Death Cab For Cutie and Stars back in Singapore

SINGAPORE — Thanks to a very packed music calendar, the avid young concert-goer in Singapore might take for granted, the easy availability of indie-alternative rock music in our own backyard, considering the sheer number of such gigs here nowadays.

Of course, this was not always the case. Arguably, this upward trend for indie-alternative rock music concerts in Singapore began with two significant shows at the Esplanade Concert Hall in 2008.

One featured Seattle-based Death Cab for Cutie (DCFC), while the other had Canadian outfit Stars. Both concerts sold out.

The success of these concerts demonstrated the commercial viability of live indie-alternative rock. One local promoter that has seized this opportunity is Symmetry Entertainment, which, in recent times, has organised shows by Bombay Bicycle Club, Slowdive, Foals and Passion Pit, among many others.

This year, Symmetry Entertainment has lined up shows here for Stars (Feb 14) and DCFC (March 7). We spoke separately to Amy Millan of Stars and Nick Harmer of DCFC about their respective memories of those first Singapore gigs.

“I remember there was a sign in the theatre telling everyone not to make noise,” said Millan, who was amazed that their first show had sold out. “I was so happy because the kids didn’t listen to that, and they made a big noise and sang along so beautifully. We also had a signing and everyone was screaming. It was the first time I felt like I was in The Beatles!”

Millan went on to account for the fan’s reaction: “Well, I think there is a political conservatism in Singapore that is palpable, so being able to bring an energy of abandon to the show is most crucial,” she said. “We have never had a reception in the entire world as we’ve had in Singapore.”

Harmer was also surprised by the great reception DCFC received when the band first performed here.

“That show was one of the first times, as a band, we felt how much our international following had grown,” he said. “It was so nice to be so far from home and feel such support.”

As with Millan, Harmer also said the support was beyond the band’s expectations. “I wasn’t sure at all how it would go, especially because I didn’t think anyone in Singapore even knew our music. I was expecting a small, quiet show. Instead, it was a crazy sold out show with loud, appreciative fans, I had no idea it was going to have that kind of energy at all.”

This welcoming atmosphere was not limited to the concert hall either.

“I remember just walking around the city and feeling so safe and welcomed, I had a feeling of being somewhere new, and yet it felt kind of familiar too,” said Harmer. “I’ll admit I did some pretty obvious tourist things, such as having a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel - which was fun.”

Now, some eight years later, DCFC and Stars are ready to face their fans again. Both bands have material that audiences here haven’t heard live before. Stars has No One Is Lost, which critics have praised; while DCFC has Kintsugi, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

“We’ll definitely be playing the old hits too — don’t worry,” said Harmer about their show.

Tim Kek of Symmetry Entertainment said that he is confident both DCFC and Stars will appeal to fans — old and new. “I like that (they are playing new and old songs) as that would attract both new and younger fans who only recently got into the band — as well as older fans who grew up and can sing along to their older material. Having that nice balance between past and present is always a consideration for me.”

But just how will the audience react? Well, there’s only one way to find out.

Stars will perform at the Victoria Theatre on Feb 14 at 8.30pm. Death Cab For Cutie will perform at the Coliseum in Sentosa on March 7 at 8pm. Tickets for both shows from Peatix (http://stars.peatix.com and http://dcfc.peatix.com).