6 Dishes Crazy Rich Asians Should Have Tried At Newton Food Centre Instead Of Satay
If the sheer number of articles, videos and opinion pieces showing up on our news feeds in the past week are any indication, it’s clear that we’ve reached peak Crazy Rich Asians hype.
There’s been a lot of discussion surrounding the movie, and while we’re generally okay with how Singapore was portrayed, one scene that did irk us was when the main characters visit Newton Food Centre and declared its satay as the best in Singapore.
[caption id="attachment_36901" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] (Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures YouTube)[/caption]Uh…no. We’re not calling ourselves the ultimate authority on food, but we’re pretty sure that we’ve had better ones at East Coast and Lau Pa Sat, at the very least.
While it might not have the best satay, it *is* true that Newton Circus is home to some really good eats. If you’re planning to head down to this iconic hawker centre to channel your inner Rachel Chu, here are the six dishes that you should be trying out instead:
Bee Heng Popiah
[caption id="attachment_36905" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]If you’re looking for an appetiser before going all-out, then Bee Heng Popiah ($4.40 for a minimum order of 2) is pretty much the only right choice here.
The generous amount of shredded turnip is probably enough to warrant a place on this list, but it’s the skin that’s the real star of the show. Unlike other Popiah’s it has a light, sweet taste of its own, which blends well with the other ingredients of egg, nuts and shrimp.
[caption id="attachment_36904" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]The soft skin makes for a weak foundation, however, and there’s about a 60% chance that the abundance of ingredients will spill out before you can bring it to your mouth.
Some might prefer more structurally sound Popiah’s, but if you’re willing to put up with the mess you’ll be treated to one of the tastiest versions of this beloved dish that we’ve had.
Bee Heng
Unit: #01-12
XO Bak Chor Mee
[caption id="attachment_36909" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]There’s Bak Chor Mee…and then there’s XO Bak Chor Mee ($4.50).
If you’re a fan of minced meat noodles and haven’t tried this variant, you owe it to yourself to. Thanks to the addition of…well, XO, the noodles don’t dry out as fast, and quite literally add a new layer of savoury taste to it.
[caption id="attachment_36908" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]The “meat” part of the dish isn’t anything to scoff at, either — the pork was extremely lean and pretty much melted in our mouths, and the minced meat was so abundant that we had enough to put in every spoonful.
The best part of the dish, however, is still the Fuzhou fish ball, which might honestly be the best Fuzhou fish ball that we’ve ever eaten. There’s only one per bowl, which is probably a good thing because any more would lead to a full-blown addiction.
XO Minced Meat Noodle
Unit: #01-10
Kwee Heng Duck Noodle
[caption id="attachment_36906" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]On their own, the ingredients of Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles ($4) aren’t anything to write home about — the noodles and soup are standard prawn noodle fare, and the duck strangely enough tastes a bit like chicken.
When eaten as a whole, however, the flavour profile is flipped on its head in the best of ways. The saltiness of the soup is perfectly complimented by the lighter taste of the meat, creating a balanced taste that’s just the right amount of savoury.
[caption id="attachment_36907" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]And if for some reason that isn’t enough, adding a hint of chilli further enhances the flavour with an extra kick of sweet spiciness. We admittedly weren’t expecting much from this dish, but it quickly grew to become one of our favourites.
Kwee Heng
Unit: #01-13
Stall 51 Hokkien Mee
[caption id="attachment_36913" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]With the use of thinner noodles, Stall 51’s Hokkien Mee ($5) is reminiscent of those served at Old Airport Road or Serangoon Gardens’ Chomp Chomp, and taste just as good as well.
The dish has just the right amount of wetness, and retained its consistency even after being left on the table while we got our other dishes (the hallmark of a good Hokkien Mee). The amount of seafood is decent enough, but its the generous serving of egg that really puts this on a whole other level.
[caption id="attachment_36912" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]And what’s Hokkien Mee without some good chilli? The owner jokingly warned us about how spicy his blend was, but despite its belachan-esque appearance we found it to be more sweet and spicy, and added a new dimension to the dish’s flavour. Needless to say, we wiped the plate clean.
