The Singapore Writers Festival is happening on 4 to 20 November 2022. And it's celebrating its 25th edition.
Now on its 25th year, one of Asia's premier literary events "grapples with its origins, ponders what could have been as well as considers the endless possibilities in its future – what can be." This is shown through an exciting array of immersive experiences, exhibitions, film screenings, meet-the-author sessions and conversations, and performances.
Yes, performances. And the musical type, at that. After all, music and literature have always been hand-in-hand in shaping culture and history. We're delighted to learn that the multilingual festival is featuring music artists of various genres, such as opening performance from weish and Concrete Relief.
Singapore Writers Festival boasts quite a number of music-related programmes spanning the entire week. There is definitely something for every type of music lover. And here are 7 musical performances in the programme that music aficionados should definitely not miss!
7. If You Flow My Way: Notes to My Younger Self
13 November, 1:00 to 2:30 PM at The Arts House, Play Den
Perfect for: Women who love music, comics, and being a woman
There are difficult teen conversations and there are difficult teenage girl conversations, the latter something that women can bring with them to later years. In this programme, musicians and writers Keona, Krysta Joy, Stephanie Dogfoot, Amanda Chong, Vivien Yap, and Cheyenne Alexandria Philips talk about the role of music and comics in discussing difficult teen conversations. Andeasyand of A Drip. A Drop. A Deluge: A Period Tragicomedy moderates.
Access to the programme is through your festival pass. More about it here.
6. Sing A Song of Hawker Food
5 November, 11:00 AM to 12:00 NN at The Arts House, Living Room
Perfect for: Family day-outs, especially with those whose children are aged 4-8
Take a look at hawker food and etiquette in a totally different (and musical) light through children's songs and rhymes. The programme asks us to "imagine Humpty Dumpty enjoying kaya toast, Jack and Jill grilling satay on a hill, and the three blind mice eating chicken rice at the hawker centre."
Programme can be accessed through your Festival Pass but requires registration. Learn more about that here.
5. Jikalau di Pulau | If on the Island
11 November, 8:00 to 9:00 PM at the Arts House, Play Den
Perfect for: Those who want to learn more about island natives in the most musical way possible
While history and music rarely come together, they will this November during the insightful performance of Jikalau di Pulau or If on the Island. Across an hour, viewers will be brought into what life was like on Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sudong as performers recount the mistaken identities and loss of cultural heritage of Firdaus Sani and Asnida Daud through poetry readings and musical numbers.
This event is free for all. Learn more about it here.
4. Musical performances at SWF's Festival Village
Various dates across the festival period at the Festival Village (located between Anderson Bridge and Empress Lawn)
Perfect for: Anyone and everyone who loves a good tune
To complete your magical Singapore Writers Festival are an array of live musical performances from some of your favourite local acts. Whether its the soulful stylings of Shak or some sick bets from Aurora, get ready for some great tunes.
Happening all throughout the festival period, attendees will be treated to performances by Shak (4 November), weish (4 November), Aditi & Nilesh (10 November), and Mantravine (18 November), as well as DJ sets from Ramesh K (5 November), Aurora (6 November), Ken Tan (11 November, 6), Matty Wainwright (13 November), Brandon P (18 November), and Joshua P (19 November).
Performances are free.
3. Nusantara: A Sea of Tales
12 November at the NSG Padang Atrium
Perfect for: Those who want to know more about Malay folklore and folk music
Heidi Shamsuddin reads extracts from her new book Nusantara: A Sea of Tales, soundtracked by Orkestra Sri Temasek. The programme will feature a reimagination of Malay folklore in asli and joget, two of Malay music genres.
Performances are free. Learn more about it here.
2. If Flowers Could Speak: A Floral and Poetry Jam
14 November, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Mandala Club
Perfect for: Floral fanatics who love some good spoken word
If flowers could speak, oh the stories they would tell. At SWF's If Flowers Could Speak: A Floral and Poetry Jam, you can hear a collectional florally delightful poetry inspired by everything that encompasses a life of a flower.
If Flowers Could Speak is a ticketed event, with tickets priced at SGD 40. Learn more about it here.
1. Gita Raga
Gita Raga takes poems written by renowned figures in the history of Singapore literature and transforms them into new, beautiful songs. The concert showcases performances by musicians Jatt Ali, Hanafie Warren, and Moliano, as well as vocalists Ryzall Noh and Olynn Saleh. Songs are inspired by the father of poetry Masuri SN and Cultural Medallion recipients Mohd Latiff Mohd and Hadijah Rahmat.
Gita Raga is happening on 5 November, 8:00 to 9:00 PM at the Victoria Theatre. Tickets are available here at SGD 25, SGD 35, and SGD 45.
Don't miss any musical performances at the Singapore Writers Festival. Get your festival passes here.
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