JJ Lin, The Killers and Lana Del Rey headline this year’s Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, but there’s plenty more music to explore across the circuit. Taking place from 9 to 11 October at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the race weekend also brings together Indonesian indie pop, Japanese guitar rock, British jazz and home-grown favourites.
Whether you’re after an afternoon dance session or a band to add to your daily rotation, here are eight acts worth making time for between the racing action and headline sets.
Coldiac
When: 9 October, 9.30PM to 10.15PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: Indie pop, R&B and synth-pop
Indonesian trio Coldiac make an appealing case for staying out a little longer. Their music brings together pop hooks, R&B influences and synths, offering plenty for listeners who like their indie pop with a groove.
Tracks such as ‘Wreck This Journal’ and ‘TARA’ helped introduce the band, whose catalogue has since expanded to include Lemons Made Lemonade and singles ‘Eksplorasi’ and ‘Jangan Pernah Berubah’. Their 2025 EP Loving You Like This also sees them put their own spin on Indonesian classics. For newcomers, that mix of original material and reinterpretations offers several routes into their sound ahead of Friday’s set.
KIKI
When: 10 October, 6PM to 6.45PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: Synth-pop, nu-disco and dreamy dance music
Bangkok trio KIKI make music for anyone who likes a little introspection with their dancing. Their sound moves between guitar pop, funk, nu-disco and electronic textures, pairing reflective songwriting with rhythms that keep things moving.
Singapore listeners may recognise them from Baybeats, while their festival appearances also include Japan’s Fuji Rock and France’s Les Escales. Get acquainted through Post Existential Crisis or Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster, then check out this year’s ‘Wait a Minute’. Their Saturday evening slot makes them a tempting stop for fans looking to explore Thailand’s indie scene.
Ezra Collective
When: 10 October, 3.45PM to 4.30PM
Where: Downtown, Zone 4
For fans of: Jazz, Afrobeat, hip-hop and a proper dance session
Bring your dancing shoes for Ezra Collective. The British quintet’s music draws jazz, Afrobeat, hip-hop and soul into performances built around rhythm and collective movement. Their album Where I’m Meant To Be earned them the Mercury Prize, and they bring that expansive sound to an early Saturday set.
Dance, No One’s Watching is a particularly good introduction to their approach. Try ‘God Gave Me Feet for Dancing’ and ‘Ajala’ before heading down. Drummer Femi Koleoso has spoken about shaping the band’s music around the momentum of a dance floor, and that spirit carries into their live shows, where getting the audience involved is central to the experience. Arrive ready to move.
Pleasantry
When: 10 October, 4PM to 4.45PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: Dreamy indie music and intricate guitars
Singapore indie favourites Pleasantry reward those who listen closely. The quintet’s appeal lies in the interplay: guitars winding around each other, shifting rhythmic patterns and warm melodies that give their intricate arrangements an inviting centre.
Since Synapses, they’ve remained active on the gig circuit, taking their music overseas and letting songs evolve through years of performances. Their 2025 album Slow Burn captures that patient approach, but the real draw here is catching those musical conversations onstage. Try ‘Constellation’ and ‘Quiet’ before heading down, then listen for how the individual parts come together.
Lola Amour
When: 11 October, 4.30PM to 5.15PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: Funk-pop, Filipino indie and communal singalongs
You may already know ‘Raining in Manila’. Sunday is your chance to get better acquainted with Lola Amour, the Manila band behind it and fellow favourite ‘Fallen’. Their mix of pop, funk and rock makes them an accessible starting point for anyone looking to explore contemporary Filipino music.
There’s plenty of evidence that their songs come into their own with a crowd. At shows previously covered by Bandwagon, fans have sung back lyrics, joined in with ad-libs and jumped through instrumental breaks. ‘Raining in Manila’ even brought the band onstage with Chris Martin during Coldplay’s Philippine visit in 2024. Come with the chorus learnt, and leave with a few more songs to look up.
TOKiMONSTA
When: 9 October, 3.15PM to 4.15PM
Where: Barge Stage, Zone 1
For fans of: Electronic music, R&B and adventurous production
TOKiMONSTA gives Zone 1 ticketholders a reason to arrive early on Friday. The GRAMMY-nominated producer’s catalogue stretches from Midnight Menu to Eternal Reverie, bringing electronic experimentation into conversation with R&B and a wide range of collaborators, including Anderson .Paak, Yuna and ZHU.
For a taste of that range, start with Eternal Reverie. Its tracks move through disco-pop, soul and quieter instrumental passages, with ‘Lucky U’ and ‘On Sum’ offering two very different entry points. That breadth makes her an intriguing pick for listeners who enjoy following a producer across genres.
Polkadot Stingray
When: 11 October, 6.45PM to 7.30PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: Japanese rock and nimble guitar work
If guitar bands are your priority, put Polkadot Stingray on your list. Led by vocalist and guitarist Shizuku, the Japanese quartet have built their identity around tightly arranged rock songs, sharp guitar work and an assertive stage presence.
‘Telecaster Stripe’ and ‘Electric Public’ are useful starting points before their Sunday appearance. Shizuku also takes a central role in the band’s songwriting, design and video production, giving listeners a whole visual world to explore alongside the music. At the circuit, though, the draw is straightforward: a chance to hear those intricate arrangements delivered live.
Momocurly
When: 9 October, 5.45PM to 6.30PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, Zone 4
For fans of: City pop, jazz and atmospheric indie
For a discovery that might take you somewhere unexpected, try Momocurly. The Tokyo-based French-Japanese duo bring together city pop, jazz, indie pop and ambient sounds, drawing on both Tokyo’s underground music scene and French influences.
They also handle the entire recording process themselves, from writing and performing to mixing and mastering. Their music’s combination of grooves and spacious textures makes this a promising pick for listeners who enjoy the softer, dreamier corners of pop. Catch them on Friday evening and give yourself 45 minutes to settle into their world.
View this post on Instagram
Tickets can be purchased through the official Singapore Grand Prix website. Check that your ticket covers the day and access zone of your chosen performances. Plan accordingly and consult the official entertainment schedule before heading down.
Like what you read? Show our writer some love!
-