No auditions. No gatekeeping. At these open street jams, you are the band.
No auditions. No gatekeeping. At these open street jams, you are the band.
A guitar plays. A snare drum follows. Then a saxophone joins in, playful and bright. The Lawn at New Bahru is alive with strangers who have never rehearsed together.
“Initially, I thought it was just a live band. I didn’t know … we could ‘hijack’ the instruments and join in," said audience member Nur Taqinah Kamsari, 33.
This is Ann Siang Sounds, a monthly jam session that turns public spaces into open stages. Anyone can step in — from seasoned pros to beginners, even children.
A few core musicians anchor the beat. Others will swap places, learning on the fly. “If they’re lost in terms of the timing ... I usually count them in,” said co-founder Oliver Ow, 35.
With crowds growing, the organisers are discussing permits with the authorities. Meanwhile, venues like New Bahru and Sentosa have offered to host these monthly sessions.
The safe space of the jams has helped some budding musicians overcome nerves. “A mistake … is a happy accident," said music student Prasad Sivaparagasam, 23.
