Escape 56, It’s The Ship, huge parties in some of the best clubs in Singapore and more in our Rave & Repeat round-up this November
We’re already at the penultimate month of 2016, and you can rest assured that the raves are still going strong in Singapore. If you haven’t hit your bust-a-move quota for the year, it’s not too late with this parade of parties we’ve got lined up. Start warming up for trance and hip-hop legends, a dingy warehouse rave, a Mexican Day of the Dead festival and even an EDM spectacular that sets sail on a booze cruise. Whatever beat gets you bouncy, we’re certain you’ll be all hyped after this list.
It’s The Ship: 4-7 November from Marina Bay Cruise Centre
Party sailors and first mateys, who’s up for round three?! You guessed it – It’s The Ship 2016, the massive Malaysian music festival is back to rave and roam the open seas. We can personally vouch for this swashbuckling voyage (see our It’s The Ship 2015 review), and this third edition will feature stopovers in Penang, even more blistering EDM acts such as Knife Party and Dada Life, and special guest host, David Hasselhoff (yes, The Hoff himself!).
It’s The Ship 2016, 4-7 November, sails off from Marina Bay Cruise Centre, 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore 018947. Buy tickets here.
Escape 56 with ÂME: 4 November at 203 Henderson Road
Earlier in September, we found ourselves raving ’til the wee hours of the morning to trippy techno in the unlikely venue of Aliwal Arts Centre, all thanks to one of the boldest and perceptive promoters in the scene today, Zig Zach. And in case you haven’t heard, Escape 56 is back on 4 November, to be held in a dingy, drab industrial estate in Bukit Merah (Haven’t heard of it? That’s the point!). Local DJs, Mr. Has and Maurice Simon, warm up the decks with waves of underground house and techno, followed by none other than Germany’s very own Âme, one of the hugest, most revered names in the deep/tech-house circuits today as co-founders (the other one being the indomitable Dixon) of the Innervisions imprint. Check out our interview with Zig Zach himself to find out more.
Escape 56: The Henderson Project with ÂME, 4 November, 7pm-4am, 203 Henderson Road, Bukit Merah Estate, Singapore 159546. $55 with one drink at door, all payments made via WAAVE.
Dia de Muertos: 5 November at Kult Kafé
You’ve heard about the madcap, outlandish revelries that surround Mexico’s notorious Day of the Dead festival, but have you always wondered about how it’d be like to attend one? Happening at the immersive hub of Kult Kafé where anything can happen (this is where Silent Disco and Salsa Under The Stars took place), this pop-up fiesta hopes to conjure the spirit of this Mexican phenomenon, with Mexican DJs, Mexican dancers, as well as Mexican food and drinks that would make your appetites go loco.
Dia de Muertos Singapore 2016, 5 November, Kult Kafé, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120. Free entry.
NICONÉ & Gunjah: 10 November at Headquarters by The Council
Y’know what else makes Headquarters by The Council (underground ravers affectionately call it HQ) so great? Aside from pushing local labels like Darker Than Wax, it also gives international imprints an avenue to showcase its sound in this part of the world. This November, HQ shines the spotlight on Katermukke from Berlin – home to house and techno artistes like Betoko, Mat.Joe and Einmusik. Reppin’ the label will be these two hotshots, NICONÉ and Gunjah, who bring with them a turbulent torrent of left-field beats wherever they go.
The Council Presents NICONÉ & Gunjah (Katermukke Label Showcase), 10 November, Headquarters by The Council, 66 Boat Quay, Singapore 049854. Buy first drink at $20 to enter before midnight.
Solomun: 11 November at Zouk
One month shy of pulling off Singapore’s biggest dance music festival, and not long before the much-hyped relocation to Clarke Quay, Zouk is truly pulling out all the stops in November. Top of the list is the return of the legendary Solomun, who headlines Zouk’s underground-inclined Soulfeed series with his dominant delivery of deep house – melodious, intimate, with enough thumps and bumps to keep you going for hours. Show up to catch a true master at work.
Soulfeed Presents Solomun, 11 November, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.
Hito: 12 November at kyō
Japanese in identity but a Berliner at heart, Hito delves into a language that both sides of her origin can comprehend – techno. Since moving to the German capital in 1999, the fashionable deckster – she even wears a kimono as she spins – has been picked up by cutting-edge techno don, Richie Hawtin, having played at his famed ENTER shows at Space Ibiza. Ready to make it big on her own two feet, Hito now brings her dark, hypnotic and labyrinthine beats to the basement in kyō.
