Bandwagon Gig Picks: August 2015

ESTIMATED 

We're already past seven months into the year but we're still experiencing an influx of exciting festivals — there also might be more headed our way till the end of the year so look out for more announcements. For August, there are many chart-toppers heading our way, along with dance music favourites, extensive Singaporean music festivals and more! If lavish Steinway pianos and Apl.de.ap aren't your thing, there's plenty more to look forward to in this month of festivities.


KODALINE with special guests SHEPPARD 

LAMC Productions will be bringing in Irish lads Kodaline this month for their live debut here, with indie pop band Sheppard as the opening act. The indie rock band have been riding on a string of successes with their singles ‘High Hopes’, ‘The One’ and ‘All I Want’, which were featured in Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and The Fault In Our Stars.

For Fans Of: The Script, Ed Sheeran, Tom Odell

BANDWAGON TV

IMAGINE DRAGONS Smoke + Mirrors Tour

After the success from their debut Night Visions, the alt-rock band behind the breakout song ‘Radioactive’ is back with new hits from their latest release Smoke + Mirrors. Imagine Dragons will be stopping by Singapore this month for their first show here, treating local fans with (relatively) old and new tracks. With their impressively quick jump into arenas around the world, expect nothing less than a grand showcase of modern rock theatrics when they perform at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

FFO: Bastille, OneRepublic, AWOLNATION

PASSION PIT Live in Singapore

Michael Angelakos and his live band return with a live show to promote their latest album, Kindred. Beside fresh tracks from Passion Pit’s latest release, they’ll also perform breakout hits such as ‘Gossamer’ and ‘Manners’. Catch them live this month at *SCAPE Playground! Check out how their first show went when they made their explosive debut at the Esplanade Theatre.

FFO: M83, Two Door Cinema Club, Grouplove

Echosmith Live in Singapore

A teen pop quartet formed by four siblings — lead vocalist Sydney, guitarist Jamie, bassist Noah and drummer Graham — Echosmith will be performing for their first time in Singapore this month! Started out as a fun project at home, Echosmith burst into fame this year with their massive radio hits, ‘Cool Kids’ and ‘Bright’. 

FFO: Walk the Moon, PVRIS, Against the Current

CODY SIMPSON Live

Youth Day was in July but it looks like August belongs to the young. YouTube teen heartthrob, Cody Simpson will be making his debut show in Singapore. The young Australian singer is set to charm a young fangirls with his teen pop tunes...and his hybridized Australian cowboy charm, from the looks of his promo pictures.

FFO: Austin Mahone, Conor Maynard, George Ezra

QU x SUB:SHAMAN SPLIT RELEASE

It’s the epic split EP we've been waiting for, and it's got a name: ilm. A split release with unique genre-benders Qu and local experimental maestros sub:shaman, the four track EP's launch will be kicked off with a killer lineup of seven acts. Supporting the two bands’ launch are emo math-rockers Forests, mad groove masters The Psalms, funky hip-hop/jazz quartet L.A.B., hypnotic post-prog rockers ANECHOIS and exciting new supergroup T-Rex (from established members of Sphaeras, ANECHOIS, and Amateur Takes Control). A kickass show you would not want to miss, topped off with limited edition ilm cassettes available at the gig.

FFO: The Mars Volta, Deerhoof, Stereolab

Against The Current live in Singapore

Against The Current (ATC) charmed local fans with their pop rock tunes during their co-headlining concert last year here with YouTube star Alex Goot.  The three-piece band is back again this month for another sensational concert featuring new tracks from their 2nd EP, Gravity. If you didn’t make it for their previous show here, be sure not to miss it this time as tickets are selling fast!

FFO: David Choi, Alex Goot, Jayesslee

Nathan East & His All Star Band

The eminent bassist who recorded for big names such as Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Daft Punk etc. made his solo album debut last year. Nathan East brings his arsenal of skills to Singapore this month with his All Star Band, which includes Steve Ferrone (Drummer for Tom Petty and Heartbreakers), Michael Thompson (Guitarist & LA Studio Session Legend), James East (Sergio Mendes), Jack Lee (Korea's No.1 Jazz Guitarist), Kaleb James (Lenny Kravitz band) and Norihito Sumitomo (Japan's top Saxaphonist & Composer). It's definitely gonna be a spectacular show for jazz music fans and gear geeks in Singapore.

