For us old timer scenesters, it’s already been almost five years since we pranced in the rain and slipped in the mud in the very first Laneway Festival Singapore back in 2011. But downpours be damned, it was the best thing to ever make landfall during that time for us — finally, here was a live music festival in Singapore that featured all the cool, lesser known music we were listening to for years.
“We all stood there when the gates opened and we knew we’d made it happen, and then it pissed down with rain for the next three hours,” Laneway co-promoter Michael Chugg recalls. “But it didn’t dampen peoples’ spirits, the fans loved it and the headline in the paper the next day called it ;Rainway; and a huge success.”
Five Laneways later, we’re still stoked for who’s coming for the ever expanding event. After selling out to a crowd of 13,000 earlier this January — and getting flak from Ministers for being a Laneway Landfill — Singapore’s biggest indie music festival delivers another smashing lineup for their next episode, coming to Gardens By The Bay yet again on Jan 30.
Highlights include the established likes of instrumental/experimental giants Battles, prog-pop pixie Grimes, and electronica favourite Flume, while Laneway Festival Singapore alumni Beach House and CHVRCHES make their much welcomed return.
Laneway’s not Laneway if they’re not championing emerging acts — young soul outfit The Internet, shoegazey quintet DIIV and noiseniks METZ will all be making their Singapore debut next year.
Continuing the festival’s recent foray into regional territory, three Singapore acts (Cashew Chemists, Intriguant, Riot !n Magenta), one Hong Kong band (GDJYB) as well as one from the Philippines (Cheats) are also welcomed additions to the distinguished lineup.
Get your tickets to the whole indie music extravaganza on Sistic, starting at $150 onwards. Stay updated on their Facebook page and website too.
Photo: Rueven Tan c/o Chugg Entertainment
