Baybeats 2024

Programmer's message

Dear Baybeats Family,   

It is with immense gratitude and excitement that we welcome you to the 23rd edition of Baybeats, presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, from 11 – 13 Oct 2024. As Singapore’s largest free alternative music festival, the success of Baybeats is built upon years of strong support from our independent music scene. These include those who have grown with the festival since day one and now share the experience with their families, and those who continually push the boundaries of the scene, as well as all our newly acquainted Budding Bands and fans, whom we welcome to the Baybeats Family.     

Each year, Baybeats works hard to bring together a diverse mix of alternative artists, both local and international. In last year’s edition, we were privileged to host Delta Sleep (UK), Orange Ocean (CN) and not forgetting the return of local favourites, The Great Spy Experiment, Wormrot as well as Forests. This year, we’re excited to welcome back several great bands that have previously performed at Baybeats including B-Quartet and sub:shaman, who will be debuting new material at the festival after a hiatus of more than five years. As we look forward to expanding the festival’s international reach, we continue to present artists from across Asia including post-hardcore outfits, Hands Like Houses (Australia), math-rock extraordinaire LITE (Japan) as well as CHS (South Korea). We’re also thrilled to introduce indie-rock alternative artist, Mèow Lạc, one of the first few Vietnamese artists ever to be curated in the line-up.    

We’re dedicated to creating a space where emerging and established artists share the same stage, where boundaries fade, and where what truly matters is the renewed passion for music and the moments we create together. While the festival continues to grow as a platform for alternative music in Singapore, this scene still struggles to find a larger space locally where music can be expressed and experienced freely. With limited performance spaces and the scale of the local music market, artists are constantly challenged to come up with innovative ways to push their craft forward. Kudos to the many bands who have taken on this challenge and succeeded in reaching a wider audience without compromising their identities.   

Baybeats continues to be the platform that celebrates the DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit of our independent music community, including collectives, labels, gig organisers as well as creatives such as 249.png (Sadiq Mansor, who designed this year’s key visual). They are the ones who prop up Singapore’s immense talent pool of alternative artists. The scene is what it is today because of their efforts, and the future of what the scene could look like, lies in their hands too.     

We also want to highlight the vital role of our friends and collaborators from the region, who have become pillars of support for the festival. This year, we are privileged to partner with two esteemed regional festivals—the Jakarta Music Con from Indonesia and Emerge Music from Taiwan. These partnerships offer us the opportunities to showcase Singapore’s talents abroad and raise the festival’s international profile.    

This festival is made possible with the generous support of our Principal Sponsor, KEEN. Baybeats 2024 is also supported by 4th Wall Studios and Showlite Systems.  

The heart and soul of the festival does not just lie within the line-up—it exists in the community that we've built together, the stories we share and the passion put in every note. Baybeats only thrives because of everyone’s unwavering support and belief in alternative music.    

Thank you once again, for making Baybeats a safe space where independent and alternative artists can truly shine.   

Hydhir Ramli   
Programmer, The Esplanade Co Ltd   
On behalf of the Baybeats team