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The Laneway hangover: Recovering from Singapore’s indie music festival
Twenty four hours later—after washing the smell of beer and grass from my hair, sleeping through what was left of the night and waking up early to catch my flight back to Manila, through check-in, immigration, and the Sto. Niño procession traffic on Roxas Blvd. on the way home—I’m still dancing in my head with the clear beat of HAIM’s "Falling" playing on loop in my mental soundtrack.
Such are the symptoms of music-festival hangover—in this case, St. Jerome’s Laneway festival in Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer provide the perfect backdrop to the Derrick and Roscoe stages at Singapore's Laneway music festival.
I’ve never been into big concerts. I prefer small, intimate, gigs set in bars where you’re close enough to breathe the same air as the artists on stage. Even better if there is no stage at all to begin with. I like to feel the music vibrating off the walls, through the ceiling and the floor.
And although Laneway Singapore 2014 was a big concert in a large, open venue with not only one, but three, stages, it still somehow produced a resonating effect that is unlikely to wear off any time soon.
Making a trip out of it
My friend and I made the decision to go when the festival released its early bird tickets in October—which came in such friendly packages as two tickets with SG$30 worth of food & beverage vouchers.
It’s not uncommon for people to fly in from other countries to attend an international music festival like this.
"If they're going to Singapore, I think it's worth it to go...Napaka unlikely na they will go to the Philippines. Parang it's the closest…compared to other festivals like Coachella or Glastonbury. Eh, this one is in Asia—it's the go-to festival for us," said 21-year-old Anka from Manila.
Indeed, it’s no Coachella or Glasto, but St. Jerome’s Laneway festival has been known to bring up-and-coming bands into the light right before everyone else starts to notice.
Previous line-ups have included such current indie favorites as Feist, Gotye, Stars, Florence and the Machine, The XX and Two Door Cinema Club.
A typical Laneway line-up includes over 15 bands, each with sets that last roughly one hour long. For SG$150 (P5400), that’s definitely worth it.
And although Laneway Singapore 2014 was a big concert in a large, open venue with not only one, but three, stages, it still somehow produced a resonating effect that is unlikely to wear off any time soon.
Making a trip out of it
My friend and I made the decision to go when the festival released its early bird tickets in October—which came in such friendly packages as two tickets with SG$30 worth of food & beverage vouchers.
It’s not uncommon for people to fly in from other countries to attend an international music festival like this.
"If they're going to Singapore, I think it's worth it to go...Napaka unlikely na they will go to the Philippines. Parang it's the closest…compared to other festivals like Coachella or Glastonbury. Eh, this one is in Asia—it's the go-to festival for us," said 21-year-old Anka from Manila.
Indeed, it’s no Coachella or Glasto, but St. Jerome’s Laneway festival has been known to bring up-and-coming bands into the light right before everyone else starts to notice.
Previous line-ups have included such current indie favorites as Feist, Gotye, Stars, Florence and the Machine, The XX and Two Door Cinema Club.
A typical Laneway line-up includes over 15 bands, each with sets that last roughly one hour long. For SG$150 (P5400), that’s definitely worth it.
Boots, hats, shorts and maxi skirts are some festival fashion favorites.
Strategic fun
The thing about big events like this is you really can’t just wing it. You need to make plans so when it’s finally time to enjoy, everything will go smoothly without a hitch.
“We strategized which bands we wanted to see,” said Anka. “There were different stages so some you have to prioritize over others if they are playing at the same time. It's wise to have a system so you can maximize the festival.”
“You also have to strategize when you have to eat. Because during the lull times the lines are really long. When you get the chance to buy food, you buy a lot so you have some in your bag for later," she added.
Another thing to factor in is money.
"You really have to invest in the experience," said Anka. "For example the drinks cost SG$8, the food costs SG$10...you won't enjoy it as much if you starve the whole day or you don't get to drink."
Although SG$150 is a small price to pay to see so many bands, it’s still a lot of money, especially for young people like me who are just starting out (as I type I am already making a mental note to save up for Laneway 2015. You should do the same).
The festival factor
Clad in a malong wrapped around her body a la strapless maxi dress, Maan from Parañaque greeted me by saying, “It's pretty hot. Like literally hot and hot like it's the bomb!"
Then more seriously she said, “I really like music festivals; the energy you find here is really amazing.”
True enough, it was quite festive, with everything a fiesta should have—food, drinks, fashion and, of course, music. What’s even better is since the line-up was specially curated, the market was just as select.
Generally, the people who turn up at Laneway are genuinely interested in hearing some good live music in the kind of musical atmosphere few other events can provide.
“Like why do you go to music festivals? Kahit they don’t really know the line-up, it’s the vibe,” said Anka.
"In that venue you'll be able to discover them. Like for me some of the artists, I didn't know. Like yung mga local acts, but when i saw them, ‘Ah okay, okay naman pala sila.’ So it's also exposure to different types of music. I would love to see our local acts din like when we have a gig or a festival of sorts in our country. People would also go to see them.”
"When I go to concerts in the Philippines, people are not the same. Parang the vibe is different. People [at Laneway] were more game, they were more free. Like, they were walking barefoot, some were just wearing bikinis,” she added.
I was not wearing a bikini, but I admit I did go barefoot at one point. Jumping around on the grass is just so much easier that way. In such a carefree environment, it was so easy to let go of my inhibitions.
The thing about big events like this is you really can’t just wing it. You need to make plans so when it’s finally time to enjoy, everything will go smoothly without a hitch.
“We strategized which bands we wanted to see,” said Anka. “There were different stages so some you have to prioritize over others if they are playing at the same time. It's wise to have a system so you can maximize the festival.”
“You also have to strategize when you have to eat. Because during the lull times the lines are really long. When you get the chance to buy food, you buy a lot so you have some in your bag for later," she added.