FFO: Fourplay, Toto, Snarky Puppy

The Maine Live in Singapore

We've asked The Maine which albums influenced their music direction and they've named Third Eye Blind, Fleetwood Mac, Death Cab For Cutie, Spoon and more. An eclectic bunch, the alternative pop/rock group will be back with new tracks from their latest album this month. Their first show was well-received, we can't imagine this one will be any less exciting.

FFO: All Time Low, A Rocket to the Moon, McFly

 

100 + 50 Music Festival

Most probably the biggest local music festival with a massive lineup, the 100 Bands Festival adds 50 more electronic acts this year, and renames itself as 100+50. With all the SG50 festivities reaching its peak in August, 100+50 is one of the best ways you can celebrate 50 years as an independent nation. Featuring an extensive lineup of homegrown favourites, it'll be spread across three weekends so chances are you'll probably be able to catch at least one day.

FFO: Singaporean music in an open-air venue
 

IGNITE! Music Festival

100+50 may be the biggest Singaporean music festival but it's definitely not the only one. The 8th INGITE! Music Festival this year brings in plenty great local musicians and it seem like rock music will dominate the stage as their lineup this time includes alt rock bands Cadence and Take Two along with post-metal bands In Each Hand a Cutlass and This Is Atlantis. Reps for soul music, Dru Chen and The Good Life Project will also treat the campus audience with their soulful and funky tunes. Not missing hip-hop acts from ShiGGa Shay and THELIONCITYBOY, world music from Wicked Aura and electronic tunes from Riot !n Magenta.

FFO: Singaporean music in a semi open-air venue

UDD Live in Singapore 2015

Internationally acclaimed Filipino pop rock quartet, Up Dharma Down is back in Singapore for another gig this month. Our country does have a special place in the band’s heart as they’ve even wrote a song inspired by their stay in Singapore, which topped the music charts in Philippines. Their gig this month will also feature fellow bands from Philippines: Yolanda Moon, Hidden Nikki, and Skymarines!

FFO: Urbandub, Eraserheads, Sugarfree

Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness 

Former frontman of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin has had a trying and difficult journey in his music career, but it certainly hasn't killed his passion for making music. Andrew McMahon now comes through with an eponymous solo debut album, featuring his inimitable lyricism. He’ll be putting on a show later this month performing latest tracks from him solo release, and of course the classics from his previous bands.

FFO: Andrew McMahon's previous projects, Motion City Soundtrack, The Academy Is...

HOLY GHOST!

DFA darlings HOLY GHOST!, may be best known for their infectious pop music but their latest remix album Work For Hire shows a different creative side to the New York duo. Now set for a DJ set at The Rabbit Hole, they’ll be adding an irresistable disco sheen to tunes by Katy Perry, LCD Soundsystem, Hanni El Khatib, MGMT and more!

FFO: Cut Copy, Classixx, The Juan Maclean


The Gathering with KIMBRA

She’s back again! And yes, this time it’s a solo headline show for KIMBRA! Thanks to The Gathering, local fans will be able to catch the indie pop/electropop star perform tracks from her latest album The Golden Echo live. While her Laneway 2013 set already made an impression, her showcase at Urbanscapes in 2014 completely blew us away. Don't sleep on her, her talent far exceeds a Gotye guest spot.

FFO: Janelle Monae, La Roux, Hiatus Kaiyote

Lost Weekend's Debut Album Launch

Having worked on it for the past few years, indie pop group Lost Weekend are finally ready to present their self-titled debut album. Launching it at the posh Sing Jazz Club, they'll be supported by fuzz-pop quintet Obedient Wives Club and will be releasing their album with a strict download-only format, bundled with t-shirts and elegant pop-up cards.

FFO: Stars, Dum Dum Girls, Ra Ra Riot

THE DEEP END W/ CYRIL HAHN

Moonbeats Asia continues their streak of world-class DJs and producers with Cyril Hahn, a man who can turn even the most unbridled club hits into compelling ethereal tracks. Warping vocals and stretching out instrumentals to unrecognizable levels, his remixes will sound even better at Velvet Underground where he'll be headlining the monthly series The Deep End. Support by Zushan.

FFO: Blackbird Blackbird, Nicolas Jaar, The Magician