[UPDATE, 18 July: to see the festival schedule, click here.]

Last week, the Esplanade released this year's Baybeats lineup over a series of daily Instagram posts. It was a tantalising process, but we're not complaining – a great slate of musicians are due to perform next month, and many of the bookings mark a change in direction for the festival that's by now become a Singaporean music institution.

Here's the lineup, in alphabetical order. All acts are Singaporean unless otherwise noted:

Akeem Jahat (pictured, right)
Annette
Cadence
Caracal (pictured, left)
Coming Up Roses*
The Cosmic Owls
Disco Hue
Dreebsby*
EMONIGHTSG
Falling Feathers
Force Vomit
The Full Pledge Munkees
Glassmouth*
Hundredth (USA) (pictured, middle)
Kin Leonn
​​​​​​​Knightingale
​​​​​​​Kyoto Protocol (MY)
Love x Stereo (KR)
Midnight Fusic (MY)
Mooner (ID)
Osr313*
Paris in the Making
Pleasantry
Sangriento*
Sherene's Closet
Superman is Dead (ID)
Terminal Cry
Totemo (IS)
Trust the Chaos*
Wormrot
​​​​​​​Yung Raja x Fariz Jabba
Zamaera (MY)

*Baybeats budding bands

What's particularly notable about this year's lineup is the excellent rappers – Akeem Jahat, Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba and Zamaera – booked for a festival that's not historically had a strong hip-hop presence. Hundredth's position on the lineup (Bandwagon had previously reported that they would be touring Asia, and making a stop here) also makes them the first American artist booked for Baybeats in a while.

A few other local acts of note: Force Vomit, who will return to Baybeats for their first show since 2016; Sherene's Closet, who were active in the 90s and are making a comeback with new music in the works; Kin Leonn, a member of dream pop trio midst, who is stepping out on his own as a KITCHEN. LABEL signee; EMONIGHTSG, the beloved emo and pop-punk club night; and Caracal, who will return with new music and lineup.

On the whole, Baybeats this year looks like it's going to be a hell of a ride – it's time to strap in.

Baybeats 2018 will take place 17 to 19 August 2018 at the Esplanade. The festival is free.