Singapore’s music scene is at an exciting time right now, with lots of new local stars building their profile both globally and island-wide. To stay up to date with the best new music, whether you’re listening at home or seeing a live performance, there are a multitude of brilliant apps which will ensure you keep in the know. From globally renowned streaming service Spotify to local Singtel favourite AMPed, there are plenty of cost-effective ways to create playlists and share your favourite new tunes. For gig-lovers, international apps Eventbrite and Songkick will alert you to new gigs from your old favourites, whether you’re in Singapore or abroad.
Spotify
No other streaming service is more beloved than Spotify, with its wide range of musical artists featured on the app, as well as handy sharing and recommendation features which are continuously updated. If you’re interested in discovering the next best thing in Singaporean music, be sure to follow Spotify’s playlist ‘Singapore’s Top Acts,’ which is regularly updated to include the best new releases. The app has incredible social features, includes music from both international, regional and local artists, and even has regular personalised playlists, like their ‘Discover Weekly’ and ‘Release Rader’ offerings - you’ll receive a new list of tracks from your favourites, or from artists Spotify’s algothirims suggest you might like, every week. Some might say it will change the way you listen to music.
Eventbrite
For intimate gigs, huge concerts and everything in between, Eventbrite is a great place to check out. As the app’s content is produced by users, it means it’s a brilliant way for smaller indie musicians to promote themselves free of charge, and the app also has a ticket payment system, which is great for simplifying the ticketing process - simply bring your phone to show e-tickets on the door. Make sure you check Eventbrite to keep an eye on the best up-and-coming local bands, producers and singer-songwriters.
Songkick
Offering a highly personalised service, Songkick uses accurate algorithms to work out the gigs you’ll be interested in, and produces an up-to-date feed of your favourite musician’s live performances in Singapore. Tickets are also bookable through the app, allowing you to manage your live music calendar in one place. Track your favourite artists and receive alerts by email about new gigs - you’ll never miss a performance again.
AMPed
This homegrown music streaming service is run by SingTel, and focuses on a strong regional catalogue in order to put up a strong fight against competitors like Spotify. If you’re interested in discovering the best new local and regional music, this is one of the best ways you can listen to it. Free for SingTel subscribers, and available for others on different networks too, AMPed is recommended for those who want to support new Southeast Asian talent.
KKBox
For East Asian music lovers, KKBox is another great streaming app to download. The service is focused on Mandarin-speaking users and is a Taiwanese company with fans all over the region. The company collaborates with Taiwanese record companies like Gold Typhoon and East Asia Music, and features many of their artists, including celebrated Mandopop artists like Jay Chou and Eric Chou. 40 million of your favourite tracks by regional artists await you!
Saavn
If Bollywood music is more your thing, Saavn is the app for you. The streaming service focuses on regional Indian music, with over 50 million music tracks available in 15 different languages. The app also comes with great social networking features, like individual user profiles and easily shareable tracks. Saavn also partners with other great apps and home technology, like Amazon’s Alexa and Shazam, and has a great artist-in-residence program, as well as Artist Originals, releasing music from up-and-coming artists - the range of genres represented includes everything from electronica to neoclassical musicians.