Baybeats is back — the biggest free alternative music festival in Singapore is back for it’s 19th year, and we can all enjoy it from home. Traditionally, the annual event brings in a line-up of both local and international musicians for a weekend of incredible live music, but while this year’s live festival has been postponed to November, music lovers can still enjoy their favourite acts through their screens.
From August 21 to 23, take a sneak peek of what’s to come in November with a bite-sized version of the festival, split into five different segments — Baybeats Unplugged, In Bed with Baybeats, Chapalang Sessions, Observation Deck and #BaybeatsThrowback. With a mixture of both pre-recorded and live streamed music sessions, fans will be able to enjoy indie performances from the comfort of their own homes.
Baybeats Unplugged
Fans of acoustic sets, rejoice! Baybeats Unplugged features pre-recorded, stripped-back sets, exclusively premiering that August weekend. Fans can also expect a catch-up on Instagram Live with each artist through In Bed With Baybeats.
Kick-starting the online festival is actress-singer Annette Lee, who you may know from her comedic videos seen on SGAG, and more recently, her viral single, Gold. Viewers can look forward to being serenaded with her sweet voice through Behind The Music, a special performance filmed backstage at the Esplanade Concert Hall.
Singer-songwriter LEW will also be opening the third day of the virtual festivities, with a silky voice that will please all ears. Expect an emotional set with the musician revisiting past memories, channelled through three original songs, including Wasted, a piece about gratitude, and acknowledging the hard lessons learnt in his last relationship.
No stranger to the Baybeats stage is local favourite Charlie Lim, who will also be performing acoustic versions of his original songs, including a melody from his first EP, released 10 years ago, and Least of You, a song from his latest album which incidentally achieved the top spot on the iTunes Music Chart.
Chapalang Sessions
For the ones who love the irreplaceable sound of live instruments on stage, tune into the Chapalang Sessions, where fans can watch some truly incredible bands jam out live.
We’re looking forward to Two Seas’ first ever live-streamed set, where the experimental rock quintet will be performing a unique setlist curated specifically for this performance, filled with songs they’ve never played live — ever. With no specific label for their genre of choice, we’re prepared to hear anything from soft, indie rock melodies to more aggressive alternative tunes, and we can’t wait. For those who are dying for a Q&A with the band, you can also look forward to an “ask us anything” session during the set.
Also on our must-watch list is ANECHOIS, whose history with Baybeats dates back all the way to 2012! Formed in 2011, the band has seen a few lineup changes here and there, but you can expect nothing but quality sound from this experimental quartet. Their live shows have never disappointed, with their complex rhythmic structures and atmospheric effects, and we’re hoping this livestream will give their sound the justice it deserves.
#BaybeatsThrowback
If your music taste revolves around sounds that are an oldie but a goodie, get ready to be strung back to the last two decades of music with #BaybeatsThrowback, featuring past Baybeats performances from local bands Force Vomit and B-Quartet.
Join punk rockers Force Vomit at their Baybeats 2013 performance, where they made a much-awaited comeback after a 4-year hiatus, also marking their 20th year as a band. Whether you had the privilege of watching them live back then or you’ve been longing for a live performance this decade, this headbanging set is not one to miss out on.
With post-apocalyptic rock band B-Quartet, we’re going all the way back to their Baybeats 2007 Arena Stage performance — long-time fans will be glad to have another listen to classics from their 2008 album Tomorrow Is Our Permanent Address, like Personal Space and Shoebox.
Observation Deck
Viewers can also look forward to live-streamed discussions from long-time industry professionals, where we’ll be presented with panels of speakers who might just answer any burning questions from fans tuned in. Whether you’re interested in the developing cultural differences in music consumption around Asia, you’ve always wanted to know what exactly underground music is, or even if you’re just wondering how some of your favourite songs are recorded, there’s a panel for you.
Baybeats Online takes place August 21 to 23. For more information, visit esplanade.com.
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