScience Museum for an exclusive look at this new species, where you can look at “fossils” of past beests, and even walk alongside 13 original Strandbeests. Through Sep 30
Friday, Sep 14
Photo credit: Rueven Tan, taken from Symmetry Entertainment’s Facebook page
CONCERT
If you missed This Will Destroy You (TWDY) at Home Club in 2013 and Zouk in 2015, the beloved post-rock band is returning to play a very special show for fans here. They’ll be performing their eponymous 2008 self-titled studio album in its entirety to celebrate its 10th anniversary, as well as the full 2006 Young Mountain EP. Sep 14
CONCERT
As exhilarating as it can be watching world-famous racers and cars zoom past you, we all know the highlight of the Singapore Grand Prix is the entertainment. This year, you can expect to see the King of Mandpop himself, Jay Chou, with a guest performance by his Sing! China mentee and local jazz darling Joanna Dong, The Killers, Liam Gallagher, Martin Garrix, Dua Lipa, Simply Red, The Sugarhill Gang, ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again, and more. Sep 14-16
EXHIBITION
Famed Italian artist Edoardo Tresoldi will be in town to showcase his light installation work, Cube Temple, an architectural sculpture never before seen in Singapore. See it for yourself at the godowns of Cargo 39 Keppel Road #03-03 Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Sep 14-16
PARTY
There’re plenty of F1 parties in town, but Zouk’s three-day retro-themed Checkpoint is where you’ll wanna be. Start your F1 weekend on Friday with resident DJ Hong, before checking back on Saturday with Dutch DJ-producer luminary R3HAB, then end on a high on Sunday as UK R&B crooner Jay Sean races to the finish. Sep 14-16
CONCERT/PARTY
Regular F1 after-party haunt The Podium Lounge is celebrating their 10th anniversary with Champagne-fuelled partying and more international A-list celebrities than ever. Be entertained by the likes of Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden (a.k.a. Boyzlife), Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden who’ll be putting up a DJ set and a celebratory Race Night performance by Taboo of Black Eyed Peas. Sep 14-16
For a full list of the most fun and glamorous F1 parties in town, head here.
ART/FOOD/DRINK
Craft purveyor The General Co and and Scottish whiskey distillery Balvenie have partnered up for an epic four-weekend pop-up of crafts workshops, supper club dinners, indie film screenings and more. At the Balvenie House of Craft, you can also get stellar drinks at the pop-up bar by guest mixologists from the likes of Junior and Manhattan. Through Sep 30
TOUR
The Singapore Zoo will be transformed into a lush and luminous universe to mark the attraction’s 45th anniversary this year. Experience Rainforest Lumina for yourself, where a whole stretch of tropical rainforest will be lit with multimedia visual effects come nighttime. You can even spend your night there by a campfire, if you so wish. Jul 1 onwards
