From Pitbull and Soulja Boy, to Sting and Crystal Castles – our Big Gigs of May are shaping up to be some of the most memorable concerts of the year
May you rock? Yes indeed! The month of May ushers in a wicked and diverse mix of local and international shows to town. Metalheads will be rocking out to Megadeth, math-rockers are set to vibe to TTNG, pop fans can brace themselves for Pitbull, while the indie kids have Crystal Castles to look forward to. And did we mention there’s a bunch of local acts dropping their EPs this month too? Here are your Big Gigs this May.
Megadeth: 2 May at Kallang Theatre
Monumental metal band, Megadeth, will be back in Singapore to tour their latest album, Dystopia, which tore through the industry back in January. Go for the nostalgia, and stay for the sing-a-longs; they’ll most likely perform some fan favourites, seeing how memorable their last show was in Singapore!
Megadeth Dystopia World Tour, 2 May at Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397688. Tickets are available here.
TTNG + Mylets: 5 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio
Math-rock outfit, TTNG, and multi-instrumentalist wunderkind, Mylets, feature in this super double bill as part of the 10th anniversary of local record label and event promoters, KittyWu. If you want a refreshing night of amorphous time signatures, polyrhythmic percussion, and organic guitar loops, this is the gig you’ll go to for some brain gymnastics.
TTNG + Mylets Live In Singapore, 5 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio, The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. Tickets available here.
10 Years of KittyWu: 6 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio
With its 10th anniversary (see above!) in May, KittyWu isn’t just throwing one mega show, but two. Also curated for this musical weekend is KittyWu’s mini festival at The Esplanade, which will feature Singapore’s instrumental rock group Amateur Takes Control, Malaysia’s math-rock outfit Dirgahayu, and more.
Celebrating 10 Years of KittyWu, 6 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio, The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. Tickets available here.
Terrible People EP Launch: 6 May at Lithe House
Taking inspiration from bands like The Weakerthans, Brand New, and Modern Baseball, this local emo-indie rock band has released a seven-track EP, and will be dropping it with a little help from other homegrown bands like Xingfoo&Roy, Tapestry and Long Live The Empire. This one’s gonna get rowdy.
Terrible People EP Launch, 6 May at Lithe House, 23 Madras St., Singapore 208418. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Northlane: 6 May at The Pavilion at Far East Square
After three successful albums, Australian metalcore band will be making its live debut in Singapore next month. And you can be sure it’s going to be a loud and explosive set – what more with Singapore’s own Villes opening for the band.
Northlane (AUS) Live in Singapore, 6 May at The Pavilion at Far East Square, 28 China Street, #01-01, Far East Square, Singapore 049570. Tickets available here.
Teen Daze & Mozart’s Sister: 7 May at Kilo
In this indie electronic-centric double bill, Teen Daze and Mozart’s Sister back-to-back performances will be absolutely dreamy. Held at Kilo Lounge, this intimate set promises lush pads, bursts of ’80s synths, and other dancey surprises.
Teen Daze & Mozart’s Sister – Live in Singapore, 7 May at Kilo Lounge, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Singapore 088444. Tickets available here.
sub:shaman: 13 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio
Two years ago, local soundmakers sub:shaman released Outsider, an experimental blend of off-beat rock, jazz and electronica. The intriguing EP also came along with a short noir film the band produced. Now back with new material, we’re glad to see the band retain the unique sound with the recently released track ‘A-Hole’ that is equal parts chaotic and groovy. If something more off-kilter and heavier is something you fancy, this one’s a winner!
Apnea by sub:shaman – An Album Launch Showcase, 13 May at Esplanade Annexe Studio, The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. Tickets available here.
Pandarocketship Rocks Aliwal: 12 May at Aliwal Arts Centre
Back again for the May edition, music collective (and sometimes event organisers,) Pandarocketship will be bringing psychedelic act The Whitest Crow from Thailand for a triple bill with effervescent indie pop outfit Stopgap and blues/rock crew Shak & The Baits.
Pandarocketship Rocks Aliwal, 12 May at Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918. Tickets available here.
Yelle: 12 May at Gallery Theatre
French electropop duo, Yelle, will be taking the Gallery Theatre by storm with their addictive, digitalised beats and playful dance hooks. Having performed at Coachella thrice, these veterans are well-known for putting on a vibrant and bright show with their antics and stage presence.
Yelle Club Party, 12 May at Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, 178897, Tickets available here.
Village People: 19 May at Sands Theatre
As if these guys need any introduction! 70s phenomenon Village People will be camping up in Singapore to celebrate their 40th Anniversary. You know you want to jive along to funky hits like “YMCA” and “Macho Man”. Also, supporting the Village People will be the ABBA-approved Bjorn Again for the added nostalgia. Bring your mom, bring your aunties, bring the whole entire village.
Village People 40th Anniversary, 19 May, Sands Theatre, Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. Tickets are available here.
Soulja Boy: 20 May at Bang Bang
You know the dance (don’t deny it), now bust a move on the dancefloor. The Grammy-nominated and BET Award-winning Soulja Boy – who’s notorious for his eponymous debut single – will be performing an exclusive showcase at Bang Bang, in partnership with Moët. The noughties breakout star has also recently collaborated with Nicki Minaj, Drake and Migos, so you know he’s still packin’ loads of scene cred.
BANG BANG x MOËT Present: Soulja Boy Exclusive Showcase, 20 May at Bang Bang, Pan Pacific Hotel, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595. Tickets available here.
Julien Doré: 21 May at Kallang Theatre
France’s biggest pop star, Julien Doré, won legions of followers when he participated in the French version of American Idol. And since then, he has been crafting his own sound that’s made diehard fans weak at the knees – a blend of electronica and “chanson française”.
Julien Doré Live In Singapore, 21 May at Kallang Theatre, 1 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397688. Tickets are available here.
Crystal Castles: 25 May at Millian
Trust us when we say that: if you haven’t witnessed a Crystal Castle show, you don’t know what you’re missing. Back again in Singapore after a stunning set at Neon Lights 2016, the electronic pop duo will be touring in support of their comeback album, Amnesty (I). This show will be an anarchic and raucous one – y’know, the best sort of gig you go to.
Crystal Castles – Live in Singapore, 25 May at Millian Singapore, 3 Sentosa Gateway #01-05, Singapore 098544. Tickets are available here.
Pitbull: 27 May at Suntec Convention Centre
The dapper canine behind some of the pop industry’s greatest hits – you definitely know “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and “Give Me Everything” – is coming to turn up the heat. Bringing his Climate Change Tour to Singapore is the rap artist also known as Mr. Worldwide. And with appeal as global as his, it’s easy to fathom why.
Pitbull – Climate Change Tour Live in Singapore, 27 May at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039593. Tickets available here.
Air: 27 May at Esplanade Theatre
You can stop holding your breaths now, ’cos the rumours are true: iconic French electronic duo, Air, will be performing for the first time in Singapore. Outliers in the late-’90s electronica boom, Air became one of the most influential electronic acts of the 2000s and beyond with their dreamy and atmospheric style.
AIR – Live in Singapore, 27 May at The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. Tickets available here.
Sting: 28 May at Singapore Indoor Stadium
The Englishman responsible for hits like “Fields Of Gold” and “Desert Rose”, and the face of legendary rock band, The Police, returns to Singapore. The Grammy Award-winning phenom will be touring to support his 12th solo studio album, 57th and 9th, showing that he’s still got it despite his four decades of experience in the game.
Sting – 57th & 9th Tour Singapore, 28 May at Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397691. Tickets available here.