Stall 51
Unit: #01-51
Alliance Seafood
[caption id="attachment_36903" align="aligncenter" width="5781"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]Being awarded the coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand for two years straight is no small feat, but we can totally see why the folks at Alliance Seafood managed to do so. The stall is probably best known for their Chilli Crab and Cereal Prawns, but we decided to go for the other crowd-favourite choice of stingray ($12) instead.
the meat was well-cooked throughout, and flaked off the bone as soon as we applied the slightest amount of pressure with our chopsticks. The dish is also lathered with sambal, and while it wasn’t as spicy as we would have wanted it to be, has a rather sweet taste that grows on you.
[caption id="attachment_36911" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]Much like Kwee Heng’s Duck Noodles, the two ingredients are okay on their own, but produce an entirely new taste when eaten together. We’d recommend flaking all the meat and giving it a good mix before eating to achieve the maximum effect.
Alliance Seafood
Unit: #01-27
Bangkok Express
[caption id="attachment_36914" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] (Image Credit: Discover SG)[/caption]When you think of “good Thai food”, the usual suspects like Nakhon Kitchen and…well, the entire Golden Mile Complex are usually the first places that come to mind.
Don’t let the rather random location of Bangkok Express fool you, though — with food prepared by an actual Thai chef, this unassuming stall will give your favourite haunts a run for their money, and is one of the best-kept secrets of those working around the Newton area.
Their extensive menu offers everything from Phad Thai to Basil Chicken, and with so much food already on our plates we decided to go for the Seafood Tom Yum Soup ($6).
While most Tom Yum dishes will have you ordering another cup of sugar cane, this iteration is surprisingly light on the spiciness, while still packing a strong, sweet flavour at the same time. They’re pretty generous with the seafood part as well, with squids and prawns appearing in pretty much every spoonful.
Bangkok Express
Unit: #01-04
Also Read 5 Must-Order Dishes At Hougang’s Hainanese Village For $4 And Under
(Header Image Source: Discover SG)
Get Your Marauder’s Map Ready – LEGO Launches A 6,000 Piece Hogwarts Castle Set That Costs $650
Do you like Harry Potter?
Do you like LEGO’s?
Do you happen to have $650 of expendable income lying around?
If you answered “yes” to all three questions, then brace your muggle heart, because everyone’s favourite toy brick company has come up with a stunning recreation of the one and only Hogwarts Castle.
You’re A Builder, Harry!
[caption id="attachment_36846" align="alignnone" width="1280"] (Image Credit: Lego)[/caption]
Okay, we’ll admit that this isn’t exactly *breaking* news — according to Brickipedia, LEGO have already released four versions of the iconic HP locale, but this one is so detailed that it’s probably the closest you’ll ever get to attending a Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
“How detailed can detailed be?”, you ask? Well, for starters, the set is comprised of a whopping 6,020 pieces, a significant upgrade over the previous iteration’s brick count of 1,290.
Everything from the Great Hall to the Chamber of Secrets is included, and you’ll have 27 microfigures of Harry and the gang to really make the place come alive.
[caption id="attachment_36843" align="alignnone" width="1893"] (Image Credit: LEGO)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_36849" align="alignnone" width="1700"] (Image Credit: LEGO)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_36841" align="aligncenter" width="1802"] (Image Credit: LEGO)[/caption]We could go on, but you should just watch this video to get a proper sense of how grand this thing is:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SY7FdM908]Avada Kedavra, Wallet
As previously mentioned, however, this collector’s item will set you back $650 ($649.90, to be exact), but if you’re undeterred by the price tag you’ll be glad to know that you won’t have to wait too long before you can get your hands on one.
The set will be released this Saturday, the 1st of September, and it’s such a big deal that LEGO is currently holding a launch event for it at Compass One mall (sorry, west siders).
[caption id="attachment_36842" align="alignnone" width="900"] (Image Credit: The Brick Shop LEGO Certified Store)[/caption]To sweeten the deal, early adopters will be treated to an exclusive “mosaic gift” that supposedly can’t be bought anywhere else.
