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Somehow, i wont........... too much visual 'packaging' even though she may be a talented singer... no offence to her fans here

Recently, I had a scare at work. My laptop was suddenly unable to access the Internet despite working fine the entire day. A check with IT showed that the browser I was using, Arc, had somehow triggered the Falcon cybersecurity program, which promptly locked down my laptop despite the browser having worked fine for almost a year at that point. While I thankfully had cleared out my video backlog before it happened (most of them pending approval, a couple ready to publish), I was unable to access the Internet both for research (and background music/videos for stimulation) and my blog drafts on Google Docs, so I ended up writing a fair bit of this post in Microsoft Word before it was resolved. Amid my initial restlessness, I started to wonder about how the world we live in has become so hyper-connected that any inconvenience, as I found out, can cause major disruptions to our lifestyles. A CATCH-22 SITUATION Much has been said about the effects of digital tools like the Internet and social media on its users. Regardless of whether you do the finger-pointing or find yourself on the receiving end of someone else’s, we can all plead guilty to spending more time with devices than we’d like. If not doom scrolling, we’re putting aside healthy activities like sleep and going outside to finish a binge watch of a new Netflix series, or play one more round of, I don’t know, League of Legends. Outside of leisure, the average worker is still interacting with digital devices for work. We often hear of how hard it is for Singaporeans to avoid working after official working hours, but even within those hours, we spend so much time looking at screens that there is plenty of documentation of health problems arising from looking at one thing (a screen in many cases) for hours on end. “But… but we need to get work done to survive,” one might argue. Truly a depressing realisation. IS THERE REALLY NO HAPPINESS (WITHOUT DIGITAL DEVICES)? There has been a resurgence of offline lifestyles, perhaps a pushback against the increased digitalisation of our lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. They can manifest as “digital detoxes” where practitioners abstain from technology completely for brief periods of time, as well as solutions like turning our existing smartphones into “dumb phones” to reduce device use to essential functions like communications (i.e. phone calls and messages). There is even “digital minimalism”, a term coined by American professor Cal Newport who promoted a process of deliberate engagement with technology in a book of the same title. This was my second time seeing Porter Robinson in person, after the Singapore stop of the Nurture Live Asia Tour 2023. I thought that was one of my best nights of 2023, but the Smile World Tour turned out to be even better in terms of audience participation. In the same vein, I attended Porter Robinson’s Smile World Tour (why can't I un-emoji my text?) at the Star Performing Arts Centre when he stopped by Singapore towards the end of November 2024. I took quite a fair bit of videos and photos as keepsakes, but since there’s always at least one person recording the entire show, I can’t help but feel I would’ve enjoyed myself even more than I already did if I kept my phone away more. The guy on my right sure had the time of his life though, singing his heart out to every word without shooting a single video. Perhaps I should try putting down my phone more often. Videos are nice, but they’re not as good as the real thing. ~ Wei Feng Cover image: Yazid N on Unsplash Images from: Kev Costello on Unsplash, Myself

