Show Picks: Baybeats, Olivia Newton-John tribute and New Boyz concert

Baybeats

Singapore’s largest indie rock and alternative music festival features three days of gigs across various venues within the Esplanade. Like previous editions of the annual festival, 2024’s line-up features bands from the local and regional scenes.

The shows are free, but the ones at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade – renamed Powerhouse2 during the festival – and the Esplanade Annexe Studio require pre-show registration.

Some of the more anticipated sets include the reunion of home-grown alternative rock band B-Quartet, best known for their critically acclaimed albums Tomorrow Is Our Permanent Address (2008) and Conformity Has Replaced Consciousness (2010). This will be their first concert since 2017.

Another highlight would be home-grown post-hardcore stalwarts Caracal, who recently put out their third album, Effigies (2024).

The regional acts include rock band Franco from the Philippines and alternative pop band Lomba Sihir from Indonesia.

Like in previous years, Baybeats is also a platform for rising home-grown acts who went through the festival’s Budding Bands mentorship programme – psychedelic rock quartet Sindo, progressive technical death metal band Heaven Brought Me Hell, indie band Maneloren and garage rock duo The Storms Upon Us.

Where: Various venues within the Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive
MRT: Esplanade
When: Oct 11 to 13, various times
Admission: Free, but some shows require pre-show registration
Info: For full line-up and details, go to str.sg/GDug

25th Anniversary New Boyz Live In Singapore

Malaysian band New Boyz took the regional Malay pop scene by storm in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and they are still a hot draw among fans.

Their Singapore show is part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, which include a sold-out set at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall in July.

They last performed in Singapore at The Star Theatre in 2023.

Fronted by singer Tomok who was 15 when they debuted in 1999, New Boyz are best known for songs such as Sejarah Mungkin Berulang (History May Repeat, 1999) and Meraung (Howl, 2000).

In an interview with Berita Harian, the group said that their upcoming gig will be the last show before they go on hiatus for the members to focus on their individual projects.

They also revealed that the set list will comprise 30 songs, and lyrics will be displayed on a screen so fans can participate in a mass karaoke session.

Where: The Star Theatre, The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green
MRT: Buona Vista
When: Oct 12, 8pm
Admission: From $45 to $111 via Sistic (go to str.sg/gMNm or call 6348-5555)

Hopelessly Devoted: A Celebration Of Olivia Newton-John

The music of late Britain-born star Olivia Newton-John lives on, even after she died in 2022 after a 30-year battle with cancer. 

Hosted by her niece Tottie Goldsmith, this show celebrates the life and legacy of the singer-actress, who was raised in Australia. It will feature live renditions of her biggest hits such as Physical (1981), I Honestly Love You (1974) and Hopelessly Devoted To You (1978).

The Australian talents singing the songs will be backed by Singapore’s Base Philharmonic Orchestra, helmed by conductor Jessica Gethin.

Goldsmith says in a statement: “I’m really excited to be collaborating with the Base Philharmonic Orchestra on this celebration of our Olivia. She loved performing with orchestras and would be so filled with joy that this event is taking place.”

Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue
MRT: Bayfront
When: Oct 12, 2 and 8pm
Admission: From $73 to $163 via Sistic (go to str.sg/z6Jn)