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SINGAPORE: The main stage for this year's National Day Parade has been modified to bring the show closer to the audience. There will also be 24 smaller stages or podiums scattered throughout the venue.
The water gap that used to separate the audience from the stage has been filled and the backdrop has been brought 30 metres forward so that performers can get closer to the audience.
Ivan Heng, creative director of the 44th National Day Parade, said: "Last year's show was good, but I felt it was a bit distant. For me as an artist, I wanted to create a show that was closer to heart and home. I also want to make people laugh... that's when you plant something emotional.
"It's very hard to pin down this idea of emotion. But I think it comes down to this idea of belonging or feeling that we are part of something that is greater than ourselves."
Unlike last year, this year's Combined Schools Choir will move around the stage during its performance. Large puppets will also make a grand entrance from the Singapore River, docking at the Marina Bay floating platform before making their way to the stage.
Besides Chinook helicopters and the Red Lions, stunt performers will also be a highlight at the parade - dangling from large high-rise grids flanking the centre backdrop.
Moreover, homegrown band Electrico will be the first local indie band to perform the parade's theme song, "What Do You See".
Dave Tan, lead singer of Electrico, said: "I was like, 'Wow, we are finally getting recognised by the government'. We are very proud to be representing the local music scene. There was a time they would never let rockers near a National Day Parade, let alone on stage singing the National Day song.
"It's obvious we have progressed a lot and we are very proud to be recognised as the people whom they would like to make the change with, and we are very proud to be making history."
This year's National Day Parade is based on the National Pledge and excerpts of the pledge will be showcased in ten acts or chapters.
- CNA/so
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