Future Music Festival Asia: The show must go on?

SINGAPORE — While Livescape Singapore, the organiser of Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA), awaits the decision on an appeal to the authorities after its second application for an event permit was rejected, its supporters have been asked to keep the faith that the festival will go on.

Livescape said in a Facebook post yesterday: “Join us in making our voices heard. Music unites, and we believe that together, we can make a stand for our right to #KeepFMFAAlive.”

Livescape, which has sold about 15,000 of the 20,000 tickets available for the two-day festival, submitted applications for a public entertainment licence to the police in January and again last month.

However, the applications were rejected both times, with the police citing “serious concerns” over potential drug abuse at the event, which is supposed to be held on March 13 and 14 at Changi Exhibition Centre.

“No final decision has been made as yet and we urge you to stay calm and have faith. Regardless, the show must go on,” Livescape said.

Referring to the incidents in Malaysia last year where six Malaysians died of drug overdose and another 16 people were hospitalised for drug-related reasons, the organiser added: “Isolated incidents that happened outside of Singapore cannot and do not carry any implication that FMFA is in any way linked to drug use, nor is it any indication that there will be drug abuse at the event.”

Fans took to social media to express their disappointment. “Plz make it happen! Do not disappoint the fans! Let us enjoy the music in peace!” posted Irfan Ozil on Facebook, while Juan Paolo Esguerra posted the succinct “#letusparty”.

Ms Lauretta Alabons, who runs events company LAMC Productions, said she was shocked at the news that the application for FMFA was rejected. “But I’m sure things will work out for the best,” she added, saying that LAMC previously had no such issues with the authorities. “I don’t recall drugs being an issue ever .... I guess it’s the Government taking precautions.”

Respecting Singapore’s stringent drug laws does not seem to be a problem for artistes. Mr Steve Angello, formerly of DJ supergroup Swedish House Mafia, who played at ZoukOut last December, said Singapore’s drug laws are great. “I think restrictions are good because it’s good for this genre of music. It’s not good for the scene if we have people overdosing and dying,” he told TODAY in a previous interview.

To allay concerns of fans and ticket holders, Livescape said on Facebook it was working around the clock to address the issue, adding that an update will be provided in 48 hours.

“FMFA firmly stands behind our goal of creating a drug-free event for our festival-goers to enjoy,” said Livescape, which had earlier said that the music festival had the support of government agencies.

In reponse to TODAY’s queries, Ms Carrie Kwik, executive director of Arts, Entertainment and Integrated Resorts at the Singapore Tourism Board, said yesterday: “Future Music Festival Asia’s entry into Singapore is a commercial decision by its event organiser, Livescape. The organiser is responsible for liaising with the relevant authorities to obtain the necessary permits.”