Pat yourselves on the back, everyone, for we've reached the final month of the year! Time to start clearing all those leaves you've accumulated because December looks jam-packed with concerts and festivals that will leave you exhausted when it's over. Here are our top picks for the month, from danceable indie pop to moody post-rock and some Christmas jazz tunes to keep the holiday spirit going. Oh yes, there's ZoukOut too.
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Yes, they’re back once again. We’re certain at this point that Jonny Pierce and co. love Singapore and hey, we love them too. While they were pretty much near-dominant during 2010-2012 in the indie pop scene with two very successful albums, the band has faced the significant loss of drummer Connor Hanwick but they’ve strived on as a duo with a louder and stronger sound. Now away from days of surfing and being broke, they show no signs of slowing down and we still expect a fun Drums show as always.
You’ll need to grab yourself an invite for this show and with the inclusion of Le1f, we say you'll have to find one fast. An MC whose style is rooted in the fringes of hip-hop and electronic music, his entire career has been glossed with a colorful tinge of adventurousness, being one of the few openly gay rappers in the scene. He’ll definitely put up a show worthy of festivities bearing the ZoukOut name.
A night sure to satiate the most ardent post-rock fan since Mono’s stellar performance here on Halloween, Canopus Distro and Prohibited Projects have put together a robust and diverse line-up of experimental rock acts headed by Japanese post-rock group OVUM. They’ll be supported by similarly powerful instrumental groups like Yata and Arajua along with prog-rock/post-rock/math-rock hybrid geniuses ANECHOIS. If that’s not enough, Astreal and Stellarium will also be there to summon overpowering waves of reverb.
Hyperdub has promptly established themselves as a unique powerhouse in the world of underground electronic music, bearing stunning releases by artists like Burial, DJ Rashad, Jessy Lanza, Laurel Halo, Flying Lotus and more. Now celebrating their 10 years as a label, they’ll be sharing the festivities with us at Canvas Singapore with sets by label head Kode9 and innovative footwork producer DJ Spinn.
One of the longer-running bands that came out of the pop-punk popularity explosion in the early 00s, Yellowcard remains to be ever optimistic by consistently churning out records that see them inching closer to a traditional alt-rock sound and away from the youthful pop-punk energy of albums like Ocean Avenue and Lights and Sounds. This hasn’t stopped them from doing fun and energetic shows, as evidenced from their first show here in 2012. Back again with a new drummer, we’re certain Yellowcard will bring the house down again, as they've said in our interview with them.
We’re still in awe at how Zouk pulls it off every year but they’ve done it yet again, bringing one of the most packed EDM line-ups we’ve ever seen happen here. Heading the ensemble are Above & Beyond, Steve Aoki, Nina Kraviz, Skrillex, Martin Garrix, Dubfire and a whole lot more. We’re fairly certain many of you have gotten tickets but for those who haven’t, I think the line-up’s enough reason to go even if you’re not so big on parties. Read our coverage of ZoukOut last year and our quick-fire interview with Martin Garrix here!
While constantly performing shows, even touring in Japan in 2012, local rock group Caracal have been hard at work writing and recording what is now titled Welcome the Ironists, their second studio album. Featuring a band even more confident in setting the world afire, Caracal sports an even harder-edged sound and they’ll be showcasing that at their record launch show. Supported by experimental rock group Silhouette, you’ll certainly be in for a treat. We took the band to task by asking them about the various records that impacted them throughout the years.
Having made an appearance earlier this year, revered producer Bonobo will be doing his second DJ set this year, at Zouk yet again. Fresh off his ambitious and arduous world tour supporting his latest record The North Borders (of which he didn't bring here, sigh), Bonobo is taking a short break from live performances but that doesn’t stop him from spinning choice tunes for the dancefloor.
Already in the festive mood? This gig would be the proper celebration just before the real party begins on Christmas Eve. Singapore jazz icon Jeremy Monteiro and his special guests will be featured in the 10th edition of Jazzy Christmas. Performing music from his new album Christmas In Our Hearts, join Jeremy as he surrounds you with enchanting numbers that will lift your spirit and fill you with goodwill throughout the year. 
After a successful world tour comprising of packed arenas in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and including 3 spectacular sold-out shows in Singapore last June, Asia’s reigning King of Mandopop brings his first full scale outdoor Singapore concert to the National Stadium at the Singapore Sports Hub, the nation’s newest and largest concert arena on 8 November 2014 (Saturday). Get ready for huge stages, elaborate costumes and mesmerising dance moves as Jay Chou helps to close the year with his most ambitious concert yet.
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