The Youtube algorithm is annoying. Click on a few videos from the same broad ‘topic’, and suddenly your entire Youtube home page is filled with similar videos elbowing out all your usual ones. It then takes quite a while before your ‘normal’ recommendations start appearing again. So, the latest Youtube rabbit hole I’ve recently tumbled down into is a very particular and specific one - orchestral ‘club’ music. It’s basically music you’d associate with clubbing - usually EDM but not limited just that, but performed by orchestras instead of the typical DJ. The correct answer is always.. Darude Sandstorm I enjoy classical music, especially orchestral music, though I certainly don’t listen to it on a regular basis. But I do enjoy a good orchestral concert (the most recent Distant Worlds was glorious!). And yes, while I won’t say that I’m a massive fan of EDM or dance music in general, I think there is a part of me that finds that kind of music… familiar. After all, it’s music that I was regularly exposed to in my younger, partying days. It’s far from my go-to genre of music on a day-to-day basis, but it can be occasionally invigorating. I do enjoy it, time to time. What I find particular intriguing and interesting is the intersection of the two. On one hand, you have orchestral music, which is often thought of as very bourgeois, atas, high-culture, etc. It’s also exactly the kind of music that most people would associate with being quite high-brow, perhaps even a little stuffy – orchestral performances would stereotypically involve people in tuxedos and evening gowns sipping champagne. On the other hand, you have dance music. Nothing against it personally, but I think there’s definitely a perception among many people that its ‘clubbing’ music (and the perceived debauchery that can be associated with it), which can be construed as ‘less-classy’. Instead of tuxedos and champagne, it’s maybe more crop tops and tequila shots. You could certainly make the case that on a so-called ‘musical spectrum’, these two genres would exist on either far end of it (though I would not for a moment propose that any ‘spectrum’ would exist in a simple, linear form). You typically won’t expect fans of one to like the other. And it’s fascinating when seemingly opposing worlds collide. Part of why it is so intriguing to me is the basic assumption that they “could not”. How could these seemingly disparate things intersect, let alone flourish? And this doesn’t solely apply to music. In all instances, I am fascinated when people manage to make the “unworkable” work. Hamilton: A marvellous intersection between cutting political commentary, hip-hop beats and rap, and the musical theatre stage. Chess Boxing: People alternate between sophisticated strategy and punching each other in the face. Even TV: When a serious drama suddenly decides to do a whole episode as a musical. Beyond anything, you must admire the ambition that goes into these endeavours; daring to not just think outside the box, but break it, even. Such experimentation may not always yield success, but when they do, the results tend to be impressive. But back to classical EDM. Proof of concept that orchestral EDM is awesome: It's even now featured at what is arguably the biggest dance festival in the world I particularly like how many of these acts now perform at events/festival within the same lineup as ‘normal’ DJs, playing to the same party-loving crowds. I do think it speaks to the universality of music, and also underscores the fact that music, at its very core, is constructed using a pretty standard ingredients list. To be fully technical, it’s really just notes and frequencies, right? So, regardless whether it’s a trumpet, oboe, cello, or synth, these are all flavours developed using the same fundamental ingredients. And in the specific case of EDM, a lot of it tends to be constructed using digital versions of real instruments. In the case of these symphonic interpretations, you could even see it as the orchestra taking the tracks back to their original roots – played using instruments rather than a KORG MIDI pad. Look past the technical aspects, however, and I think the other aspect that I enjoy the most is the ability to bridge these two seemingly unbridgeable worlds. Just as you see the crowds lapping up EDM classics, so too are the musicians in the orchestra bopping their heads and playing with massive grin on their faces. And of course, the conductor absolutely having the time of her life (it’s a fun contrast against a more ‘typical’ depiction of a conductor, such as in the movie Tar). It’s fun precisely because it embraces the fact that its different and unusual. And yes, maybe it says something about me also that unusual things especially appeal to me. And even in a traditionally 'classy' place like Royal Albert Hall, this same cross-genre of music has gained traction Music, like many (arguably most) other things, exists across a wide-spanning spectrum, and people can often be too ready to pigeonhole themselves and each other some way or another. It is perhaps in these daring crossovers that we can all better appreciate the commonality of all the things we enjoy, and to embrace the fact that our lived experiences, while certainly different, don’t have to remain distinctly apart. Now, time to find a new Youtube rabbit hole. Drunk History might be next. ~ Desmond Images from Unsplash

