It’s dance parties galore this October: Alfresco activities with weekend flea markets, pool parties, Halloween parties, and raves in the best clubs in Singapore
The pastime of partying is a true test of endurance, and just like the ravers who groove and move to EDM and techno ’til the wee hours of the morning, we never rest in our hunt for the best parties of the month in Singapore. In October, we’ve lined up Halloween beach festivals, pool parties with barbecue stations, day fiestas with flea markets, and some of the murkiest, monstrous techno gigs in town. You’d better start warming up!
Sunday On The Hill – Latin Dance Edition: 2 October at Kult Kafé
Show some Latino love for one of our favourite Sunday parties in town! Promoters, Sideshow, team up with Salsa Under The Stars for an all-day, alfresco family bash of salsa, cha cha, merengue, and other exotic sounds. With gourmet sausages, craft beers, a basketball court and kids activities, this jamboree is open to all ages – as long as you’re not too shy to samba.
Sunday On The Hill – Latin Dance Edition, 2 October, Kult Kafé, 11 Upper Wilkie Road, Singapore 228120. Free entry.
Mija: 7 October at Zouk
Once a fledging firecracker who won the attention of Skrillex, Mija has since come into her own as a fiery bass badass in the DJ circuit. The teal-haired pixie returns to Singapore following her Road To Ultra debut last year, and is back for more sidewinding wallops of trap, bass house, dubstep and other low-end genres. Don’t underestimate this one!
Recess with Mija & Lincey, 7 October, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.
Soulfeed: 8 October at Zouk
If you’re a frequent punter at Zouk, then you’ll know that the main room is often used for the bigger, more star-powered commercial acts where EDM and the like reign supreme. But that’s what makes its new Soulfeed series so unique, as it fills the monumental space with sets of house, tech-house, and other underground selections. Led by residents Ferng and Jeremy Boon, this left-field series also ropes in one of the local scene’s hottest decksters of the mo’, Maurice Simon.
Soulfeed Presents Ferng, Jeremy Boon & Maurice Simon, 8 October, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.
Nakadia & Re.You: 7 & 8 October at Headquarters by The Council
Showing no signs of fatigue – nor the nocturnal crowds who keep the dancefloor swarmed ’til late – The Council has packed yet another back-to-back marathon of overblown techno. Thailand’s Nakadia (she’s played over 1,200 gigs!) returns for more beat barrages on the 7th, and Re.You (who’s made an impact via Sven Väth’s Cocoon label) takes over the Headquarters on the 8th for a blistering set of hard-hitting grooves.
The Council Presents Nakadia & Re.You, 7 & 8 October, Headquarters by The Council, 66 Boat Quay, Singapore 049854. Buy first drink at $20 to enter before midnight.
Simon Dunmore & Dave Seaman: 7 & 8 October at kyō
Two industry giants take over the basement in one underground-fuelled weekend. Bossman of the iconic Defected imprint from the UK, Simon Dunmore (7th) returns as one of the most authoritative voices in house music. Dave Seaman (8th) also plays a comeback gig in the Lion City; aside from having produced for Pet Shop Boys and founding his Selador Recordings label, he also has a sharp ear for quality techno and tech-house that will have punters floored.
Rewind Feat. Simon Dunmore & Forward Feat. Dave Seaman, 7 & 8 October, kyō, 133 Cecil Street, Singapore 069535, p. 8299 8735. $20 for ladies and $25 for men, both include one complimentary drink.
Weiss: 15 October at Canvas
Fresh off its second anniversary, Canvas pushes on with no vacancies in house music, bringing down this fast-rising Briton who’s become a chugging dynamo of the genre. Heavily championed by BBC Radio 1, and supported by the likes of Green Velvet and Claude VonStroke, Weiss now brings his jacking, soulful sound to this riverside nightspot. Say you understand house music? Then you’ll know that this trailblazer’s the real deal.
Foundation Feat. Weiss, 15 October, 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).
