Live in Pictures: Find the region’s indie Coachella in CITY65 Music Festival

From Ultra Festival to the indie-crafted Laneway Festival, Singapore boasts no shortage of music events. But make room for a new kid on the block as CITY65 Music Festival shows a sunny disposition focused on made-in-Singapore music.

The second edition of the festival, which took place last Saturday, March 31, boasted a stellar lineup of the Lion City’s finest and most dynamic indie acts. From the coveted The Steve Mcqueens and Randolf Arriola to rising bands like Retrofocus and The Betts, the festival curated a well-rounded array of acts, making room for multi-genre artists to showcase original music.

A step up in venue from Tin Hill Social last year to the grounds of Fort Canning Park, the independently run music festival also hosted a myriad of activities, most notable an eating contest, and an open call for bedroom singer-songwriters for a golden spot in the lineup.

Bedecked with coloured bean bags, food and merchandise stalls, CITY65 was organised with a commendable flow. From back-to-back music acts to sufficient tables provided for food consumption, it proved competent in devising a cordial experience topped with fitting music curation suited for a lazy afternoon in the sun.

The night brought about soft grungy tunes from folk troubadour JAWN before rock guitarist Addy Craddle brought us around the world in an electrifying near hour long set that got audience members dancing and headbanging. Even as festival-goers left the park grounds, the soul and pride of Singaporean music could still be felt in the air.

It is safe to say that English music standards and versatility in Asia stands at an all-time high. Missing was an eager audience and CITY65 Music Festival sure succeeded in ushering listening ears.