For those who don’t have the cash but still want to join in the festivities, there’s still a host of Potter-themed activities to partake in, including the building of a 152cm x 152cm mosaic of the franchise’s titular character.
The event only ends on the 9th of September, so don’t feel too pressured to make an impulse buy — considering the price, we aren’t expecting these to fly off the shelves.
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Launch
Venue: Compass One
Date: 1 Sep 2018
Also Read Life’s A Beach: Sentosa Offers FREE Entry for S’poreans From 1 – 16 September
(Header Image Credit: Lego)
Didn’t Get Enough Of Baybeats? Here Are 3 Upcoming Local Gigs You Should Look Out For
Baybeats might be over, but your support for the local music scene doesn’t have to be. If you can’t get enough of the acts you heard last week, you’ll be glad to know that some of them have performances lined up in the next few weeks (or days!).
Some of these are solo showcases, while others are part of bigger collaborations that feature other big names. Keeping track of local gigs can be tough, so we’ve gone ahead and found three that you might want to add to your calendar:
Rock For Noah’s Ark
[caption id="attachment_36742" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] (Image Credit: Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Shelter)[/caption]Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Shelter is home to 700 dogs, 300 cats and 9 horses (among other animals), and according to their Facebook page it costs $35,000 a month to operate. As you might expect they need a little help to keep running, and thankfully some local musicians are holding a gig this Saturday to raise funds for them.
This group of altruistic musicians include Baybeats performers Disco Hue and Pleasantry, along with other big names like Inch Chua and M1LDL1FE (who you might know better as Take Two). Throw in Deon, Dru Chen and Sherene’s Closet into the already-stellar lineup, and you have a varied mix of genres that’s sure to make for a good weekend outing.
Good music for a good cause at a good price? Yeah, we definitely know where we’ll be on Saturday.
Venue: Barber Shop By Timbre
Date & Time: August 25th, 3pm
Admission: $25
Kin Leonn – “Commune” Live
[caption id="attachment_36741" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (Image Credit: The Projector)[/caption]In our previous Baybeats article we listed festival opener Kin Leonn as one of the acts you should totally check out, and if you can’t get enough of his haunting ambient tunes you’ll be glad to know that he’ll be playing a solo show at the end of the month.
Taking place at The Projector, the multi-instrumentalist is set to premiere and perform the entirety of his upcoming album Commune in a 75-minute set that’s pretty much guaranteed to captivate. Billed as his “most complete set to date”, you can also expect him to perform older songs from his time with electronic act Midst.
$25 might seem a little steep to watch a single musician, but considering that live performances from KITCHEN.LABEL artists are notoriously hard to come by, it’s best to take up the opportunity when it presents itself.
Venue: The Projector
Date & Time: August 31st, 8:30pm
Admission: $25
Keisey EP Release Show
[caption id="attachment_36740" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] (Image Credit: Keisey)[/caption]If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Paramore’s recent gig, then Keisey’s upcoming EP launch might be worth checking out. After making their rounds in the local gig circuit for the past few months, the pop punk quintet are finally releasing their debut EP Get A Look At Your Life next month…and they’re bringing some friends to celebrate the occasion.
Among those friends are Garage Rock trio Knightingale, who played not one, but three sets at this year’s Baybeats. With a host of other alternative rock acts that include I, Devotion and Anna Judge April (who also happen to be Baybeats alumni), this is a lineup that’s sure to bring you back to the days of emo, teenage angst.
You can keep your band tee and studded belt in the closet, though — the dress code implores you to wear “anything but black”, which might inadvertently lead to the most colourful mosh pit ever. That alone would be the price of admission, we’d say.
Venue: SLED Productions x Decline
Date & Time: September 8th, 4pm
Admission: $10 At The Door
Also Read Neon Lights Festival Is Finally Back This November – Interpol and Yuna To Headline
(Header Image Source: Disco Hue, KITCHEN.LABEL and Keisey)
The Quietest Party In Town Turns Two This Weekend At MBS Observation Deck
Clubbing is a pretty good way to let off some steam after a long week, but it’s kind of a “do it once and you’ve seen it all” kind of activity — step into any club in Singapore and you can expect them to be sticking to the same formula of dim lights, tight crowds and music so loud that it’ll age your eardrums by five years.