Decoded – Pranava: 15 October at Blu Jaz Cafe
Trance fam, where y’all at? True enough, with a saturation of commercial EDM and more underground spots popping up around the scene, trance is hard to come by lately. That’s why The Mint Factory has taken up arms and launched its Decoded nights, a trance series that promises a throwback to rolling drums, angelic synths, and stretched-out breakdowns. Its Pranava edition steers towards a cosmic, psychedelic direction, with a focus on psy-trance, courtesy of selectors Dr. Foo, Mindtrixx, Noisyboy and Vardhanam.
The Mint Factory Presents Decoded: Pranava, 15 October, Blu Jaz Cafe, 11 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848, p. 6292 3800.
Heiko Laux: 21 October at CATO
Uh oh, this one’s gonna do some definite damage. Techno troopers, you’ll be kicking yourself sore if you miss this vicious showcase by Germany’s own Heiko Laux, the founder of one of its most revered techno labels, Kanzleramt. Expect chunky kicks, shrill cymbals and hypnotic synths to be fired your way by this seasoned veteran, who will be supported by France’s 3hm (courtesy of promoters, Interstellar) and our very own Haan.
Interstellar Feat. Heiko Laux, 21 October, CATO, 237 South Bridge Road, Singapore 058786, p. 8299 6434. $15 with one drink.
Field Vibes: 22 October at Cafe Melba
Expect a fun-filled field day with this one! This noon-to-sundown event at Cafe Melba (it’s more than just a lazy brunch spot!) is more than just a daytime rave – courtesy of local DJs like KFC, Brendon P and Nazir. This fiesta is also a tie-in with Tanjong Goodman’s Weekend Market, so you can get both dance and retail therapy while supporting its handpicked charity, the Singapore Children’s Society. And yes, the kids will be entertained here too with bouncy castles, face-painting and kid sports.
Field Vibes, 22 October, Cafe Melba, #01-56 Block N, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Singapore 439053. Free entry.
Pool Party BBQ: 22 October at Sofitel So Singapore
Back for another splash bash in the heart of the CBD, this monthly pool party organised by Eyes To The Front looks to beat the heat. Boasting a bevy of homegrown and international talents – Dan Stoneman, Seng Wei, Shane O’ Neil, DJ Passion, Jordan Odovan and Oliver Osborne – this wet and wild party also dishes out BBQ goodies like beef sliders, wings, truffle fries and vegetable brochettes. How else will you keep your energy up on the dancefloor, right?
Pool Party BBQ, 22 October, Sofitel So Singapore, $10 for entry, arrive before 4pm for one complimentary drink.
Atlantis Fright Night: 22 October at Wave House Sentosa
Even ghosts and ghoulies have to party, and this is one Halloween-themed haunt that’s set to be a real thriller. Blackwhite Productions is throwing another beach fest stuffed with an artillery of EDM, pumped out by local, commercial-friendly DJs like Victoria, Inquisitive, Tinc and more. And not to mention the seismic big-room sounds of Melbourne’s Adam Sky, who will no doubt have your mitts and fists pumping in unison. Whether you come sporting a bikini or Freddy Krueger outfit, you won’t feel outta place at this large-scale spectacle.
Atlantis Fright Night, 22 October, Wave House Sentosa, 36 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099007. Free entry for ladies until 10pm (must RSVP), $35 (early-bird) and $50 (at door) for men.
Danny Avila: 22 October at Zouk
Zouk’s on a roll this month, as it brings down another EDM hot-shot who’s performed at Ultra Music Festival, and is supported by the likes of Deniz Koyu and Sick Individuals – and did we mention he accomplished this when he was only 18? This Spanish beat-slinger returns to Singapore with more big-room anthems, so you’re in for a real rowdy one.
Zouk Soundsystem Presents Danny Avila, 22 October, Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street, Singapore 169420, p. 6738 2988. $28 for ladies and $33 for men, both include two complimentary drinks.