The Singapore pop-rock band is putting on a two-day showcase on 12 and 13 May at Mohamed Sultan Road, tackling the issue of urban development with a twist
To stand out these days in the competitive music scene, you’ve got to be a musician who wears many hats – and that’s exactly what the manic folks from The MadHatter Project have done. More than just pop-rock songsmiths with a dense piano- and keyboard-heavy sound, this talented local band now dives into theatre, visual arts, and poetry in their latest spectacle of a show. Yup, you better hold on to your hats.
Unlike other outfits that take themselves too seriously or attempt to put on pretentious ‘rockstar’ personas, The MadHatter Project is quite the opposite. Case in point: their past repertoire includes lighthearted songs about Horcruxes (Harry Potter fans, you listening?), Teochew porridge, and “50 Ways to Live a Normal Life”. Pair these absurd themes with bright melodies and tinges of soul, and it’s no surprise why these showmen (and woman; they have a female drummer because #girlpower) won the coveted Noise Singapore Award in 2015.
Come 12 and 13 May, The MadHatter Project goes beyond your average concert experience – they’ll be putting on a multi-disciplinary production dubbed “For The Time Being”, which hopes to address the issue of urban development and those affected by these transitions. These stories will be told through the band’s compelling and theatrical music, alongside visual art by Ho Zheng Ming and Ang Siew Ching, and poetry by Stephanie Dogfoot. To be frank, I have no idea how all of these elements are gonna come together, but I reckon this mish-mash of creative ideas will be a brilliantly mad one.
For The Time Being by The MadHatter Project, 12 May (8pm) and 13 May (3pm and 8pm), 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 239007. For tickets, visit this website.
And if you want more homegrown tunage, discover these new local musicians in Singapore that we’ve rounded up. Otherwise, check out these best concerts in May if you just want your live music fix.