Okay, the first two are an unavoidable part of the scene, but if you’re thinking of putting on your dancing shoes this weekend and want to experience something a little different, then Silent Disco Asia’s 2nd Birthday might be just what the DJ ordered.
Not Your Average Night Out
For the uninitiated, here’s a video showing what The Silent Disco is all about:
https://vimeo.com/213617792
For the benefit of those reading this at work / school / public transport, here’s the breakdown: every participant is given a pair of LED headphones, and will listen to music from them instead of being bombarded by some blaring speakers.
Another signature feature of the event is there’ll be not one, not two, but three DJ’s on the decks, and you’ll be able to seamlessly switch to a different genre of music at the touch of a button. These “channels” are colour coded via those LED’s, so it’s easy to find other like-minded people to dance with.
[caption id="attachment_36697" align="alignnone" width="1800"] (Image Credit: Silent Disco Asia)[/caption]
It might look like the biggest gathering of uncoordinated dancers to anyone watching from the outside, but chances are you’ll be having too much fun to notice or care.
Get High, Literally
For their 2nd birthday, it looks like the folks at Silent Disco Asia are pulling out all the stops — the event will take place at none other than the Marina Bay Sands rooftop, transforming the already-stunning observation deck into a 500 capacity dance floor.
And if you end up enjoying yourself a little too much and need a place to recover halfway, don’t worry: a ticket will also grant you admission to Ce La Vi, which — according to that video — is where the crazy rich asians hang out. As far as rest areas go, this is probably as posh as it gets.
[caption id="attachment_36690" align="aligncenter" width="786"] Her words, not ours.(Image Credit: South China Morning Post YouTube)[/caption]
Early bird tickets are already sold out, but you can still get in on the festivities for the regular price of $45. Considering that admission to the observation deck alone normally costs $23 and a ticket includes one complimentary drink worth $20, we say that’s a pretty good deal.
It definitely beats queuing up at Zouk again, at least.
Silent Disco Asia 2nd Birthday
Venue: Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck
Date & Time: 25th August 2018, 10pm – 2am
Admission: $45
Also Read Take A Break From Crowds At The Singapore Night Festival At This Indie Pop-Up Market At Sota
(Header Image Credit: Silent Disco Asia)
Oreo They Didn’t – We Tried The New Oreo Mooncakes So You Don’t Have To
The Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us, and that can only mean one thing — mooncakes are going to be a constant in our diets for the next month or so.
As usual, you can count on all the bakeries, Chinese restaurants and hotel chains to release their usual fare, but the one that’s caught our attention this year are the Oreo branded mooncakes.
[caption id="attachment_36674" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]Yup, you heard us right — everyone’s favourite cookie brand has released a set of six “Wonderfilled” mooncakes, with flavours ranging from Brownie Chocolate to Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam.
Trust us, we’re just as curious as you, and since eating is…well, kind of our job, we decided to get a box for ourselves to see how they taste.
Brownie Chocolate
[caption id="attachment_36678" align="aligncenter" width="4032"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]This was hands-down the most popular choice in the office, probably because it looks like an Oreo cookie in mooncake form.
The taste, however, is a whole other situation altogether.
As its name suggests, the Brownie Chocolate mooncake is primarily filled with a chocolate flavoured paste — the kind you usually find in mooncakes, just chocolate flavoured — along with a hint of the more traditional lotus seed paste in the center.
While a chocolate mooncake might sound good on paper (to us, at least), the combination of flavours don’t exactly go well together, with the distinct flavours of both jockeying for position in your mouth. The result is a taste that’s not strong on either front, ultimately resulting in a rather underwhelming taste.
