A Hub of Inspiration

Nothing inspires beautiful melody or lyrics more than being surrounded by like-minded people and the industry's finest talent. Many of them gather at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The majestic design of aluminium and glass sits proudly on the bay and is one of Singapore's finest architectural attractions. The locals nickname it ‘The Durians' because of its resemblance to the spiky fruit, or from above it can look like the eyes of a fly. It's a much talked about and photographed building and that's only the outside!

The real magic happens inside. It is the place in Singapore to not only listen to the best live music but also to see a variety of shows, plays and exhibitions

There's much to take in as it boasts over 20 different spaces dedicated to various performances. Most notably, the Concert Hall has award winning acoustics and seats 1'600, and their horse-shoe shaped Theatre can accommodate 2'000. As well as many spaces available to rent for both performances and rehearsals there are creatively decorated tunnels and passages where artists can showcase their work.

Tours are offered around the venue and you can opt for either a guided tour or an iTour. A guided tour is for small groups who can wander around and explore the space together and learn about the one of a kind architecture. Or if you fancy exploring on your own you can take your own iTour which involves carrying around a Personal Digital Assistant who will relay anecdotes and useful information.

Unlike most upmarket venues Esplanade doesn't impose a formal dress code and advises that you bring warm clothing to comfortably enjoy your experience with.

Housed inside, The Esplanade Mall is an oasis to any musician as it provides a shopping experience which has a wonderful ‘artsy' vibe to it. The guitar and violin shops are mesmerising additions to the collection of outlets and attract some of the finest musicians on the continent to purchase their instruments there.

The restaurants and cafes are frequented by industry people and they are hotspots for upcoming talent in the performing arts. If you are in the music industry and would like to mingle with like minded people, a cup of coffee at Esplanade could prove to be the starting point of a new friendship or songwriting partner. Community is valued and encouraged. A true hub of inspiration for those in the performing arts.

Busking - The Free Showcase

There is something wonderful about walking down a street and hearing a piece of music which serves to strengthen atmosphere and ease tension. The Singapore National Arts Council (NAC) have recognised what an important role music and performing arts play in helping to enliven the streets, and have adopted a means of bringing talent to the people.

They have developed a busking scheme which permits the talented to audition and if they are successful, obtain a licence to be allowed to perform in designated areas. All Singaporeans, permanent residents and those with work passes/endorsements are eligible to apply for such a license.

The process calls for an initial audition to determine the level of talent and enjoyment factor of the act. Singers, musicians, mime artists, dancers, acrobatic acts and interactive performers such as face-painters, balloon sculptors, portrait artists etc are all encouraged to apply. There are terms and conditions associated with these which would be helpful to read before applying.

Locations for busking are among the most frequented areas of the city so there will be plenty of exposure for the talent allocated to those spots. Busking hours are location dependent but usually fall between 10am to 10:30pm daily.

There is an annual buskers' festival held, usually in the fall, at different locations around Singapore. The latest was held at Sentosa Island as a free event and welcomed performers from all over the world.

Some of the noteworthy participants included; Robert Strong, an American comedian; Mario Morris, a British magician; Judith Lanigan, an Australian Hula Hoopist; and Bikerina, a German trick cycling ballerina.

Busking is a wonderful outlet for performing artists to make a living doing what they love best, and due to the scheme in place by the NAC you will see some of the highest talent involved in street theatre.

Best Live Music Bars in Singapore

Live music is very popular in Singaporean culture and there are many hotspots aro

und the city for your exploration. Whether you are into traditional music, blues, rock, alternative, classical, pop, hip-hop, r&b, latin or any other genre of your preference, you're sure to find somewhere that caters to your tastes.

The small selection below is a starting point for those looking to experience up and coming bands and enjoy the great atmosphere that accompanies live music venues.

Crazy Elephant. This Crazy establishment caters to the rock and roll lover and puts on the finest blues and rock bands in Singapore. You can attend performances all nights of the week, excluding Mondays, and if you are quite musical yourself you can even perform on Sunday nights, when they host an open Jam session. Bring along your instruments and your talent and join in the fun. Their drinks list is quite extensive; they serve upmarket cocktails, wines and liquors as well as draught and bottled beer.

Home Club. This award-winning underground club is the perfect destination for anyone looking for something completely different to the norm. The energetic club is a hotspot for famous DJs, Techno, Electro-rock, dub step and drum and bass artists to frequent. It's also a great platform for upcoming artists to showcase their music to a crowd who is there to listen and party hard. The venue is also available for private hire and functions.

Home Club. This award-winning underground club is the perfect destination for anyone looking for something completely different to the norm. The energetic club is a hotspot for famous DJs, Techno, Electro-rock, dub step and drum and bass artists to frequent. It's also a great platform for upcoming artists to showcase their music to a crowd who is there to listen and party hard. The venue is also available for private hire and functions.

Movida at St James Power Station. Get ready to move and shake those hips at the Latin music capital of Singapore. The stunning club plays host to a resident band and DJ who keep the sensual Latin American and Caribbean tunes flowing for you to get your Shakira style groove on. There is also ladies night on Tuesdays where the entry fee is waived for the gals and 5 drinks are on the house.

Beer Market. A place for fine wines. Just kidding, a place for beer beer beer. And Food. And Music! The interesting concept of the bar is that the price of the drinks varies on popularity and there is a real live ‘stock exchange' visible to display the fluctuating prices of the drinks. Go ahead and invest in the Beer Market today, an investment you may or may not regret tomorrow!