Six shows in Singapore means that Coldplay will be in Singapore for quite some time, huh?
We felt that four concert dates (Jan. 23, 24, 26 and 27) were generous enough, but with the overwhelming ticket sales, the band graciously added two more tour dates (Jan. 30 and 31) in Singapore. Which also meant prolonging the intensive fight for tickets online.
Adding more dates is nothing new for the band who previously played at the same venue in 2017 for their spectacular A Head Full of Dreams Tour. They initially only had one date reserved for Singapore before opening another day due to an instantaneous sell-out.
Over 100,000 guests were entertained by their iconic psychedelic themes and LED wristbands that synchronized with the music and lit up the entire stadium – a revolutionary concert experience at the time.
Six years later and Coldplay seems pretty cocky at first thinking they could bag four dates but the joke’s on us they managed to sweep close to a week.
At this rate, they’re doing a 6-day work week – something the average privileged Singaporean wouldn’t even want to attempt.
We feel obliged to return the graciousness of Chris Martin and Co. and show them the beauty of our Paradise. So here’s to us being benevolent hosts and showing them the city, according to their songs.
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall
Mylo Xyloto, 2011
Seeing the much-talked-about indoor waterfall in Jewel Changi Airport might instantly play the jam’s stinging synths and hard rock guitar riffs in your head. Known as the Rain Vortex, the attraction is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall that flows down seven storeys of the shopping mall.
Another worthy alternative would be the Cloud Forest in Gardens by the Bay except this one is clad with flowers and shrubbery and is located in a dome filled with exotic plants. The Gardens itself is a sight to see with its gorgeous floral landscapes and probably the best use of Singapore’s scorching sun.
HSBC Rain Vortex
78 Airport Blvd., Singapore 819666
Cloud Forest
18 Marina Gardens Dr, #03-02/03, Singapore 018953
Paradise
Mylo Xyloto, 2011
Welcome to the food paradise. Tanking through a 2-and-a-half-hour concert requires a nourished and filled belly before performing so why not indulge in one of many brands owned by Paradise Group which specializes in Chinese cuisine?
We’d recommend the classic Paradise Dynasty for the Xiao Long Baos, the collagen broth at Beauty In The Pot and the rich prawn noodles at Le Shrimp Ramen.
Here’s another wonderland, if you like birds. The recently opened Bird Paradise, which is near all the other animal parks, has 3,500 birds from 400 species including some endangered species. There’s also a penguin cove and a 2,000-seater Sky Amphitheatre.
Paradise Group
Outlets are located across the city-state.
Bird Paradise
20 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729825
The Scientist
A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002
Okay, this is a stretch but hear us out. The Science Centre Singapore isn’t just for kids, there are some activities and exhibitions worth checking out! Like the Phobia exhibition that puts your fears to the test or you can literally play a scientist for a day and meet actual specialists in this activity.
Though we can’t predict what kinds of events there are going to be next year, you can also check out the ArtScience Museum just outside Marina Bay Sands where its permanent exhibit includes Future World that is created in collaboration with Tokyo’s teamLab and we’re sure a bunch of insightful offerings will be out next year as the museum is known for bringing in the more peculiar stuff!
Science Centre Singapore
15 Science Centre Rd, Singapore 609081
ArtScience Museum
6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Clocks
A Rush of Blood to the Head, 2002
We don’t have a Big Ben or a famous clock-y landmark but we have the beautiful Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall which is Singapore’s second oldest building and one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks. The best part is that it also has a 54-meter Clock Tower which has been sounding since 1905. An iconic classic as a nod to a classic song from the band.
But if something classical doesn’t quite satisfy the band, Singapore’s also a good spot to do some luxury watch shopping aka clocks for hands.
Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall
11 Empress Pl, #01-02, Singapore 179558
Yellow
Parachutes, 2000
In terms of important yellow landmarks in Singapore, Gedung Kuning (meaning ‘Yellow Mansion) near Sultan Mosque is one for the books. It was built around the same time the Istana Kampong Gelam was (now the Malay Heritage Centre) and is part of the royal compound. Yellow is a color often associated with royalty among the Malay Sultans and the mansion was probably built to house the heir of the royal family.
You won’t be able to find any kings or royalty in the building anymore but these days the space is used as a function space for weddings – and is also a restaurant that serves Nusantara Malay dishes. Coldplay eating Nasi Kuning (yellow rice) and Ayam Sambal Balado? We’d love to see that.
Gedung Kuning
73 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198497
Sparks
Parachutes, 2000
Time to let sparks fly (literally)!
There aren’t many places to enjoy fireworks in Singapore, we save it for special occasions. But luckily, Sentosa’s Wings of Time show runs on the daily with two shows at 7:40pm and another one at 8:40pm.
Expect a 20-minute multi-sensory show with laser, fire and water effects blasting over soundtracks. Its pyrotechnics will immerse viewers in beautiful landscapes and artistic interpretations of the Industrial Revolution, the Silk Road era, Mayan Pyramids, the Underwater World and the African Savanna.
Beach Station Sentosa
21 Bch Vw Rd, 099699
Princess of China
Mylo Xyloto, 2011
After playing their hearts out each of the six nights, surely the band has to pig out. And because that’s what we do best, we’d love to bring award-winning British band, Coldplay to Dong Bei Ren Jia on Upper Cross Street. Popular with the late-night crowd and even some off-duty chefs, the restaurant specializes in northeastern Chinese cuisine.
Thinly sliced potatoes are fried till crispy and tossed in a hot wok with assorted peppers and bacon, poached fish fillets float in spicy and savory broth, and steamed dumplings are made fresh and delivered to your tables in a magnificent lumpy mountain – we as big fans of this place as we are of Coldplay.
Dong Bei Ren Jia
22 Upper Cross St, Singapore 058334
A Sky Full of Stars
Ghost Stories, 2014
If you want to see stars in Singapore, you need to be in the most ulu-est (remote) place possible, away from the city lights, away from everything… aka Kranji. The English may have their countryside but welcome to our version of Cotswolds. Or not.
Sneak into the Sungei Buloh wetlands in the darkness of the night where there are plenty of platforms you can view the sky from. Just watch out for the crocs…
Another ulu alternative is Seletar Fishing Village at low tide – which is often at weird twilight hours. Head down to the sand flats at low tide to catch the stars and maybe squeeze in a cheeky opportunity to shoot the Yellow MV (Singapore edition).
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
301 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718925
Hymn for the Weekend
A Head Full of Dreams, 2015
Weekends at Little India are the best time to explore the area. Tekka Market with its wet market action and the selection of food and snacks at the food court. Walk through laneways of saree shops, pani puri stalls, grocery stores, colorful murals and more food. Culture, heritage, diversity, history and the future come together in this neighborhood that is even more alive on weekends.
Tekka Center
Bukit Timah Rd
BONUS
Stay Cold
Sad to say, it’ll probably still be blazing next year with the occasional pour that leaves the state even more humid than before so it’s always a great idea to cool down with some local desserts.
The one dessert we think suits the band’s psychedelic aesthetics is the good ole Ice Kachang, a bowl of shaved ice topped with red beans, corn, grass jelly and doused in colorful syrup.
It can be found in most hawker centers with other varieties of desserts like Chendol made with coconut milk and the herbal Cheng Tng.
Another gem you can find on the streets is traditional Ice Cream carts. Flavors are the classic Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry and Peppermint available in cups and cones but we recommend getting it with their soft rainbow bread!
With this, we’d like to informally volunteer ourselves as the unofficial official guides to Singapore for Coldplay. Y’know if they have any free time, or feeling peckish. Just a heads up, we might over-order food at Dong Bei Ren Jia or complain about the heat when exploring the sights but only because there’s so much Magic to see and experience.
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