Programmer's message
To say the past two editions of Baybeats were so different seems like an understatement as we launch this year’s festival. Amidst the pandemic, the Baybeats team was privileged to be able to bring the best of alternative music from Singapore and beyond to everyone. We even celebrated the festival’s 20th edition! For that, we’re heartened by the support and patience from our music community. As the world strides forward, the festival is raring to go! From 28 – 30 Oct 2022, we welcome back regional acts and overseas collaborations at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, as well as the strong online community to experience the raw energy of Baybeats.
With the opening of our newest multi-format venue, Singtel Waterfront Theatre (SWT) at Esplanade, we are also happy to announce the return of the festival’s beloved Powerhouse stage—renamed Powerhouse2 (thanks to all our fans who responded to our polls on Instagram)! Fans of underground music can look forward to being on their feet and headbanging on the flat floor configuration of the new theatre. Get ready for a power-packed line-up, including all-female punk rock band from Japan, Otoboke Beaver and Indonesian rock sensation, .Feast, alongside local acts such as death metal heavyweights Rudra and surf punk icon Force Vomit. The festival’s Open Stage will also make a comeback for aspiring bands to strut their stuff at the new lawn, right outside SWT. Akin to a pop-up stage, this platform will showcase young talents we have presented and bookmarked at Esplanade’s Free Programmes series.
At the Esplanade Annexe Studio, we will be collaborating with Taiwanese music festival LUCfest to present Go Go Machine Orchestra and G5SH from Taiwan. At the same venue, look out for experimental, ambient music genre acts FERS who describe themselves as a ‘tropical shoegaze’ band, Hathaw9y from South Korea, as well as hip hop artists TENGY and ALYPH.
At the Arena (Esplanade Outdoor Theatre), fans can tune in to genres that they can bop and groove along with. The line-up includes homegrown rap rock band Voodoo Sound, indie rock outfit Bakers In Space, together with Filipino instrumental rock band tide/edit and Khana Bierbood from Thailand. We will also shine the spotlight on the Baybeats Budding Bands of 2022 on this stage.
At the Chillout Stage (Esplanade Concourse), we will feature another side of alternative rock acts like IMAN (solo project of Iman’s League’s frontman), Trust The Chaos and Astronauts, as they take on the challenge of presenting their hard-hitting numbers in acoustic arrangements and an intimate setting.
Last but not least, the festival would not be complete without the young creatives from our Baybeats Budding Programmes. This year, we onboard new batches of photographers, emcees and writers who are mentored by various industry practitioners.
The 21st edition of Baybeats is filled with the long-awaited return of many of our favourite things. We can’t wait to have everyone back on our grounds, moshing, rocking out and simply having a good time (safely, of course). So mark your calendars, jio your kakis and see you at Baybeats 2022 !
Adeline Lee
Programmer, The Esplanade Co Ltd
On behalf of the Baybeats team
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