From a Keong Saik carnival to a silent disco, and raves in the best clubs in Singapore, here are our parties of the month this May
Two things you should follow if you’re looking for the best dance parties in Singapore: quality beats that give priority to the music, and us Honeycombers who will always point you in their direction. As the month of May approaches, we’re making sure that our limbs aren’t too sore from April’s dancing escapades, ’cos it’s already promising a healthy bunch of rooftop parties, club nights, bar bashes and street gigs. Rave and repeat – only way we know how!
Runway 57 Feat. Nora En Pure: 5 May at CÉ LA VI (Editor’s Pick)
We could always do with more girl power when it comes to legitimate, leading DJs. Representing South Africa, Daniela Niederer (AKA Nora En Pure, the high-flying producer who’s a darling of the famed Spinnin’ Deep label) knows her niche and perfects it, without compromising or relying on saturated tropes in the industry. A more upbeat variation of deep house, her tranquil choons are laden with pianos, strings and other classical elements that add grandeur to her grooves. And there’s no better locale to soak it all in than 57 stories off the ground!
Runway 57 Feat. Nora En Pure, 5 May, CÉ LA VI, SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971, p. 6688 7688. No cover charge.
Cinco de Mayo: 5 May at Terra
We told you this rooftop bar was gonna be a new hideout for parties! Strap on your sombreros and come through as fierily as a Tequila shot; Cinco de Mayo is a five-day Mexican festival overtaking the Sky Garden of Suntec City, celebrating the date when Mexicans won their freedom from the French in 1862. Obviously, they haven’t stopped partying ever since, ’cos you can expect $10 tacos all night, drink promos (from 2-6 May) on Margaritas, Bloody Marias and Tequilas, and lucha-loco music courtesy of DJs Kenneth Francis and Anand. Arriba!
Cinco de Mayo, 5 May, 6pm-12am, #03-308 Suntec City Sky Garden, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983, p. 6336 6009.
The Deep End With Moon Boots: 6 May at Velvet Underground – Dance
On a roll from their sweaty, synth-soaked Moonbeats Warehouse Party with Slow Magic and Ryan Hemsworth, the Moonbeats promoters have pulled out yet another bunny from their hat – in the form of one Moon Boots. Crisp and chilled-out, the American producer hovers between spacey nu-disco and melodic deep house; gentle enough for the house rookies, hard enough for the four-on-the-floor addicts.
Velvet Underground x Moonbeats Asia Present The Deep End With Moon Boots: 6 May, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks
Para//el Presents James Zabiela: 13 May at Velvet Underground – Dance
Some DJs claim to know the turntables like the back of their hand; James Zabiela, however, helped build the most popular DJ controller in the world. And in Zouk’s underground-focused room, we’ll be catching the Briton back on the Pioneer CDJ-2000s he helped revolutionise, with a set so steeped in entrancing tech-house and squelching acid house that you’d think you were in a ’90s warehouse rave.
Para//el Presents James Zabiela: 13 May, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks
Sessions Feat. Eric Volta: 14 May at Hotel Jen Orchardgateway
When tech-house tastemaker, Zig Zach, teased the debut edition of his rooftop party series, the location was mysteriously kept hush-hush. But after heading for the first shindig – which had us chilling by the pool, getting buzzed on Champers, and raving ’til we were wrecked – we can now disclose where this sophomore gig’s gonna be. Happening in the heart of Orchard, this sesh will feature saxophonist Kaye, Zig Zach himself, and two of SG’s most-respected veterans Brendon P and Chris Ho, alongside the meditative yet manic house journeys led by Eric Volta. Also *cough*, we hear there might be an after-party at kyō with Germany’s Daniel Bortz, that’s free entry if you drop by here first – just sayin’.
Sessions Feat. Eric Volta, 14 May, 3pm-10pm, #10-01 Hotel Jen Orchardgateway Singapore, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858, p. 6708 8888. Pre-sale $15 (incl. one drink), regular $25 (incl. one drink)
Electro Ball Shanghai Swing: 14 May at The Powder Room
Many are aware that Shanghai was a hedonistic hub of parties in China during the 1920s, but would you actually like to experience it first-hand? Adjourn upstairs to The Powder Room after your feast at The Black Swan, and you’ll be transported nearly a century into the past with this campy, themed party by Sunshine Nation. With Electrocaine’s AVNEESH on tunage duties with what’s been touted to be an “electro-swing showcase”, this blast to the past will feature Hollywood glamour with an Oriental twist, potent KO-inducing cocktails, and acrobats that’ll put your flexibility to shame.
Sunshine Nation Presents Electro Ball Shanghai Swing, 14 May, 8pm-late, The Powder Room, 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704, p. 6438 3757.
Silent Disco Asia Launch: 14 May at Kult Kafe, 15 May at Cato
This unprecedented gig had such huge appeal, that it had to launch a second date after it sold all its tickets in just five days! What’s with all the hoo-ha? Essentially, it’s the quietest rave known in dance culture – each punter will receive a set of headphones, playing music spun live from one of three DJs. You can flicker between channels with the push of a button between house, disco and rock, and as you do so, your headphones will correspondingly change colour as well. Curious? Read our full Silent Disco Asia feature here.
Silent Disco Asia Launch Party, 14 May, 8pm-11pm, Kult Kafé, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120. 15 May, 7pm-12am, Cato, 237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786, p. 8299 6434.
Rewind Feat. Terrence Parker: 20 May at kyō
Ring ring – the Telephone Man returns! If you’re more than familiar with your origins of Detroit dance music, you’ll gladly receive the call of this house legend on decks. While other icons like Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson were pushing the sound now commonly revered as Detroit techno, Parker stuck to his house inclinations, eventually formulating an alternative Detroit house sound that he continues to push nearly 30 years later. Time to witness the history of dance music in the flesh, and not to mention, Parker’s unorthodox setup of using a telephone handset instead of headphones!
Rewind Feat. Terrence Parker, 20 May, 133 Cecil Street, Singapore 069535, p. 8299 8735. $20 for ladies and $25 for men, both include one complimentary drink.
Keong Saik Carnival: 28 May at Keong Saik Road
As if the Keong Saik stretch couldn’t get any hipper! Adding on to the fervour that parades through the street by establishments like Potato Head Folk, this full-day pop-up festival will feature all sorts of extraordinary sights, sounds and tastes. Not only will there be a street bazaar exhibiting fashion labels, collector goods and gourmet nosh, but there will also be art installations and carnival rides. And what about the music? Heck yeah there’s plenty – with two performance stages, you’ll marvel at local acts like Mr. Has, ATTAGIRL! and The Observatory, as well as elites from the China underground scene like Beijing’s Howie Lee and Shanghai’s Busy Gang.
Keong Saik Carnival, 28 May, 12pm-10.30pm, Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089140.
Noon To Moon Feat. Wankelmut: 28 May at CÉ LA VI
The Sunshine Nation party gurus are at it again! Taking over Zouk in April wasn’t enough, and now they’re helming the decks at CÉ LA VI – coincidentally, the other nightspot that’s hailed as one of the best 100 clubs in the world! Starting in the day, they’ve got Berlin’s Wankelmut on board, who’s known for balancing the downcast demeanour of deep house with snappier, techier elements that jolt and jive. This party ends at 9pm, so don’t arrive too late!
CÉ LA VI x Sunshine Nation Present Noon To Moon Feat. Wankelmut, 28 May, 12pm-9pm, CÉ LA VI, SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971, p. 6688 7688. Cover charge applies.