KOKO Asia News
Mosaic Returns!!!
By Robin Banks
Date: 20 February 2009
It’s back! Singapore’s Mosaic Music Festival - currently one of the biggest music festivals in the region - returns with another action-packed and fun-filled 10-day celebration of great music that stretches across the worlds of jazz, rock, folk, electronica and more. Music makers from Australia to Chile, as well as acts from the region will flood the Lion City with their music and spirit from Mar 13 - 22 next month.
Presented by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, the fifth edition of Mosaic Music Festival 2009 offers festival goers a wide and eclectic range of top-notch live music from generous helpings of jazz and world music to funk, electronica, folk, R&B and hip-hop and good ol’ indie rock. Put it this way: if you’re a music lover, you’ll definitely be able to find something to like in the festival bill.
In among performances by the likes jazz funk heavyweight George Duke, American folk-rock duo Indigo Girls and Brian McKnight, the everygreen soul and R&B crooner with the smooth and silky vocals, there are also plenty for those individuals who prefer their music to come with much more in the way of edge and invention to all get excited about.
For indie, alternative music aficionados, there’s always the live debut SE Asian performance of critically-acclaimed New York based experimental electro-rock quartet Battles to look forward to. Loud, proggy and indulgent to the max on stage, these guys definitely have the pedigree (the band are comprised of former members of Helmet and celebrated match rockers Don Cabellero among others) and the musical chops to liven up any festival line-up.
Party animals checking out Mosaic this year can get down and groove along with the quirky dance collective Of Montreal. Bringing their distinctive brand of high-energy electro-pop, synthesised grooves, wacky lyrics, flamboyant costumes and madcap onstage theatrics to Singapore for the first time, their show will be definitely one that many will be looking to forward to at the festival.
Other festival highlights for the discerning indie/alternative rock lover includes performances from two excellent and musically distinctive acts from the UK - jazz- electronica outfit The Cinematic Orchestra and the quirky indie duo Psapp.
Indie lovers visiting the festival should also check out the free Nokia Music Station stage where’s there’s always plenty of regional rock action to check out. Among the regional bands performing there are Malaysia’s premier power poppers Couple; Singaporean indie kings Typewriter and Indonesia’s twee pop and bossa nova specialists Mocca.
What’s the Mosaic experience like? Well, there are various plush and acoustically excellent theaters and concert halls to check out the name bands in; as well as numerous cool free outdoor stages to explore. If the music doesn’t get you, there’s always the bustling bars and interesting restaurants to check out and party the night away in.
With all the festival happenings located conveniently on the picturesque Esplanade Theatres on the Bay site overlooking the beautiful Marina Bay, this one regional festival that you definitely won’t be getting too stressed out about being at. No need for waterproofs, camping gear or extra sunblock at this gig. Just free up your time and bring plenty of cash along because there are lots of things to see and do
Mosac Music Festival 2009 will be held in Singapore from Mar 13 to Mar 22. For the full festival line-up and ticketing details, please visit www.mosiacmusicfestival.com
