THE good news: Music fans can still party on to plenty of gigs come January and February despite the gloomy economic outlook.
After a bumper year of music draws, they will not have to go cold turkey as the first quarter of next year promises concerts by major acts like nu-soul singer Duffy, pop-indie duo The Ting Tings, electro-punks The Prodigy, new wave pioneer David Byrne and indie band Stars.
More acts like emo rockers Fall Out Boy and veteran crooner Rod Stewart are on their way, say concert organisers.Industry insiders are confident that concertgoers will still be willing to shell out for top-draw artists to entertain and distract them from the economic doldrums.
Ms Laurrieta Alabons, owner of LAMC Productions who is bringing in The Ting Tings and The Prodigy, says: 'We don't know yet how the recession will affect the business, but hey, we all still need some form of entertainment and enjoyment.'
Arts venue the Esplanade is going ahead with its two annual major music festivals in the first half of next year: Chinese alternative music fest in::music from January to February and eclectic music fest Mosaic in March.
This year's Mosaic drew a record 97,000 people over more than 100 shows.
Producer Amy Ho says: 'In this time of anxiety, it is important that we keep our community's spirits up with more inspiring presentations.'
The bumper crop of concerts this year, which ran the gamut from rock legends The Police and R&B princess Alicia Keys to Britpop rockers Manic Street Preachers and funk stalwart George Clinton, is set to continue next year.
Mr Luke Hede, director of bookings for concert promoters Live Nation Asia, says: '2009 is business as usual - we have big plans for the region and hope to bring more large international shows to Singapore.'
Live Nation Asia brought in pop icon Elton John, pop idol Kylie Minogue and hip-hop star Kanye West this year - concerts which pulled in crowds ranging from 6,000 to 11,000. He says that judging from the success of its shows, 'the live market in Singapore seems to be growing steadily'.
Concert organisers did not want to divulge details on profits but the number of concerts organised this year has, in general, increased from 2007.
The Esplanade, for example, reports an 11 per cent increase in the number of popular concerts that they organise. LAMC organised nine concerts this year, up from six last year.
While fans were spoilt for choice with the range of acts, one dampener was rising ticket prices which was a common complaint.
Premium tickets for The Police, at $600 a pop, were among the most expensive ever.
It is a point acknowledged by the promoters themselves. Mr Michael Hosking, chief executive of Midas Promotions, says: 'Sadly, I think the most significant change in the concert scene in Singapore has been the escalating ticket prices.'
He blames the price hike on the artists as the general decline in CD sales worldwide have resulted in 'artists increasing their fees as opposed to promoters trying to rake in more profits'.
Midas organised the two-day music festival Singfest in August which drew 17,000 people and saw 36 international and local pop and rock acts at Fort Canning Park. It was a success but pricey tickets which ranged between $150 and $350, were a sore point with some audience members.
But organisers are well aware that, with an economic recession ahead, gigs could be one disposable luxury people may go without.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times Life!.