On 4 March 2024, Sum 41 performed in Singapore for the last time, on what is their final (and farewell) tour. It wasn’t supposed to be. They were slated to perform last year, in fact, but had to cancel due to a family emergency. When that news broke, I was heartbroken. But finally, I got a chance to see them. For the very first and very last time. It was… a lot. Underclass Hero Deep down, I am an emo 90s kid. Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, Lifehouse, My Chemical Romance, Evanescence, Blink-182, Paramore, Good Charlotte, Taking Back Sunday, Placebo, Saosin, these were many of the bands that soundtracked my childhood and early teenage years. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to see many of them live. And now, Sum 41. And while my Spotify playlist typically comprises music from that late-90s/early-00s era, I don’t actually use Spotify that much. I mostly listen to podcasts, as well as vinyl. Which is to say that I don’t listen to Sum 41 on any kind of regular basis. As a result, this concert was all the more surprising, and all the more special. It was remarkable to hear many of these songs of my childhood (some I’ve perhaps not heard in years), rocking out hard amidst a throng of other (clearly not very young) fervent fans. And if you know anything about Sum 41’s music, its… angsty, to say the least. That rebellious attitude is one that resonates loudly and proudly within the Star Theatre. And it was an emotional rollercoaster. I screamed, laughed, rocked out, even cried. With Me Trying to make sense of it is difficult. Why? It’s not simple sentimentality. It’s not even that it was a highly fun or enjoyable show (though I thoroughly enjoyed myself). There are some concerts and artists where the joy emanates from the musical complexity, or perhaps the performative theatricality. There are shows that uplifts you, inspires you, and captivates your imagination. This wasn’t that. It was something much more raw, and much more personal. The music taps into darker emotions – anger, loss, sadness, frustration, loneliness, grief, regret – and the collective totality of these songs resonate with a very particular part of my brain. It evokes feelings and memories from a particular period of life that will always have a rawness to them. Amidst the raucous music and heavy riffs, there are moments of introspection. As the music fleetingly transports me back to my 15-year old head space, dark with feelings of angst and otherness, difficult questions worm their way to the fore: “Is this who I am? Is this all I ever was? Is this who I’ll always be?” “Have I changed? Have I grown?” Music offers catharsis. Hearing it loud and live, amongst friends and strangers who are all having their own emotional reactions to it, it is all amplified and brought into even starker relief. And I think precisely because I don’t listen to Sum 41 regularly, hearing songs that I haven’t properly listened to in years, some I have perhaps even slightly forgotten, it opens a dormant volcano of emotional memories. There is an immediate reckoning to be had – with who you were back then, and who you are right now. And some answers can be found, incomplete as they may be. The struggle for self-determination never fully ceases, but there is a sense that now, decades on, we have at least a better grasp of it. And in that moment, as the closing notes of So Long Goodbye ring out, it all feels… okay. Of course, it’s made all the more intense by the fact that this is their farewell show. This is the last time – adding an additional layer of wistful loss to the already overwhelming slate of emotions. Walking Disaster I don’t claim to be the biggest Sum 41 fan. Instead, their music is integral to a complex sonic tapestry that tightly cocoons those teenage feelings and emotions. And it is precisely that inseparable connection between music and memory that makes moments like these so powerful. With voices breaking, eyes watering, ears ringing, the live experience delivers overwhelming moments of catharsis. Joy and sorrow, elation and angst, the spectrum of emotional feedback pouring out as Deryck Whibley sings and screams his way through their greatest hits. To some people, it might just be a concert by an angsty, emo band that’s perhaps lost some of their relevance today. But for the people there, and certainly for me, it was a glorious yet emotionally complex moment – two decades on from my most formative years, the music still reveals and resonates, equal parts reflection and affirmation. This will be the last time, Sum 41’s great big farewell. It was everything I wanted, and everything I did not know I needed. ~ Desmond

🎵 Listening to this playlist while reading will give you a fuller experience of this post Frankly, I was never a Coldplay fan. When the band announced their Music of the Spheres world tour in Singapore, I remembered going "Oh". But clearly, my loved ones were thrilled. Just by reading, you can probably tell how starkly different our reactions were to the same event. Nonetheless, I was happy to join the party to see for myself what brilliant performers Coldplay are, as I've heard. We camped for the tickets and failed to secure a n y for all of the three nights (hurhur). We were disappointed; I was disappointed. Coldplay, for sure, heard our disappointment because not too long after, they added another three dates to our tour stop. We rejoiced, we fought against the bots, and we got them. I was excited, but at that point, I was certain much of it was sheer excitement from securing a spot at the show. Boy, was I wrong. Six months later, I'm a convert. I remember that heady feeling of being uplifted from their anthemic tunes, the fuzzy burst of warmth when Yellow and Fix You came on. I remember jumping to Viva La Vida and tearing up at Everglow – a song whose lyrics I've come to truly appreciate as I got older. But this isn't going to be a review of their performances because I'm positive the web must already be inundated with tons and tons of them. The show was out of this world, yet something else also took centre stage for me. Music is an even more universal language than we think When everyone was bobbing to Coldplay's music, one dedicated section was, too. Unlike many other concerts I've attended locally, theirs had a "Sign Language Area" carved out specially for the deaf and hard-of-hearing fans. There, sign language interpreters danced hard to the rhythms of the setlist, to offer as contextually accurate and as vivid visual interpretations of the lyrics as possible. Apparently, the interpreters did their homework beforehand: Every gesture was matched to the meaning of each song, and researched to a tee (cries). That wasn't all, though. What overwhelmed me with goosebumps was how fans with special needs could soak in the full experience, thanks to Subpac vests prepared by Coldplay. How these vests work is by sending vibrations that pulse right through the bones to the inner ear of those wearing it. That way, the user can feel the beat of the music just from wearing the vest. It's this very consideration for understanding how people with hearing impairment are able to enjoy music that impresses me. And this heart for making music accessible to all, the essence of inclusivity in its truest form. People have praised Coldplay for "setting game-changing standards" for the local deaf community. But to me, what Coldplay has done is life-changing. Go to a concert and power the performances Again, this was something that threw me off my feet. Maybe I haven't been around enough but it doesn't seem very often that artistes stick to their ideals so much so that their performances are fuelled by these convictions. In the band's words, they were willing to pause touring until they could find more sustainable ways to do it. That's some hardcore pledge. If, like me, you were at one of Coldplay's recent concert tour stops, you would have seen or even experienced for yourself the kinetic dance floors (jump pads) and energy-storing bikes. Show-goers could dance, jump, paddle and basically move around as much as they liked to generate energy captured in batteries that run elements of the concert. It was fun and honestly a very, very clever idea. It didn’t feel one bit out of place yet maximised the show experience for fans. Here, Coldplay brings the concept of sustainability to their everyday life, as well as ours. The band that knows what it's doing From breathing inclusivity to infusing their performances with sustainable efforts, Coldplay knew what they were doing. They did it well, did it zestfully, and in a style that's uniquely theirs. Call them opportunists but I'm a fan of well thought-out executions and above all, a dedication to doing well at what they love and believe in. – Denise Media from: Coldplay, Spotify, 8dayssg