Double Chocolate With Milk
[caption id="attachment_36676" align="aligncenter" width="4032"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]If you’ve ever eaten those White Rabbit candies before (really, who hasn’t?), then the taste of the Double Chocolate With Milk mooncake is going to be very familiar to you. The taste of the skin starts off rather mild, but after a few seconds a strong, milky flavour creeps up on you.
The rest of the mooncake is pretty much an inverse of the Brownie Chocolate, with a lotus seed paste filling surrounding a chocolate centre. It’s supposedly double the chocolate, but we really couldn’t tell the difference, to be honest.
With more lotus seed paste in this one, however, the flavours are spread out a little more evenly, and when paired with the milk skin everything comes together pretty nicely to produce just the right amount of sweet and savoury.
Strawberry Jam
[caption id="attachment_36677" align="aligncenter" width="4032"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]Unlike the previous two in this list, the strawberry Jam mooncake has a jelly-esque center that forms the center of its taste as well.
Considering that everything from the skin to the main filling is strawberry flavoured, however, everything is just slightly different variations of the same thing, and despite that there still isn’t much of a kick to it.
We’re thinking that strawberry just doesn’t work well as a mooncake flavour, and it might have been *slightly* better if they had used snow skin instead.
For what it is, though, we’ll pass.
Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam
[caption id="attachment_36679" align="alignnone" width="4032"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]Just like the Strawberry Jam before it, the taste of the Custard & Pineapple Flavoured Jam mooncake is dominated by it’s jelly filling, and more than one person in the office compared it to a pineapple tart.
As we’d come to expect by this point, however, its flavour wasn’t particularly strong, and you’d probably be better off eating an actual pineapple tart.
The custard flavoured skin does adds a rather unique, buttery taste, and if we had to pick a favourite out of the four it’d probably be this one.
Final Thoughts
If these mooncakes didn’t have the Oreo branding stamped onto their faces, we really wouldn’t have known that they belonged to the cookie company.
[caption id="attachment_36681" align="alignnone" width="4032"] Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]We really wish that Oreo’s attempt at mooncakes would’ve tasted…well, a little more Oreo-y (putting their signature cream inside, perhaps?), instead of playing it safe with a standard that you could probably find at your neighbourhood bakery.
If you’re ready to give in to the gimmick and still want to try these out for yourself, they’re available right now at select FairPrice outlets for $29.90, or $26.90 if you order online from their website.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you, though.
Also Read 5 Must Order Dishes At Hougang’s Hainanese Village For $4 And Under
(Header Image Credit: Discover SG)
Genki Sushi Opening New Bishan Outlet On Aug 17 – And They’re Giving Away 100 Sushi Sets!
There’s never a bad time for some sushi, and when it comes to an affordable, no-frills option few do it better than the folks at Genki Sushi (if the massive lines outside their stores are any indication, we aren’t the only ones who think so too).
With four of their five outlets situated in central Singapore, however, getting to one for a casual meal can be a tad inconvenient for those who don’t live in town, which is about…90% of the population?
[caption id="attachment_36573" align="alignnone" width="1260"] Image Credit: Google Maps[/caption]Thankfully for us low SES neighbourhood folk, the brand has some “aggressive expansion plans” to triple the number of stores in Singapore by 2023, and they’re definitely starting off on the right foot with the opening of their sixth outlet at Junction 8 this Friday.
North-Side, Best Side
Apart from the (relatively) more accessible location, the opening of this new outlet couldn’t have come at a better time, with Genki Sushi having revamped their menu earlier this week.
[caption id="attachment_36570" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image Credit: Genki Sushi[/caption]The updated version includes the second edition of their Dai Man Zoku signature collection (fittingly called Dai Man Zoku Vol. 2) — which claims to be 1.5 times larger than the average sushi and features new offerings such as jumbo crab stick mentaiyaki and jumbo ebi fry.
And what would a grand opening be without some freebies?
To celebrate the occasion, 100 five-piece sushi sets will be given out for free on a first-come-first-served basis — the giveaway is scheduled to take place from 11am to 11:30am, (we doubt that it’ll last that long, though), with the store officially opening immediately afterwards.
https://www.facebook.com/GenkiSushiSg/photos/a.187246777978019.34181.177506368952060/1838205722882108/?type=3&theater
With outlets in the North and East (Waterway Point) of Singapore, here’s hoping that Genki Sushi shows some love to the west siders in the near future too.
