Here’s everything you can expect at the Fort Canning festival – DJs, tickets, food and drinks, after-parties and more
You asked for more, and Sunshine Nation heard you loud and clear – the Garden Beats Festival is back! This electronic picnic festival drew so much hype last year, that it had not one, but two dancey instalments at Fort Canning Park. And guess what, party peeps? We know exactly when the next one will be.
Starting scribbling the date down in your calendar: the first Garden Beats Festival of 2017 will be on 18 March. The venue remains the same, as does the concept where attendees can lug along their own pre-packed snacks and consume them on festival grounds – a notion that’s frowned upon at most festivals. We could introduce to you all over again how Garden Beats stands out from the music festival circuit, but you’ll probably get a more vivid impression if you read our Garden Beats review features.
But for those of you who are already Garden Beats pros, we’ll cut to the chase. Here are some things you can start looking forward to at the first Garden Beats Festival of 2017.
The lineup is still superb
Not only is the Garden Beats ensemble a top-tier one, but it also captures a sound that’s distinctively characteristic of the Sunshine Nation brand. Expect a flamboyant fiesta from Ava Asante; the granddaughter of a Ghanaian King, Ava combines suave deep house beats with spiritual Afro-style vocals and even live violins that capture a rich sound fit for royalty. The mavericks behind Autograf finally make their way to Garden Beats too, for tropical house choons you can cruise to.
And get blown away by German headliners, Tube & Berger, for a classy deep house set that would cater to even the pickiest of punters. Top talents from the local scene are also slated to open: Julian Brochard (Headquarters by The Council), Brendon P (CÉ LA VI) and KFC (The Lo & Behold Group).
Pigging out while partying is totally acceptable
Lest your kitchen skills are practically non-existent and you’ve prepped nothing for the picnic, fear not! The Garden Beats Festival will have your appetites covered with tantalising f&b vendors courtesy of Deliveroo’s Culinary Fields. Last year attracted booths from Lime House, MEATliquor and Marco Marco, so you know that Sunshine Nation’s got good taste! Stay tuned for more.
It’s a full-fledged festival experience
At Garden Beats, it is all fun and games. Forget about #adulting and partake in Guavapass-sponsored activities like sackracing, croquet, and Giant Jenga (this never gets old). And to rock the festival fairy look, head to A Better Florist’s booth for floral prints and flower crowns; while you can get your warpaint on thanks to MarchBaby’s tattoos and Vaniday’s face-painters.
The party doesn’t end at Fort Canning
You betcha – the night goes on at the official Garden Beats after-party! Keeping the beats bumping and thumping all night at an industrial area occupied by the Sunshine Nation Factory (more deets soon), this post-party party has guest acts, Teenage Mutants, helming the decks with more deep house goodies.
Early Bird flash sales have begun!
Don’t say we didn’t warn ya: the Early Bird flash sale kicks off today until 18 January, with tickets going for $65 instead of the regular $105. The Lazy Bird sales take place after until 26 February, with tickets at $85 each. Groups of five or more can purchase the Picnic Special ($95 each) which include one Strongbow Cider per person, one Strongbow picnic mat, and one MadeReal snack box. And if you miss the regular sales (snooze, you lose!), tickets still sell at the door for $125.
Sunshine Nation Presents Garden Beats Festival 2017, 18 March, Fort Canning Park, Fort Gate, River Valley Road, Singapore 179037. Tickets now available at this website.