25 editions in, Baybeats 2026 proved that there is still plenty of room for discovery at Singapore's longest-running alternative music festival. Across 3 – 6 September, 48 acts filled Esplanade with everything from crushing experimental rock and abrasive post-punk to homegrown hip-hop and Thai roots reggae. It was diverse, unpredictable and, most importantly, a whole lot of fun. Here are five sets that stayed with us.
Boris
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Few bands can make sheer volume feel as nuanced as Boris. The Japanese experimental rock veterans shifted through sludge, drone, noise, psychedelia and shoegaze with an almost elemental force, building enormous walls of sound before pulling them back into quieter, more hypnotic passages. Heavy without ever becoming one-dimensional, their set was a masterclass in how distortion, dynamics and atmosphere can work together to completely swallow a room.
DAVID BORING
There was something almost hypnotic about DAVID BORING, even at their most confrontational. The Hong Kong outfit constantly alternated between danceable, propulsive grooves and sudden bursts of abrasive post-punk noise, creating a tension between release and unease that kept the room locked in. That push and pull between raw dissonance and meticulous control became considerably more visceral onstage. Chaotic without feeling careless, this was a set that made it difficult to look away.
Kin Leonn x pureblue Ensemble
Kin Leonn x pureblue Ensemble took the collective's already intricate, ambient and contemporary compositions and gave them new depth. Joined by Bryan de Rozario on saxophone, Lucas Tee on drums and Mervin Wong on viola, the ensemble added breath, movement and physicality to music built on delicacy and restraint. Combined with the breathtaking visuals, every small detail seemed more textured and visceral, turning the performance into an incredibly immersive audiovisual experience. The result was a set that felt expansive, tactile, and completely absorbing.
Mediocre Haircut Crew
Mediocre Haircut Crew's return to Baybeats felt less like a comeback set and more like a block party with a few hundred friends. Backed by a full live band led by music director Kenzo Nagari, omarKENOBI, mickeyLEANO and daniKIDDO sounded bigger without losing the easy chemistry, impeccable live flow and stage charisma that have always made them such a fun act to watch. They debuted new material alongside favourites including 'Lose Your Love' and 'Fuck Da System', before ending with a full-crowd sing-along to 'WANNABES'. If there was any rust to shake off, you certainly couldn't hear it.
Srirajah Rockers
Srirajah Rockers brought a completely different kind of vibe to Baybeats — one driven by groove rather than sheer volume. The Thai veterans' blend of roots reggae, heavy dub, Thai soul, lovers rock, ska and funk unfolded with an easy confidence, leaving plenty of space for deep bass and laid-back rhythms to breathe. Warm, hypnotic and effortlessly danceable, the set showed why more than two decades together have made the group such an enduring presence in Thailand's reggae scene. Amid a weekend of wide-ranging sounds, Srirajah Rockers stood out by locking into an irresistible groove.
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