Genki Sushi Junction 8
9 Bishan Place, #01-22/30
Singapore 579837
(Header Image Credit: Genki Sushi)
From Quiz Nights To Pop-Up Cinemas, Funzing Lets You Enjoy Unlimited Activities For $16/Mth
It’s no secret that going out in Singapore can be a rather expensive affair — a good meal at pretty much anywhere will cost you upwards of $10, and unless you’re willing to call it a night there you’ll can count on forking out at least another 20 on something else.
Then there’s the issue of actually finding something interesting to do. Sure, you could head down to Orchard Road again, but window shopping at Uniqlo kind of loses its lustre after doing it for the fifth time this month.
If these are some of the problems plaguing your social life, then the good folks at Funzing might have a solution with their Unlimited Pass.
Not Your Average Date Night
It almost sounds too good to be true, but for a mere $16 you’ll be entitled to a host of events that the “community marketplace” has curated.
[caption id="attachment_36551" align="aligncenter" width="1202"] Image Credit: Funzing[/caption]These events aren’t your typical weekend fare either — this month’s selection include Harry Potter and Rick and Morty quiz nights that’ll put your respective fandoms to the test, as well as pop up cinema screenings for critically acclaimed films like Lady Bird and I Am Not Your Negro.
The quiz nights will take place at Tree Lizard (Dempsey Road) and The Armoury (Beach Road) respectively, while the movies will be shown at the always-cozy Blu Jaz Cafe. At the very least, you can say that you spent your night somewhere new, which could be considered a victory in itself.
[caption id="attachment_36552" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Blu Jaz Cafe[/caption]Considering that individual tickets for these events hover around around $8-$9 range, it makes sense to get the Unlimited Pass at its promotional price if more than one of these events are up your alley.
Demand is also surprisingly high (tickets for the classic Japanese animated film Princess Mononoke are already sold out), so head on over to Funzing’s website to secure your slot now.
Also read Foodpanda Pops Up At Amoy St This September With Food, Booze, Music And Workouts
(Header Image Source: Funzing Blog)
From Alt Rock To Hip-Hop: Here Are 5 Local Acts You Should Check Out At Baybeats 2018
Music lovers rejoice: the 2018 edition of Baybeats is upon us, which means that you can look forward to three days of free performances from some of the best that the local music scene has to offer.
With more than 30 artists set to take the stage this weekend, it can be an understandably daunting task to pick which ones to watch. To help you out, here are five that we think you should totally check out:
Kin Leonn
https://soundcloud.com/kin-leonn/searching_v3
As the founding member of acclaimed electronic band Midst, Kin Leonn has been honing his craft as an ambient musician for years, and his solo material is both a culmination and evolution of those efforts.
A talented multi-instrumentalist, Kin Leonn is a master of creating haunting soundscapes that transport you to a state of pure calm and introspection. His music might not feature lyrics, but the tracks speak volumes on their own.
He’ll be playing two half-hour sets at the Chillout Stage / Esplanade Concourse on Friday at 6:30pm and 8:00pm, and is the perfect act to ease you into the Baybeats mood.
Annette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPUpehiwuc
If Annette Lee looks somewhat familiar to you, it’s probably because you recognise her as “Sue Ann” from SGAG (yeah, we’re just as surprised as you).
Don’t let the goofiness of her day job fool you, though — Lee shows a completely different side of herself when she picks up a mic, exuding a confidence we didn’t know she had as she sings her self-written songs “about the human condition”.
Her repertoire ranges from upbeat dance anthems to dark, soulful ballads, and like Kin Leonn she’ll be playing two sets at The Chillout Stage / Esplanade Concourse on Friday at 7:15pm and 8:45pm.
Trust The Chaos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea2K6XrZSPE
If at first you don’t succeed, try again — after being eliminated in the final round of last year’s Baybeats Budding Bands initiative, the alternative rock quintet went on to earn a spot in NOISE Singapore’s music mentorship programme, and will finally be making their Baybeats debut this year.