For all rock music fans : Slash (rock guitarist) playing in Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia on 14 February 2015. This concert will feature rocker Myles Kennedy who some say sing better than All Rose. Details : http://galaxy.com.my/index.php?view=event&ref=194&lang=en The difficulty will be on how to convince the wife/gf to let you go on Valentine's Day.

Woo hoo! U2 will be having their first concert here around Nov/Dec 2019. Mark your calendar! https://sg.yahoo.com/style/theyre-finally-here-rock-giants-u-2-to-perform-in-singapore-for-the-first-time-000208671.html

If your child ask to watch a Korean k-pop concert that cost $300, what will you say ?

It's Official: Reunited GUNS N' ROSES To Play This Year's COACHELLA Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/its-official-reunited-guns-n-roses-to-play-this-years-coachella/ Is this for real?! I had given up hope that they will ever reunite! My ultimate dream is to see them live in Singapore, but highly impossible.

SEONGAM (AFP) - Sixteen people were killed and nine others seriously injured when a ventilation grate gave way while they were watching an outdoor pop concert in Seongam south of Seoul on Friday, rescuers said. “They were standing on the ventilation grate to get a better view when it collapsed under their weight,” a spokesman for the local fire services told AFP. Rescuers said 16 were confirmed dead, but added the death toll might rise with some of the injured understood to be in critical condition. Television reports said the 25 people fell more than 10 metres into an underground parking area when the grate collapsed. Amateur video footage obtained by the YTN news channel showed shocked spectators surrounding the collapsed grate as the popular all-girl K-pop band 4Minute, apparently oblivious to the accident, continued performing on the stage. More than 700 people were believed to be attending the outdoor concert. “There was a sudden, loud screaming, and when I turned it looked as if people were being sucked down into a hole,” one witness told YTN. A woman standing nearby said a great “cloud of dust” billowed up from the ventilation shaft after the grate collapsed. Most of the dead and injured were believed to be students, YTN said, adding that the concert organisers had repeatedly urged the spectators to move off the grate before it collapsed. South Korea has suffered a recent series of catastrophic accidents involving young victims, including the sinking of the Sewol ferry in April that left more than 300 dead, most of them high school students. In February, the roof caved in on a student-packed auditorium near the southern city of Gyeongju, killing 10 people and injuring more than 100. An investigation uncovered evidence of structural flaws and lax management controls. The Sewol disaster prompted government promises of a national review of safety standards, as it became clear that poor regulatory oversight was a major contributor to the scale of the tragedy. - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/music/story/14-feared-dead-collapse-s-korea-pop-concert-20141017#sthash.e5syEOdg.dpuf Bad year for SK.... RIP

If you free there's this concert going on http://www.adac2017.com/breakin.html#section1 Free entry and registration, it's for the anti drug abuse campaign. Do support it!

