Dear Baybeats Family,
For some of you, Baybeats, presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, has been a constant through the years—the place you discovered your first mosh pit, the stage where your friends played their first set, or where you found a community that spoke the same language of noise, riffs, and resistance.
This year, we’re stretching Singapore’s largest alternative music festival across four days, from 30 Oct – 2 Nov 2025. What’s more, for the first time in a while, welcoming back the LiveWire Stage at the Esplanade Forecourt Garden, making it a total of five stages instead of the usual four. I can already picture the crowd under the open sky, the music spilling out into the city, and that unmistakable Baybeats energy roaring back to life.
We’re also widening the circle. With artists from various countries and regions, Baybeats becomes a crossroads for different sounds and perspectives, showing us how alternative music connects beyond borders. Look forward to Argentina’s genre-defying Blanco Teta, Australia’s heavy hitting Battlesnake, Chinese indie-rock pioneers Carsick Cars, Japanese math-rock outfit mouse on the keys, and Taiwan’s explosive Flesh Juicer. Closer to home, we’re happy to present Singaporean acts including Weish, percussive powerhouses Wicked Aura, and post-hardcore veterans A Vacant Affair.
There are many more from where that came from and we’re certain there will be something for everyone. And because this scene is as much about ideas as it is about songs, we’re launching a series of panel talks with delegates from the region and Singapore. Expect conversations on touring, festivals, communities and the impact of music made in Asia. Think of it as a chance to gather not just in sound, but in thought.
Not forgetting our platform for emerging artists, we’re proud to have our newly acquainted Baybeats Budding entourage of bands, photographers, emcees and writers with us at the festival.
I’m also happy to share news of our partnership with The Rest Is Noise from Philippines and Big Mountain Festival from Thailand. For us, the festival has always been about the community and looking beyond Singapore to connect with our regional friends. This serves as a reminder that we are part of something bigger—the stories we share, the support for one another and keeping the independent music spirit alive together.
Baybeats remains free for all to enjoy, and the festival would not be what it is today without the generous support of our sponsors, donors and music community. We’re grateful to our Principal Sponsor, KEEN, as well as 4th Wall Studios and for standing alongside us in keeping alternative music thriving.
As Singapore turns 60, it feels right to celebrate the role alternative music has played in shaping our identity—sometimes quietly in the corners, sometimes loudly in the spotlight, but always present, always evolving. So whether you’re here for the pits, the panels, or just to catch up with familiar faces, know that Baybeats wouldn’t be what it is without you. Thanks for showing up, year after year, to keep this community alive. See you at the front.
About Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Esplanade is Singapore’s national performing arts centre. It hosts a year-round line-up of about 4,000 live performances and activities presented by Esplanade, its partners and hirers. As an arts centre for everyone, Esplanade also creates opportunities for seniors, youth, children and underserved communities to experience the arts. More than 70% of the shows that take place each year at the centre are free for all to enjoy.
Esplanade also brings the arts virtually to audiences in Singapore and beyond, through its diverse range of digital programmes on Esplanade Offstage, an all-access backstage pass to the performing arts and guide to Singapore and Asian arts and culture, with videos, podcasts, articles, quizzes and resources.
The centre works in close partnership with local, regional and international artists to develop artistic capabilities and content, push artistic boundaries and engage audiences. Esplanade supports the creation of artistic content by commissioning and producing new Singapore and Asian work for the international stage. It also develops technical
capabilities for the industry nationally.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd (TECL), which is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character. TECL received the Charity Governance Award – Special Commendation for Clarity of Strategy in 2016 and 2022, the Charity Transparency Award from 2016 – 2023, and the Charity Transparency Dedication Award in 2024. Esplanade is Singapore’s first Dementia-Friendly Arts Venue and a certified Dementia Go-To Point, as well as a guide/assistance dog friendly centre.
TECL receives funding support from Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and its Community Programmes are supported by Tote Board Family, comprising Tote Board, Singapore Pools and Singapore Turf Club.
Visit Esplanade.com for more information.
We are aliens who travel between galaxies to find the music we love across the universe.🛸💫