Neon Lights, a new major music & art destination festival, will blaze a trail across the region's festival circuit come this November. The first of its kind in Singapore, and taking its cues from the world's greatest music festivals, Neon Lights will illuminate the historic Fort Canning Park on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2015 with a rich and vibrant music and arts programme encompassing international and local music, dance, theatre, comedy, art & design installations, spoken word and children's workshops.
Built on an uncompromising philosophy of collaboration and community, the inaugural annual festival will run from 1pm till late each day, and will incorporate every nook and cranny of Fort Canning's three main outdoor event spaces – Fort Green, Fort Gate and OMSQ. Neon Lights promises a premium multi-disciplinary, multi-sensory experience for everyone, regardless of age or interest, set across six stages – Neon Lights Stage, Neon Gardens Stage, Club Minky, Cloud Factory, Lit Up @ Neon Lights and Easy Street.
The first 16 acts of a superbly eclectic music line-up are released today. Handpicked from over 10 countries across 5 continents; Neon Lights' headliners are the legendary hit-makers USA's CHIC feat Nile Rodgers – one of the most influential producers and prolific musicians in the history of popular music - and multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Ireland's Damien Rice who will play his first Singapore show in nearly a decade.
Brilliant cult mavericks USA's Mercury Rev make their long-awaited return to Singapore right off the release of their latest album and upbeat party acts Flight Facilities from Sydney and New Yorkers Ratatat will play their first-ever shows here.
Other acts making their first trips to Singapore include legendary UK shoegaze trailblazers Ride, the hypnotic Songhoy Blues from Mali, Mancunian world-fusion DJ Mr Scruff and the Asia premiere of Kiasmos – the groundbreaking new audiovisual electronic project from Iceland composer and pianist Olafur Arnalds; who needs no introduction to Singapore audiences – his last trip here in 2013 saw him sell out two nights at the Esplanade Theatre. Kiasmos' show will be preceded by Swedish techno demi-god Axel Willner aka The Field.
The Neon Lights and Neon Gardens stages will showcase a stellar music line-up spanning genres and decades, blending international stars with local heroes, including sensory rockers Hanging Up The Moon. Also on the Neon Lights bill so far are cool punk-meets-bossa-lounge act Nouvelle Vague from Paris, gifted Japanese multi-intstrumentalist Shugo Tokumaru, introspective indie folksters USA's Sun Kil Moon and Singapore's Bennett Bay, and the new queen of dream pop USA's Julia Holter. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Families with kids will be entertained by the interactive sideshow, circus, comedy and cabaret performances at Club Minky, followed by children's wearable art and movement workshops by MySuperFuture at Cloud Factory. For fans of the spoken and written word, Lit Up @ Neon will be a literary treat with performances, readings, panel discussions and interviews.
The holistic festival will feature three distinct performances each night at Cloud Factory by some of Singapore's most innovative sound, video and performance artists, all curated by Noor Effendy Ibrahim, former artistic director of The Substation and Teater Ekamatra. Also, attendees will get to participate in a live street art and culture celebration on Easy Street curated by Recognize Studios and Sideshow, alongside the breakbeats of hip-hop artists and scratch DJs.
“All our favourite outdoor music festivals from around the world have great arts, great food and a real sense of family as integral to their offering. While Neon Lights is first and foremost a music- lovers festival, it's also for people who are looking for something more – performance, workshops, installations, comedy, delicious food and other surprises, all combining to make one of the most nourishing, uplifting weekends of the year. That's the aspiration.” Jennifer Jennings, Producer & Arts Programme Director.
Neon Lights is organised by a team of international award-winning festival experts, including co- founders of Electric Picnic (IRE), Clockenflap (HK) and Harvest Festival (AUS), in collaboration with the experienced and dynamic Singapore team.
Early Bird & Family Weekend Tickets on sale from 9am, Tuesday, 8th September at www.neonlights.sg, www.sistic.com.sg, SISTIC ticketing hotline +65 6348 5555, and www.EventCliQue.com. Limited supply of early bird tickets available and Under 18s conditions of purchase apply. Single day & group tickets on sale soon.