Anyone going to the concert? Can't wait!! Also a gentle Public service announcement: Remember to buy your pre-sold parking ticket now as spaces are limited. Click here : http://sportshubtix.evenue.asia/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventList?groupCode=CP&linkID=global-ssh01&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode= VENUE: NATIONAL STADIUM DATE: 1 APRIL 2017 Doors will open at 6:30pm The show will commence at 8:00pm The supporting act Jess Kent will begin at 7:00pm I

Hey all daddies can share info on your child's k2 graduation concert. Understand that all schools different policies, thus charging differently. But just want to get a feel of the supposedly "atas branded" preschool vs the normal ones. Quite buay song that after new management took over this year, my girl concert will b held at atas place (somewhere sentosa) and costs $180 per child (regardless of age..those playgroup kids same price) Parents are charged $70 per head. siblings @$45 Too godam hiong for my taste..haiz

Attended a free concert at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, at the National University of Singapore recently. They call this event, "Let's make a musical friend". This conservatory is the first in Singapore to offer full time studies, leading up to Bachelors or Masters of music degrees. It is located next to the Lee Kong Chian history museum (where they are exhibiting the sperm whale). The conservatory has a very cool building. From the inside, it looks like this. The first part of the event was held in the conservatory concert hall. A beautiful hall! The whole idea of this event is not some high-brow classical music concert that would certainly put the kids to sleep. Rather, it was designed as a fun event, to showcase the classical instruments of an orchestra to the families and kids. For a start, here was the introduction to the woodwinds. Which instruments are these? Flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon. The instrumentalists on stage. All studying at the Yong Siew Toh. Next, introduction to the instruments of the marching band - BRASS! Loved the surprise surround sound and the way the students marched in. Just 5 instruments and the sound was gorgeous. Next, strings. I think all of us are familiar with the violin. But there is also the viola, cello and later on the double bass. In this picture, there were all holding up their bows. The emcee was comparing their bows to lightsabers. After the strings, came the percussion. Too many instruments to name, so the emcee didn't name them. The performance was pretty good. And finally, the entire orchestra came out on stage to perform, the theme from Harry Potter! Very nicely done. The acoustics in the concert hall were fantastic and the kids were rather well behaved! After the concert, we could attend what they call sectionals, or information sessions for the various instrument groups. We decided to check out the woodwinds. Here is one student playing a short phrase from Swan Lake, on the oboe. Overall, it was a wonderful afternoon spent. Kids had plenty of fun. They hold this event once a year, at about this time of the year (usually March holiday weekends). So go catch it if you are interested to expose your kids to classical music.

Anyone want to go? http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/celebrity/russell-peters-returns-singapore

Holy moly....AIR SUPPLY BACK IN SINGAPORE ....one night only....40th anniversary http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/air0315 how many times do air supply has to come to Singapore - it is like a yearly affair.

Anybody going? October 24th 2014 at the new Sports Hub. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icp-vzNs0i8 http://www.sportshub.com.sg/sportshubtix/Pages/mariah-carey-singapore-2014.aspx

hi all, not sure if this is the correct section to post this. i have 3 tickets of 徐小凤2014新加坡演唱会 Paula Tsui 2014 LIVE in Singapore on the 2 aug. there are in CAT3 first row. very good seats. there are $268 each with processing fee is at $271 each. unable to go due to unforeseen issues. interested party, please pm me

Anyone went for this concert at RWS tonight?

Hi peeps! Planing for a romantic evening concert with my wify as it's been quite a while since we went to 1 Anyone also going? I think Richard's voice live would be awesome!!!

Have not gone to a concert for a long time, and going to indoor stadium tonight How is the parking and after concert traffic nowadays? Used to be quite bad and have to wait up to 1 hour to clear the open air carpark after concert ends. Is it still like that? Anyone has any tips?

Hi All I am going for a concert at indoor stadium soon. Just saw in the SISTIC website that no photography/videography is allowed: 21. No photography, audio or video recording is allowed during the Event unless otherwise stated by the Promoter. I intend to bring my DSLR with 300mm lens. I have not been to any such concerts for a long time so can anyone can tell me if they really enforce this rule? I don't want to end up going there and then cannot bring into the concert hall. Especially since i am going to rent the lens @ $100. Thanks.

Hi all Just wanna check if anyone knows where I can buy this? Helping someone to ask... Please do not flame me even if you don't like the group... Any info or help is appreciated.......Thanks :)

Ummmm.... I got this picture from facebook. The fellow who posted in facebook claim it was a weekend. Is real concert. not rehearsal. If that is a weekend, it would be the opening weekend or rather... a Sunday.

Hi all, Attended my 1st ever pop band concert at indoor stadium last night at this age . What an experience! The concert ticket stated from 8pm to 10pm. Guess what? I reached there on the dot and the crowd just merely came in and it was almost 9pm then the concert actually commenced. This reminded me machiam like Chinese wedding dinner, stated 8pm but start only at 9pm. Even at 9pm, it wasn't the pop band performing but some invited band to take up the prelude. And as expected the concert only ended around 11:30pm. Am I mountain gu? or is it all pop musical concerts are organized in this manner one . Regards,