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The 100+50 music festival: Bringing the good vibes to Bedok

SINGAPORE — Last year, they had 100 bands entertaining audiences in Kovan over three weekends. This year, organiser The Rock Star Collective (RSC) has upped the ante with a festival featuring not only 100 bands, but also 50 electronic acts and DJs.

Allura circa 2008, featuring Inch Chua on lead vocals: The band's reunion is one of the highlights for the 100+50 festival at Bedok Reservoir. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

Allura circa 2008, featuring Inch Chua on lead vocals: The band's reunion is one of the highlights for the 100+50 festival at Bedok Reservoir. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

SINGAPORE — Last year, they had 100 bands entertaining audiences in Kovan over three weekends. This year, organiser The Rock Star Collective (RSC) has upped the ante with a festival featuring not only 100 bands, but also 50 electronic acts and DJs.

Called 100+50, the three-week extravaganza will take place at Bedok Reservoir.

But for Razi Razak and the team, putting this together wasn’t quite a walk in the park, even though they had benefited from last year’s very steep learning curve. This year’s problem wasn’t not having enough bands to fill the roster. Rather, it was the opposite.

“We had about 200 to 300 bands on the list to choose from, and from experience, it was quite a handful,” said Razi, adding that they have invited bands and acts that have been actively performing, touring and releasing albums. “We want the festival to be the core and essence of the local music community, in a way to mirror the passion and positive growth of the scene. We believe in all aspects of local music, and this year, with the inclusion of DJs, (electronic music) would be an interesting and important scene to introduce to the public.”

Last week, organisers announced the first 100 acts in the line-up, including singer-songwriter Charlie Lim, rock band In Each Hand A Cutlass, funk outfit The Stoned Revivals, electro duo Cherie & Ferry, electronic group Riot !n Magenta, jazz-funk trio TAJ, and a reunited Allura, which was indie singer-songwriter Inch Chua’s band before they went their separate ways in 2010.

This year, about “70 to 80 per cent” of the line-up will be new to the event, and Razi said the change of venue would also add to the atmosphere. “We are (moving the festival) to Bedok Reservoir — quite the opposite from the bustling sounds of Kovan — for a more ‘natural’ location. Nothing beats having a festival by a reservoir.”

With both big-name local artistes as well as newcomers set to appear, Razi hopes this year’s turnout will be twice that of last year’s. “I always have a very high expectation!” he said. “To me, the most satisfying emotion is realising the dream of promoting local music through the community, and I’ve realised the best way to do that is to through a festival by the community, for the community.”

The RSC is organising the event in collaboration with People’s Association’s PLUS and Aljunied Cluster Arts, and the festival will have the theme Day Time Play & Night Time Fun. Razi added: “It is a collaborative project. We just want to ... provide a great musical environment for the audience.

“People should come and attend the festival to experience the arts in all forms and practices. It is a creative way to spend your weekend, and it’s all about the good vibes.”

100+50 will be held at Bedok Reservoir from July 31 to Aug 2, Aug 7 to 9 and Aug 14 to 16. Admission is free.

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