Inspired by everything from One OK Rock to Avenged Sevenfold, the band’s energetic sound masterfully straddles the line between mainstream and underground. Frontman Li En’s voice in particular is a work of art, chock full of emotion and reminiscent of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington.
Considering the lengths they had to go through to make it here, you can bet that they’ll tear the stage down on Friday at the Powerhouse / Waterfront Carpark at 7:30pm.
Falling Feathers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9abvNJNnUA
Falling Feathers is no stranger to the big stage — having opened for big international acts like Mayday Parade and Before You Exit in recent years, it’s obvious that his Owl City-esque vocals have struck a chord with Singaporeans.
With most of his songs revolving around the universal topic of romance, his tunes are unapologetically pop-inspired — whether its blaring guitar chords or a smooth electronic beat, you’re guaranteed to be tapping your feet throughout.
If you want to feel like a secondary school kid again, you can catch him on Saturday at the Arena / Esplanade Outdoor Theatre at 7:30pm.
Yung Raja x Fariz Jabba
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SUfLna8Oo
This year’s Baybeats aims to shine a bigger spotlight on Singapore’s hip-hop and rap scene, and the inclusion of Yung Raja and Fariz Jabba in its lineup is definitely a step in the right direction.
Both artists — who also happen to be best friends — have amassed massive followings thanks to a strong social media game, and their signature style of rapping in both English and their mother tongues have helped to further set them apart from the rest.
It’s always a banger when these two come together, so it’s rather fitting that they’ll be closing out Saturday with a late-night performance at the Esplanade Annexe Studio at 11:30pm.
And if you’re not looking to play favourites and want to watch every act (props to you), here’s the full lineup for your reference:
[caption id="attachment_36507" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Image Credit: Baybeats Festival[/caption]Baybeats Festival 2018
When: 17 – 19 August 2018
Website | Facebook
Also read When You’re Broke But Still Want To Shop – Here Are 6 Of Our Favourite Thrift Shops In Singapore
(Header Image Source: Baybeats Festival Facebook)
Continue The National Day Celebrations With Good Makan, Music, And Movies This Weekend
Another National Day might have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean that the celebrations have to stop.
If you’re not ready to put away your red t-shirts and remove Home from your Spotify playlist just yet, here are some events that’ll help you scratch that patriotic itch over the weekend:
Independent Market National Day Fair 2018
[caption id="attachment_36482" align="aligncenter" width="1728"] Image Credit: Independent Market[/caption]Have the recent festivities spurred you to fill your home and / or wardrobe with locally-inspired merchandise? Then Independent Market’s National Day Fair is definitely the place to be.
Featuring wares from an assortment of homegrown brands, you’ll find everything from notebooks to cushion covers — all of which feature local icons such as the Merlion, chilli crab and the famous Toa Payoh dragon playground, to name a few.
This is one of the rare occasions that so many local brands will be in one place at the same time, so you best head down unless you’re cool with scouring the island to find them again.
Independent Market National Day Fair 2018
Venue: VivoCity Southeast Boulevard
Date: 10th-13th Aug 2018
Time: 10am-10pm
Admission: Free
Website
RWS Street Eats 2018
[caption id="attachment_36480" align="aligncenter" width="1366"] Image Credit: Resorts World Sentosa[/caption]What better way to celebrate Singapore than to indulge in its favourite activity?
Following its highly successful debut in 2017, Resorts World Sentosa’s Street Eats event is back for a second year, featuring a curated collection of over 20 street food stalls from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and of course, Singapore.
This year’s special guests include Chef Steven Long from Vietnam, who’ll be serving his signature Pho and Vietnamese Summer Rolls. while Chefs Zainal Abidin and Mohd Fairus, on the other hand, are set to satisfy both your eyes and mouth with their Flying Roti Canai preparation / performance hybrid.
Entertainment has never tasted this good.
