More than just a music festival, Neon Lights also features fringe activities and attractions that will keep everyone occupied at Fort Canning Park on 26 and 27 November
Indie music fans are still shedding happy tears for Neon Lights on 26 and 27 November, which boasts a dream lineup of acts like Foals, Sigur Rós, Crystal Castles, Neon Indian, Blood Orange and more. But what if you need a break from the tunage ’cos folk or post-rock ain’t your jam, or you’re simply wishing to embrace the fringe activities that – in our opinion – are the essentials that truly give character to a festival? Let’s not forget that Neon Lights is both a music and arts spectacle, and if you’re captivated by the latter, there’s plenty to keep you occupied through the full two days, and then some. Here are five detours you can take.
Freak out from the zaniness of zentai
Also blowing minds at The Nest will be UFO project, an abstract performance that combines full-body zentai suits (not creepy at all), choreography, art, drone music and audience interaction. We’re still straddling the line between captivation and confusion from what we saw these fellas pull out last year, and we’re certain that what they have this year will be just as eccentric.
Enter the whimsical world of neo-cabaret
Head to Club Minky, and you’ll stumble upon the side-splitting antics of Bourgeois & Maurice (pictured above), who combine comedy and choons into one mind-boggling neo-cabaret performance. Haven’t laughed enough? Stay in the club, and the Comedy Masala team will have you chuckling with their wit and improv, while The Rusty Nails Sideshow will have you gasping rather than giggling with death-defying stunts and harrowing escapes.
Bask under the neon lights of a futuristic tree
Roam around the Neon Nooks of the festival, and you’ll find the Samara, a three-metre wooden sculpture with iridescent teardrop ‘leaves’ that flicker and glow to create eye-popping patterns – dreamy, to say the least! And if you’re not too hypnotised by this faux-botanical beaut, you can also spot the mesmerising building projections of Radiance, and other art-fuelled attractions from Diskodanny and Daniela Beltrani & Co.
Take money out of the equation in the Barter Market
Don’t have money to buy merch or drinks, but still wish to get a souvenir from Neon Lights? Swing by the Barter Market at The Nest, and you’ll snag trinkets and accessories, and even services like haircuts and tarot readings. The question is: what would you trade for it?
Stuff yourself with all that food
Moshing and mingling will inevitably get you hungry, so thankfully, Neon Lights is packed with gourmet snacks galore. From the Caribbean cuisine of Lime House and Indian fare of Banyan Tamarind, to truffle fish & chips from Wilder and monstrous burgers from The Lab, there’s plenty to keep you stuffed and satisfied.
For more information on the music acts of Neon Lights, check out our feature. As for more fringe events and activities, go to this website.
Neon Lights 2016, 26 and 27 November, Fort Canning Park, River Valley Road, Singapore 179037. For information on tickets, visit this website.