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SINGAPORE: Every year, thousands of alternative music fans flock to Esplanade: Theatres on the Bay for Baybeats, that ode to alternative music from Singapore and the region, which celebrates its seventh anniversary this year.
This three-day music festival drew about 85,000 people last year, and this year, organiser Esplanade expects an even larger crowd. Not bad, considering they started out seven years ago with a modest 7,000 turnout. And not bad, considering the non-mainstream music the festival is known for.
“Baybeats was launched primarily to create a platform to showcase independent musicians, especially local musicians,” explained Baybeats programming officer Ye Jun Min of Esplanade.
“It gives our audience a chance to listen, for free, to a wide range of alternative music acts they might not otherwise have a chance to see,” she continued, adding that the very specific focus of the festival is a key reason why fans keep returning year after year.
“We’re probably one of the bigger alternative music festivals in Singapore, something that people can look forward to every year.”
Notes on a Possible Scandal?
Interestingly, while the previous Baybeats were organised by Esplanade and local music company Wake Me Up Music (WMUM), this year’s festival is solely organised by the Esplanade.
And no, you shouldn’t believe the speculation on the rumour mill about why the successful partnership was dissolved — one source even suggested that WMUM was dropped because it was misusing festival funds.
According to Ye, it was just a matter of time before they parted ways. “It was a collective decision by both parties,” the 26-year-old programme officer told TODAY. “We’ve worked with Wake Me Up Music for a long time and its director, John Chiong, wanted to take a break from some of his commitments and we respect his decision.”
A spokesperson for Wake Me Up Music agreed. “It was not because of any bad blood or anything. I think the Esplanade felt it was just time to take (the reins) on their own. Maybe they felt it’s been kind of the same for a while, I guess, so maybe this is a different phase — it’s a pretty bold move.”
Ye concurred. “We were also keen to build and develop the festival further on our own. The festival’s brand is well-established and it was time to push it further in terms of grooming local artists,” she said.
“The new local indie band showcase has been a component that has done well, and we are continually looking at ways to improve the festival such that it develops our local artists and audiences further.”
Singapore's Got Talent
So, just why should you go to Baybeats 2008? Well, for one, it has a brilliant display of new musical talent this little island has to offer. Developing local acts has always been a priority for Baybeats, said Ye. “Year after year, the festival aims to function as a showcase platform and a launch pad for independent talents in the local scene.”
In 2006, auditions were held for up-and-coming bands to “win” the chance to perform at the festival the following year. Bands that have benefited from this exposure include Allura, Giants Must Fall and Plainsunset.
This year, 11 bands, including Anna Judge April, Leeson, You and Whose Army, The Oslo Castaways and Sourgrapes, were selected from auditions held in January.
“We were actually supposed to choose 10, but the standard was really so high — we couldn’t kick out the last one!” said Vivian Wang, keyboardist for local progressive band The Observatory, and one of the judges at the auditions.
“They’re all really good, they’re very ambitious, and they seem to be playing at a level that’s higher than most.”
Baybeats also features some of the top acts from Singapore and the region, with this year’s line-up including acts like Electrico, The Analog Girl, The Lilac Saints, Jebediah (from Australia), The Shine&Shine&Shine&Shine (Taiwan) and My Little Airport (Hong Kong).
One local act that fans are particularly looking forward to is indie stalwart The Oddfellows, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year with a one-off reunion gig at Baybeats. Lead singer and guitarist Patrick Chng said the band is revved up but nervous about their slot on August 30, mainly because they won’t have enough time to rehearse, as drummer Johnny Ong now lives in Taiwan and will only be back a couple of days before their show.
Said Chng: “Preparations are not that ideal. But it’s not too long a set and we’re playing all the old stuff that everybody knows, so it shouldn’t be that difficult!”
Staying Alive
To keep Baybeats from falling into a rut, organisers have added a new element. “You can catch our first film screening in Baybeats history,” said Ye.
Curated by Objectifs, it’s a selection of five local short films by some of Singapore’s well-known indie film-makers Royston Tan, Kenny Tan, Tania Sng and Yee Chang Kang. “They were carefully chosen for their involvement in local music and film, some which also feature a cast of artistes from the local music scene,” she added.
But can Baybeats, a free festival, be sustainable in the long run?
“Esplanade’s festivals are not commercial in nature,” stated Ye. “Our main aim is to cater to the needs and tastes of different audience segments, enhancing their experience through the arts ... We showcase quality indie music and grow the audience for this genre while giving our local bands and regional talents a place to be profiled.
“For Baybeats to be sustainable and successful (we have to) look at a variety of other objectives as well, like the quality of performances, the ability of the audience to appreciate the performances through the years, as well as the benefit that artistes get out of collaborations and networking.
“Of course, we hope to draw as many people as possible to the festival, but there is a physical limit to the number we can accommodate due to site constraints.”
Music for the Masses
And just because Baybeats bears an alternative tag, it doesn’t mean the masses can’t enjoy it, Ye insisted.
The Observatory’s Wang agreed: “Baybeats is for everybody. It’s one of those festivals where it doesn’t matter what music you like — if you’re interested in music you should just go. You’ll feel the energy slapping you!”
Added Chng from The Oddfellows: “I would say we’re all cut from the same cloth. You know, the indie spirit, the punk rock ethos — it’s the same, even though the genres might be different. The spirit is there, which is what Baybeats is all about.” - TODAY/sh
Baybeats 2008 runs from August 29 to 31, starting 6pm each day, at the Esplanade Theatres by the Bay. Visit www.baybeats.com.sg for more information.
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