Alright, you party punters, how ready are you for this Sunshine Nation electronic picnic festival at Fort Canning Park? We make sure you never miss a beat or treat
It’s no shocker that we’re huge fans of Sunshine Nation’s Garden Beats Festival (and well, all their other dance music events, for that matter). In fact, we’re giving these party champs so much love, we’re even the official media partner of this electronic picnic fiesta! We skimmed the surface with our brief overview, but for a full-fledged jamboree like this, it needs an essential guide. So here we go: Who’s who on the DJ line-up, the scrumptious selection of food and drinks, the exuberant fringe events, and even some festival secrets like *cough* how to win tickets *cough*. Everything you need to know about the Garden Beats Festival on 30 July is right here. Are you ready?
Who’s playing…
You probably already know how stellar the music line-up is. But for those of you audiophiles who want a more in-depth insight into the acts – who plays house, who plays disco, and who plays everything in between – then listen and learn. Time to warm up!
Bakermat
Something big is baking beneath the Garden Beats line-up, and it’s none other than this much-hyped headliner all the way from The Netherlands. One of the top dogs in the commercial deep house and melodic house genres, Bakermat turns up the heat with his sensual take on dance music – velvety vocals, skipping pianos and dreamy guitar riffs all evoking the soundtrack of summer. And ’cos this is a special live set, we’re hoping to get some live saxophones as well!
Kraak & Smaak
Fresh off their new Juicy Fruit album, this Dutch trio specialises in rolling out a nostalgic disco-glossed sound, reminiscent of ’80s Michael Jackson records. Groovy with plump basslines, squeaky synths and gooey harmonies, these folks will dazzle you with a real blast from the past.
MÖWE
Made up of Melanie Ebietoma and Clemens Martinuzzi from Vienna, this duo is who we’re most stoked to see! ’Cos when it comes to diversity, this fun-to-watch outfit has a whole bag of tricks. From saxophone-soaked deep house to indie dance remixes of The xx, and even sunny shades of slow-mo tropical house – their repertoire will have you busting all sorts of moves on the grassy Garden Beats floor.
Moodwax
This audial chameleon may claim he hails from Pluto, but from what we’ve dug out, he’s actually a Thai producer whose influences stretch out like an infinite wormhole. Placid deep house reworks of Bob Marley, amorous disco-leaning edits of The Weeknd, glitchy adaptations of Aphex Twin – whatever mood you’re feeling, he’s got just the choon for you.
Joshua P
Another scene stalwart whose deck skills knows no bounds, Joshua P is currently the Head of Entertainment (and resident DJ) at CÉ LA VI. So naturally, you’re in for a sky-rocketing selection of house, disco, Afrobeat and other dancefloor gems. This seasoned DJ has been giving punters their mix fix since 1999, so when it comes to reading the crowd, there’s no better authority.
KFC
While most DJs pander to the popularity of house music, KFC is one of those rare treasures who’s keeping the disco scene alive and kickin’ in Singapore. You would’ve seen this veteran helming the decks at Lo & Behold party joints like Loof, OverEasy and Tanjong Beach Club, and if you’re no stranger to shindigs at these places, then you know you’re in for a retrolicious rampage of funk, soul, disco and other golden oldies.
Maurice Simon
Arguably one of our favourite homegrown house DJs at the mo’, Maurice Simon is one charismatic deckster in the underground 4/4 scene, having hosted his prolific Re:fuge residency in venues like Kilo and CATO. Like any adroit DJ worth his or her salt, Simon’s sets tell a well-paced story – never too ferocious or hard, yet brimming with emotion with his gradual build-up of melodies and breakdown of beats.
5 things to do when you’re not dancing your butt off
Don’t know about you, but even we need a breather in between our hours of dancing. And why not? It’s a festival! With plenty of fringe activities overlooking the main stage, you’ll be struck with a severe case of #FOMO if you miss out on these hip happenings.
1. Spruce up your style
No worries if your festival fashion game is weak; the Vaniday Style Corner will doll you up. Get some kaleidoscopic warpaint on your face, or style your very own flower crown to fulfil your hippie Woodstock fantasies.
2. Reach a higher state of consciousness
Another way to get spiritual aside from the hypnotic dance music, there will be meditation and yoga sessions organised by The Mindful Movement from 4pm to 5pm. Om… then nom.
3. Embrace your inner art animal
Just like the last instalment, there will be social art installations set to enhance the good vibes (not to mention the perfect photo opps). Bask in it all while sipping on Strongbow cider and Desperados beer, while getting a tat from the March Baby Collective.
4. Get sacked… in a race
Made your heart stop, didn’t we? On the contrary, your heart will be pumpin’ once you partake in the festival’s potato sack races – how competitive are you? Make a bet: winner gets a whisky cocktail from Jameson, while the loser gets a shave from Hounds of the Baskervilles (not that that’s a bad thing, in our opinion).
5. Immortalise your Garden Beats moment
Don’t leave the festival grounds without taking a photo! Take all the selfies you want, but it won’t look as glam as the shots taken by the Goodstuff Photobooth. Plus, these fellas have props; you can’t go wrong with props.
In case you get hungry…
Don’t forget that Garden Beats is a huge electronic picnic festival, so you’re more than welcome to bring in your own bites. But in case you’re the type who’s useless in the kitchen and can’t cook to save your life (or your mates have gobbled up your portion while you were distracted by your jam), the Culinary Fields will fill your tum with its mouthwatering list of vendors.
Marco Marco – Italian Panini sandwiches that will say ciao to your hunger
Sidecar – Handcrafted, full-flavoured sausages that are truly winner wieners
Lime House – Meats, seafood and salads offering tropical tastes of the Caribbean
Meatliquor – The juiciest, tastiest burgers you’ll ever stuff your face with
Momolato – Photogenic popsicles that will help you beat the heat (you’ll need it)
Kitchen by Food Rebel – Healthy rice salads, acai berry bowls, chia seed puddings and other body-cleansing goodies (you’ll need it too)
Made Real – The festival’s official health tribe selling nuts, dried fruit, granola and other clean eats
Did you know? There’s an after-party!
True that! It’ll be a shame to waste all that adrenaline after those hours of dancing (not to mention, the alcohol high), so don’t worry once the final kick drum hits, ’cos the Garden Beats vibes soldier on at rooftop bar, Terra. Free shuttle buses depart from Fort Canning to Suntec City from 10.45pm onwards, so make sure you catch it if you don’t wanna splurge on a cab. It’s free entry into Terra with $12 on housepours ’til midnight, and DJs Kenneth Francis and Jerls will take care of the tunage.
How to get there
Download the Grab app, book a GrabCar and enjoy your first two rides FREE up to $10 with the promocode “GARDENBEATS”. If you’re riding, enter GRAB@GARDENBEATS as your pick-up or destination point – it’s the best way to find the Garden Beats Festival entrance.
Honeycombers Promo!
Missed the early bird tickets? Don’t mope just yet! As official media partner, we’re letting you purchase tickets at $85, instead of the standard price of $125. Simply use the code “HONEYCOMBERS” when you make your purchase – that’s it!
So I heard there were free tickets…
You heard right! Stay tuned to the Honeycombers Facebook page for our ticket giveaway; we have two pairs of passes to be won. Are you feeling lucky?
Sunshine Nation Presents Garden Beats Festival 2016 Vol. 2, 30 July, Fort Canning Park, Fort Gate, River Valley Road, Singapore 179037. Tickets now available: $55 (flash sale until 17 June), $75 (early bird until 24 June), $95 (lazy bird limited to 400 tickets), $125 (regular), or $75 (picnic special for group of 5 pax or more).