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Despite rains, Laneway Music Festival thrills music fans
SINGAPORE - Only a handful of festival-goers witnessed Indonesian act Stars and Rabbit open the seventh edition of St. Jerome’s Laneway Music Festival just before noon here last Saturday. But vocalist Elda Suryani didn’t seem to care.
“We’re used to really small crowds, so for us, this is pretty amazing,” the diminutive singer-songwriter said.
Most people who attend the premiere indie music festival in the region wait until early afternoon to make their way to the Meadow at Gardens By The Bay, where the event has been held since 2013 (Fort Canning hosted the first two editions). The harsh Singapore sun may have something to do with it, but this year, audiences had something different to contend with.
At around 2 p.m., the sky dumped rain on the festival grounds and didn’t let up until well after sundown. It was the first time rain came to spoil the fun at Laneway since the inaugural edition in 2011. Officials pegged the crowd at around 10,000, down from the 13,000 that turned up last year.
Despite the instant shower, the show went on as scheduled.
This year’s edition was the most diverse and eclectic yet as Laneway organizers added more hip-hop and electronic music acts to the indie rock and pop staples. While talk in certain circles centered on a relatively weaker set of performers than in previous years, the lineup this year certainly brought their A-game. A total of 29 acts were on the bill, spread out over four stages.
While it was virtually impossible to catch all of the acts due to overlapping playing times, my friend and festival buddy Belle and I went around to see as much as we could. Here are the highlights, in no particular order:
1. Mick Jenkins
The White Tent was filled up at around 8:45 p.m. and it wasn’t just because of people trying to escape the downpour. American hip-hop sensation Jenkins delivered a gut-busting set that thrilled the young crowd inside the venue.
2. Wednesday Campanella
I was standing on the grounds waiting for the next act when I saw a lady in a flowing red silk robe walking towards my direction. I soon found out this was Wednesday Campanella’s vocalist KOM_I. She started the band’s set perched atop a ladder on the festival grounds. She eventually peeled off the robe to reveal colorful balloon wings. She was carried on the ladder to the stage while she sang. Later she crowsurfed inside a giant inflatable balloon. It certainly livened up the proceedings.
3. KOHH
Another Japanese act pulled in the crowds back at the White Tent. KOHH (aka Yuki Chiba) got the visibly younger audiences going even though he sang and rapped mostly in Japanese.
4. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
A late addition to the Singapore lineup, the seven-member Australian band tried their best to bring some cheer to the gloomy atmosphere. They succeeded for the most part, with their brand of psychedelic-meets-classic rock causing many in the crowd to dance and sway even in their plastic ponchos.
5. Jagwar Ma
The Australian band were originally scheduled to play in Laneway back in 2014, but an injury sidelined band member Gabriel Winterfield, which prompted compatriot Jono Ma to play a lone DJ set instead. This time, the two, along with bassist Jack Freeman, finally took the stage and delivered a rousing set that I thought was one of the best of the night.
6. Glass Animals
It’s tough not to get into Glass Animals after you’ve heard their insanely catchy single “Life Itself.” The British indie rock band reminds me somehow of Alt-J, who are also Laneway alumni. Vocalist Dave Bayley, who pranced around onstage barefoot, is an acquired taste: some people might think he’s too spastic and annoying, but there’s no denying he got the drenched crowd overflowing with good vibes.
7. Nick Murphy
The man formerly known as Chet Faker first played at the Cloud Stage back in 2015. He got a major upgrade this year at the main stage as closing act. Wearing a tattered white shirt and black jeans, the Australian native played with a full band this time, debuting a few new tracks as well as old favorites, including “Gold” and “Talk Is Cheap.” The bearded troubadour proved he’s not lacking in talent, whether he’s known as Mr Faker or Mr Murphy.
— BM, GMA News
Paul John Caña is a writer and live music geek. Check out his blog manontheotherside.blogspot.com. Email him at pjcana@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @pauljohncana.
