Five reasons to go to Singapore’s Laneway Festival

The Laneway Festival in Singapore is one of the biggest music festivals in the region. Photo: PJ Caña

When St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival announced its lineup a few weeks ago, many longtime fans felt a bit underwhelmed. Either people were growing old, or there just didn’t seem to be any firecrackers on the bill. But upon closer inspection (and a few hours on YouTube), I believe there is cause for celebration and excitement for the first big music festival of 2017.

First, for the uninitiated, Laneway is the premiere festival for indie music fans in the region. First held in Australia, the festival has had an Asia edition in Singapore since 2011, and has grown to be an anchor event in many a music fan’s calendar not just in Singapore but all across Southeast Asia and beyond. A full day’s worth of live music, from some world-class talents, plus food and booze, in a gorgeous venue; what’s not to like?

In recent years, though, Laneway has slowly loosened its fiercely indie pop-rock identity and has made a deliberate shift to include artists in other music genres. Hardcore fans need not fret though as there are plenty of reasons to buy those tickets and head on over to Singapore on January 21, 2017. Here are five of them:

1. Nick Murphy’s debut

People know him as Chet Faker, the bearded bard who first serenaded Laneway audiences back in 2015. This time, after dropping the name that he has gone by since the beginning of his career, Chet is a Faker no more. Murphy released a new track called Fear Less and it’s just as head-turning and soul-stirring as his earlier stuff.

2. Stars and Rabbit

Indonesia finally makes its debut on the Laneway stage via two artists: Bottlesmoker and the indie-pop duo Stars and Rabbit. The latter is particularly worth mentioning as guitarist and percussionist Adi Widodo and vocalist Elda Suryani visited Manila last year, playing an intimate set at Saguijo in Makati. It’s about time the rest of Asia hear the immense talent this duo has to offer.

3. The return of Jagwar Ma

Back in 2014, Jagwar Ma was due to make their Laneway Singapore debut. But it was just Jono Ma who ended up performing a DJ set as fellow band member Gabriel Winterfield failed to make it to the Lion City because of a medical condition. This time, we’re hoping the whole band makes it so we can finally experience the Australian psychedelic group in action.

4. KOHH

A Japanese hip hop artist at Laneway? It’s not as unbelievable as you think. KOHH is something of a twentysomething phenomenon, and is one of the most influential rap artists in his home country. This is also the first time Japan is going to be represented in Laneway (along with Wednesday Campanella), so that’s definitely something to look forward to.

5. And a whole bunch of other artists

The rest of the lineup of Laneway 2017 includes Astreal (Singapore), Aurora (Norway), Bob Moses (Canada), Bottlesmoker (Indonesia), Clams Casino (US), Floating Points (UK), Gang Of Youths (Australia), Glass Animals (UK), Luca Brasi (Australia), Mick Jenkins (US), Mr Carmack, (US), Nao (UK), Sampa The Great (Australia), Sam Rui (Singapore), T-Rex (Singapore), Tasj Sultana (Australia), The Julie Ruin (US), Tourist (UK), Tycho (US), Wednesday Campanella (Japan), White Lung (Canada), and Whitney (US). With a lineup like that, there’s bound to be something for everybody. — BM, GMA News

Laneway Singapore happens on January 21, 2017, at The Meadow at Gardens By The Bay. Gates open at 10 a.m. For more information, visit singapore.lanewayfestival.com

Paul John Caña is a magazine 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.