RWS Street Eats 2018
Venue: Resorts World Sentosa, Malaysian Food Street (Waterfront Level 1)
Date: 10th-19th Aug 2018
Time: 11am-9pm (Monday-Thursday) 9am-10pm (Friday-Sunday)
Admission: Free
Website
Garden Rhapsody: Singapore Edition
[caption id="attachment_36484" align="aligncenter" width="1670"] Image Credit: Gardens By The Bay[/caption]If you’re looking for a place to just sit back and relax, head on over to the Supertrees at Gardens By The Bay, where there’ll be a special National Day edition of the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show.
The light show’s hypnotic visuals should be reason enough to head down, but the real attraction is the star-studded group of Benjamin Kheng, Nathan Hartono, Rani Singam and iNCH, who will be performing a collection of local tunes to keep you in the National Day mood.
Some of Singapore’s best musicians performing some of Singapore’s best songs at one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks…for free? Yeah, there really isn’t any reason for you not to go.
Garden Rhapsody: Singapore Edition
Venue: Gardens By The Bay, Supertree Grove
Date: 10th-12th Aug 2018
Time: 7:45pm, 8:45pm
Admission: Free
Website
Films At The Fort
[caption id="attachment_36479" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Films At The Fort[/caption]Okay, this one isn’t exactly National Day themed, but paying a little too much for a hipster experience has become so commonplace in Singapore that it could be considered a national pastime.
At $30 a ticket, Films At The Fort isn’t exactly the cheapest date idea, but you’ll be hard pressed to find another event that allows you to watch a classic movie in an open-air setting under the stars. It’s a unique concept for sure, and one you should experience at least once in your life.
Romance Classic The Notebook and sex comedy Blockers will be screening on Saturday and Sunday respectively, so there’s something for everyone. The organisers are also expecting “a strong demand for tickets”, so be sure to get yours quick.
Films At The Fort
Venue: Fort Canning Park
Date: 11th August 2018 (The Notebook), 12th Aug 2018 (Blockers)
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $29.80
Website
Also read Want To Feel Like You’re In Mission Impossible? You Can Now Abseil Off A HDB Block
(Header Image Source: Films By The Fort)
Get Boozy With Fellow Singaporeans While Watching NDP Live At The Projector
The National Day Parade is a quintessential Singaporean event that brings our country together (for a few hours, at least), but we think it’s safe to say that originality isn’t exactly their strong suit.
Yes, there’s bound to be some new offerings — in this year’s case, a 10-minute film directed by Boo Junfeng — but for the most part you can count on seeing mainstays like the Red Lions, marching contingents and costumed primary school kids taking up the majority of the parade’s screen time.
[caption id="attachment_36445" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Fingers crossed for another hero to rise up.Image Credit: ClickOpenPlay YouTube[/caption]
Exciting as these are, there’s a sense of deja vu watching the same thing year after year, and If you’re looking to switch up your NDP viewing experience you might want to check out Watch It Wet: NDP 2018.
One People, One Nation, One Drink-A-Pore
Organised by everyone’s favourite hipster cinema The Projector, the event is the first of a “new occasional series of communal drinking”, and aims to unite everyone as “one people, one nation, one drink-a-pore”. They’ll be broadcasting the parade on one of their big screens, alongside a dedicated bar for all your alcoholic needs.
This isn’t just going to be a mere screening, however — the event will also be hosted by drag queen Becca D’Bus, who’ll provide commentary throughout with the things you want to say but are too afraid to.
[caption id="attachment_36443" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: Intermission Bar At The Projector[/caption]The best part? Admission is pay as you wish, so you won’t have to break the bank to attend. The Projector suggests a minimum of $15 though, which is still reasonable.
Doors open at 5:15pm on August 9th (duh) with free seating, so you’d better head there early if you want to experience an NDP in a totally different way this year.
Watch It Wet: NDP 2018
Venue: Intermission Bar at The Projector
Date: 9th Aug 2018
Admission: Pay As You Wish
Website
Also read Singapore Night Festival Returns On Aug 17 With Luminous Horses, Lightning Duels And More
(Header Image Source: Intermission Bar at The Projector)