Sharmila Melissa Yogalingam ventures out after dark to explore Singapore’s live music scene.
ACOUSTIC
Fabbrica Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar Block 18, Unit B Dempsey Road. Live music: Thurs 8pm-11pm. Tel: 6479 7808, www.fabbrica.com.sg
Order from a tapas or a la carte menu as you listen to the soothing sounds of supremely talented jazz and acoustic rock boy-girl duos 53A and Jamil.
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub 56 Circular Road. Live music: Tues-Fri 8:30pm-1am. Tel: 6536 2029, www.molly-malone.com
Irish musician Gerry Cox takes the stage each week and performs Irish pop, rock and folk songs.
CLASSICAL
Singapore Symphony Orchestra Esplanade. Tel: 6338 1230, www.sso.org.sg
Expect to be transported to another world with the world-renowned talents of Singapore’s very own Orchestra, Children’s Choir and Symphony Chorus. Visit the website for details of upcoming concerts, recitals and guest artistes.
JAZZ
Harry’s Bar 28 Boat Quay. Live Music: From 9:30pm-late Mon-Thurs, 10pm-late Fri & Sat. Tel: 6538 3029, www.harrys.com.sg
ChromaZone – Harry’s resident band since the day this iconic bar opened in 1992, is arguably the longest-running house band in Singapore! Providing an entertaining mix of modern and traditional jazz, Motown sounds, blues and R&B, Harry’s also features visiting guest performers – such as current songstress Mandy Gaines and even Grammy Award winners. Live music is also a strong feature of other Harry’s bars throughout Singapore, visit the website for details.
Blu Jazz Café Kampung Glam, 11 Bali Lane. Live music: 9:30pm-12:30pm. Tel: 6292 3800.
On Mondays, the Omni Form band performs and on Wednesdays, Grove Works takes to the stage – both playing instrumental jazz. Thursday is African Drum night with Lilas Drums bringing Afro-Caribbean beats to our shores. Fridays, Monster Quartet performs and on Saturdays, Aya Sekine and Guests of Japan provide amalgamation of funk, soul, blues and jazz – a psychedelic mix of jazzy ensembles to end the week!
Bar Opiume 1 Empress Place, Asian Civilizations Museum. Live music: 9:30pm-12:30am weekdays, 9:30pm-1am weekends. Tel: 6339 2876, www.indochine.com.sg
Two kinds of jazz bands showcase this genre’s entire era. The Rosanna Band performs traditional jazz music, while Ke Wei and Co band performs contemporary pieces to suit those with an ear for the modern.
Jazz@Southbridge 82B Boat Quay. Live Music: Tel: 6327 4671, www.southbridgejazz.com.sg
Live jazz six nights a week with house band members rotating each week to ensure vibrancy, plus visiting artistes such as New York pianist Dave Thompson on November 6, 7 and 8 and the Michelle Nicole Quartet from Australia on December 3 and 4.
ROCK
Muddy Murphy's 442 Orchard Road, #B1 -04 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade. Live music: Fri & Sat 9:30pm-late. Sun 4:30pm. Tel: 6735 0400, www.muddymurphys.com
Two resident bands, Blue Gede and Nana and the Vibes, highlight all the best music of the 70s, 80s and 90s – a must for those who love retro music in fun surroundings.
Insomnia Chijmes, 30 Victoria Street. Live music: Daily 9:45pm-late. Tel: 6338 6883.
For a huge night out with friends, Insomnia is a must! Music Reborn from the Philippines entertains with alternative and classic rock, retro tunes from the 70s and 80s, plus a good mix of Top 40 tracks and R&B.
Hard Rock Café 50 Cuscaden Road, #02-01 HPL House. Live music: Mon 7:30pm-11pm (acoustic), 11:30pm-3am (Kumar & Band). Tues, Wed, Thurs & Fri 9:30pm-1am, Sat 10:30pm-3am, Sun 9:30pm-1am. Tel: 6235 5232, www.hardrock.com
On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, be prepared for an onslaught of the latest Top 40 songs from Ngak and Clement, Enigma, Boys with Toys and Acoustic Trip, plus special live acts such as Kumar and his band – currently appearing. Thursdays and Fridays, patrons are treated to a rip-roaring blaze of energy with heavy metal and rock-and-roll from Energy. Enigma covers songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s on Saturday nights. And on the first Sunday of every month, Bushmen performs reggae music and other Caribbean-influenced music, while other Sundays see Reds perform a mixture of oldies, Top 40 numbers and heavy metal.
Le Baroque 30 Victoria Street, B1-07 Fountain Court, Chijmes. Live music: Daily 10:45pm-3:45am. Tel: 6339 6696.
If a hybrid mix of music is what you love, this is the place to be! Two local bands, True Colours, and Shaggies, play an assortment of pop, Top 40, rock, R&B and hip hop – plus requests.
Popular Singapore band Jive Talking play at The Pump Room’s Clarke Quay outlet and are renowned for getting even the most reticent of dancers up and moving. Bop along to rock, Top 40, R&B, hip hop, pop and a few 80s classics thrown in for good measure. The rotating live acts on at the new Great World City outlet focus on Top 40 tunes and contemporary hits.
Bar None 320 Orchard Road, #B1 Marriott Singapore. Live music: Mon-Fri 7pm-11pm, Sat & Sun 10pm-3:30am. Tel: 6831 4656.
Mid-week bop to the sounds of 5 Series playing a mix of rock and contemporary hits. On weekends things get groovy with Groove City on Saturdays and acoustic with Cats In The Cradle on Sundays.
Howl at the Moon 180 Orchard road, 2nd Floor Peranakan Place. Live music: Tues-Sat 8pm-2am. Tel: 6838 0281, www.howlatthemoon.com.sg
Opened in September, this newest member of the live music scene features artistes on “duelling pianos” all the way from the USA, playing non-stop requests – without breaks. No matter how obscure or cheesy the tune, they’re sure to know how to play it, from classic rock to heavy metal and R&B to pop all genres are covered and fans appeased.
Do you have a Singapore Secret you’d like to share? Send details (700 words) plus images to mjones-white@acpmagazines.com.sg and you could be published in an upcoming issue of The Finder!
Posted on Nov 08