Another thing to factor in is money.
"You really have to invest in the experience," said Anka. "For example the drinks cost SG$8, the food costs SG$10...you won't enjoy it as much if you starve the whole day or you don't get to drink."
Although SG$150 is a small price to pay to see so many bands, it’s still a lot of money, especially for young people like me who are just starting out (as I type I am already making a mental note to save up for Laneway 2015. You should do the same).
The festival factor
Clad in a malong wrapped around her body a la strapless maxi dress, Maan from Parañaque greeted me by saying, “It's pretty hot. Like literally hot and hot like it's the bomb!"
Then more seriously she said, “I really like music festivals; the energy you find here is really amazing.”
True enough, it was quite festive, with everything a fiesta should have—food, drinks, fashion and, of course, music. What’s even better is since the line-up was specially curated, the market was just as select.
Generally, the people who turn up at Laneway are genuinely interested in hearing some good live music in the kind of musical atmosphere few other events can provide.
“Like why do you go to music festivals? Kahit they don’t really know the line-up, it’s the vibe,” said Anka.
"In that venue you'll be able to discover them. Like for me some of the artists, I didn't know. Like yung mga local acts, but when i saw them, ‘Ah okay, okay naman pala sila.’ So it's also exposure to different types of music. I would love to see our local acts din like when we have a gig or a festival of sorts in our country. People would also go to see them.”
"When I go to concerts in the Philippines, people are not the same. Parang the vibe is different. People [at Laneway] were more game, they were more free. Like, they were walking barefoot, some were just wearing bikinis,” she added.
I was not wearing a bikini, but I admit I did go barefoot at one point. Jumping around on the grass is just so much easier that way. In such a carefree environment, it was so easy to let go of my inhibitions.
Mutual applause: Frightened Rabbit gives the crowd a hand, and the crowd screams for an encore.
Derrick, Roscoe and Cloud
Sun in the eyes, baking on a plastic mat in the middle of The Meadow, I let the dreamy, melodic sound of Youth Lagoon set the pace for the rest of the day. It was the perfect thing to cool my head in the high noon heat.
Over at the Cloud stage XXYYXX stirred the crowd with his sick beats and master mixes. It was five in the afternoon and the floor was alive with an audience that could’ve rivalled any night club party.
Back at the Derrick stage at 5:15, Scottish band Frightened Rabbit delivered an endearingly upbeat performance that caused a wave of clapping, foot-tapping and happy jumping that was just too much fun.
And as the sun made its final descent, the crowd around the two adjacent stages thickened and Daughter began performing their haunting pieces about love and loss.
“You guys are just beautiful. Thank you for this,” said vocalist Elena Tonra in her sugary sweet voice, as if in tears.
From there, the crowd only grew denser. Sister-trio HAIM went on stage to wild cheers and wolf-whistles. Their performance was colored with wild hair-flips and a unique energy that was sensual, aggressive and light-hearted all at the same time.
The much-awaited Chvrches were greeted with even more applause and all over the crowd people rose up on top of their companions’ shoulders just to get a better view or a clearer photo. Their upbeat electronic sound was just what the crowd needed to go wild.
Sun in the eyes, baking on a plastic mat in the middle of The Meadow, I let the dreamy, melodic sound of Youth Lagoon set the pace for the rest of the day. It was the perfect thing to cool my head in the high noon heat.
Over at the Cloud stage XXYYXX stirred the crowd with his sick beats and master mixes. It was five in the afternoon and the floor was alive with an audience that could’ve rivalled any night club party.
Back at the Derrick stage at 5:15, Scottish band Frightened Rabbit delivered an endearingly upbeat performance that caused a wave of clapping, foot-tapping and happy jumping that was just too much fun.
And as the sun made its final descent, the crowd around the two adjacent stages thickened and Daughter began performing their haunting pieces about love and loss.
“You guys are just beautiful. Thank you for this,” said vocalist Elena Tonra in her sugary sweet voice, as if in tears.
From there, the crowd only grew denser. Sister-trio HAIM went on stage to wild cheers and wolf-whistles. Their performance was colored with wild hair-flips and a unique energy that was sensual, aggressive and light-hearted all at the same time.
The much-awaited Chvrches were greeted with even more applause and all over the crowd people rose up on top of their companions’ shoulders just to get a better view or a clearer photo. Their upbeat electronic sound was just what the crowd needed to go wild.
James Blake at night.
And as the night was winding down, James Blake pulled off a fantastic closing with his deep pulsating beats and powerful vocals. I was back on my mat, staring up into the sky and counting the stars.
The air was filled with a heady, infectious breath. Whether you are a hardcore fan of the bands or haven’t heard of them at all, it’s the festival experience that makes all the difference.
It’s the perfect place to start if you’re a beginning festival-goer from the Philippines because it’s the nearest and most affordable of its kind—within the comfort zone but different enough to be exciting.
The crowd in Singapore is especially diverse, with people from all races and cultures coming together to watch bands from all around the world.
I hope that one day we’ll have an international festival of this caliber here in Manila. In the meantime, I’ll make do playing everything on loop in my head as I try to get over how wonderful it was. — BM, GMA News
The air was filled with a heady, infectious breath. Whether you are a hardcore fan of the bands or haven’t heard of them at all, it’s the festival experience that makes all the difference.
It’s the perfect place to start if you’re a beginning festival-goer from the Philippines because it’s the nearest and most affordable of its kind—within the comfort zone but different enough to be exciting.
The crowd in Singapore is especially diverse, with people from all races and cultures coming together to watch bands from all around the world.
I hope that one day we’ll have an international festival of this caliber here in Manila. In the meantime, I’ll make do playing everything on loop in my head as I try to get over how wonderful it was. — BM, GMA News
