SINGAPORE – Two major events in the local music calendar are taking place in the Marina Bay precinct this weekend.
The Esplanade’s Baybeats, Singapore’s largest alternative music festival, is back and bigger than before in its 24th edition. The 2025 event sees one additional night compared with previous years’ programming, and will take place from Oct 30 to Nov 2. It will also have five stages instead of the usual four.
Side A, A Singapore Record Show, a convention for local vinyl record collectors and music lovers, also makes a return with a bumper edition at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre on Nov 1. Created and produced by home-grown music company Mosta Records, the 2025 edition will be held in a space double the size of the inaugural event at Drama Centre in 2024.
Music fans are encouraged to go for both free events and there are cross promotions. Those attending Side A, for example, will get holographic Baybeats stickers.
Baybeats features a line-up of Singaporean and global alternative music acts, ranging from veteran names like indie/pop-punk band Plainsunset and post-hardcore outfit A Vacant Affair to rising home-grown acts who underwent the festival’s Budding Bands mentorship programme, such as math rock band Haldi Honey.
Other performers include Singaporean singer-songwriter weish, Australian rock band Battlesnake, Taiwanese metal band Flesh Juicer, Argentinian punk/experimental band Blanco Teta and Filipino alternative band Sandwich.
Australian hard rock/heavy metal band Battlesnake will perform at Baybeats.
PHOTO: ESPLANADE
Esplanade programmer Hydhir Ramli tells The Straits Times: “As Singapore’s largest alternative music festival, we felt it was time for Baybeats to grow its footprint, not just in size, but also in ambition.”
Over the years, the festival has evolved into more than just a weekend of music, and has become a meeting place for Singapore’s indie, punk, metal, electronic and alternative scenes, as well as a stage for regional talent.
Singapore singer and songwriter weish is also performing at Baybeats.
PHOTO: JUHARDI MOHD MARC GABRIEL LOH
Mr Hydhir adds: “With more stages and more days, we can do things that weren’t quite possible before, from carving out space for heavier, louder acts, to creating quieter, more intimate settings and adding conversations and panel talks that deepen the experience beyond live music performances.”
Side A now features more booths manned by local and regional record collectors, retailers, enthusiasts and independent record labels.
Mr Azri Ali, co-founder of Mosta Records, tells ST: “The response was overwhelming. We had to refuse further applications for booths as we had run out of space.”
PHOTO: MOSTA RECORDS
The convention will also feature a showcase of audio and music equipment companies such as Audio-Technica, Korg and Mackie, as well as Singapore music equipment retailer City Music.
Like in the first edition, there will be live performances by local and regional music acts, including Zakhrafa Ensemble, a Singaporean group comprising classical Middle Eastern music practitioners. Other performers include home-grown rapper Mary Sue, Malaysian singer-songwriter Syiqin Azln and home-grown singer-songwriter Iman from pop-punk band Iman’s League.
Those who spend $50 and more at Side A will qualify for a draw that features collectible vinyl records as prizes. Attendees can also expect freebies such as CDs, T-shirts and hoodies.
Mr Azri says Side A celebrates all aspects of music, from physical formats such as vinyls, to music-making equipment, as well as books and magazines dedicated to music.
“Side A is not just about the art of collecting, but also about appreciating the efforts of the artistes who make music in this digital world. We hope to continue to champion this for the longest time.”
Where: Various venues within the Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive
When: Oct 30 to Nov 2, various timings
Admission: Free, but some shows require pre-show registration
Info: For full line-up and details, go to
str.sg/DquY
Where: Level 3, 300-302, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard
When: Nov 1, noon to 8pm
Admission: Free
Info: For details, go to
str.sg/xqEp
MusicConcertsMusic festivalsEsplanade
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