Forward Feat. Hito, 12 November, kyō, 133 Cecil Street, Singapore 069535, p. 8299 8735. $20 for ladies and $25 for men, both include one complimentary drink.
Roy Davis Jr.: 19 November at Canvas
When it comes to house legends, this is one name that resonates with the purists. Hailing from the birthplace of house music itself, this renowned Chicagoan graces the Canvas decks with a star power that house DJs today revere and respect. He’s been pushing the four-on-the-floor sound since the ’90s, and has worked with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter, so you’re in for a slice of housey history right here.
Foundation Feat. Roy Davis Jr., 19 November, Canvas, The Riverwalk, #B1-01/06, 20 Upper Circular Road, Singapore 058416, p. 9169 3815. $20 (presale with one drink) and $30 (door price with one drink).
Shiba San: 19 November at Velvet Underground – Dance
Much bass. Roller-coaster beats. Wow. The French underground house producer behind club smasher, “Okay”, is the latest booking of local promoters, Moonbeats Asia, who have moved on this month from trap and future bass to more housey predilections. Having been touted by the likes of Claude VonStroke, the floor-savvy Shiba San will serve a driving jack-a-thon of bass hooks and chopped vocals that will have you barking mad.
Velvet Underground x Moonbeats Asia Present The Deep End with Shiba San, 19 November, Velvet Underground – Dance, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.
Ferry Corsten: 19 November at Zouk
Yet happening simultaneously in Zouk’s main room is another seismic rave that the #trancefam will love. A champ of trance since the ’90s, this Dutch icon is still one of the most esteemed figures in the industry despite the saturated influx of EDM, by keeping the timeless genre alive through his emotion-brimming sets and Corsten’s Countdown radio shows. If you like your melodies resplendent and beats in motion, this gig’s hard to pass up.
Transfix Presents Ferry Corsten, 19 November, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.
Midnight Shift Anniversary: 19 November at CATO
Here’s another one for the techno tots: Singapore’s most prolific techno label, Midnight Shift, is throwing an anniversary party and it’s gonna be a real haymaker to your eardrums. Headlining the lineup is Karim Sahraoui from France, whose techno productions have been endorsed by legends like Derrick May and Sven Väth. Jakarta’s Jonathan Kusuma also returns for more experimental escapades, and rounding up the ensemble will be SG-based selectors, Yadin, Haan and Jamie React. Big night!
Midnight Shift Anniversary, 19 November, CATO, 237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786, p. 8299 6434. $15 with one drink.
DJ Yella: 19 November at CÉ LA VI
A hip-hop hero cemented in the echelons of the genre’s hardened history, DJ Yella is one authority who makes his return to Singapore. Best known as a founding member of the notorious hip-hop unit, N.W.A. – that spawned future stars like Dr. Dre and Ice Cube – DJ Yella is a living legend on the ones and twos, with scratching routines that will leave you absolutely awestruck. Turntablism master, adroit producer and charismatic maverick, Yella’s gonna make this party hella rad.
V Series Weekender Feat. DJ Yella, 19 November, CÉ LA VI, SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971, p. 6688 7688.
*Ed’s Pick* One Solid Day Out: 19 November at Old Kallang Airport
Our favourite raves are the ones that you don’t expect to happen, which is what makes this pop-up party so darn extraordinary in our books. Essentially, an elite ensemble of local DJs has come together to throw a full-day jamboree on the derelict, gritty grounds of the Old Kallang Airport, exuding the spontaneous and guerilla vibe of an open-air festival – a concept that’s extremely rare in Singapore. Two main stages will cater to all sorts of punters: the Solid Gold Stage focuses more on hip-hop, bass and soul music, with selectors like DJ KoFlow, alongside local label ambassadors like Kiat and Intriguant from Syndicate, and Funk Bast*rd and William J from Darker Than Wax; while the the One Stage features a bevy of veteran house and techno acts, including headliner Aldrin, and other scene stalwarts like Mr. Has, Oliver Osborne, TrevD, Zig Zach and more. Also turning up the heat will be live musicians (such as Campfire and Sam Rui), breakdancers, graffiti artists and loads more to keep you stoked all day.
One Solid Day Out, 19 November, Old Kallang Airport, 9 Stadium Link, Singapore 397750. Tickets available here.