Burrowed deep in the bowels of Kallang’s industrial park would be one of the last few places one would except a full-blown, Boiler Room-esque party to be. But away with the preconceived notions – last Saturday’s Moonbeats Warehouse Party proved to an otherworldly experience which fit the bill with the grungy, unconventional, underground parties which the organisers at Moonbeats Asia are known to throw.
The Warehouse Party concept is beginning to take foot here in Singapore. Offering a much wider venue in comparison to regular gigging venues or display spaces, these off-beat locations contribute to the experience of an unregulated, edgy, word-of-mouth show. We’ve seen examples such as last year’s music and arts curation The Henderson Project come into fruition, as well as the widely-attended abandoned former SIA clubhouse-turned-party house in 2013’s Super 0.
Held at broadcasting and media production venue Studio Point, the unassuming Performance Building played host for the Moonbeats Warehouse Party. Concert-goers began trickling in as early as 9pm, and were greeted by the sight of an ordinary industrial building – complete with empty trucks, loading ramps and high-ceiling carparks – which later served as the perfect go-to hangout spot in-between DJ sets.
Singaporean newcomer producer Team Cake and DJ collective Attagirl affiliate DuriO opened up the dancefloor for concert goers, who were barely warming up. We were visibly impressed by London-based Singaporean producer et aliae, who floored us with her well-chosen mix of kawaii-core, bubblegum bass remixes and tunes. The three producers held the local flag up high for what seems like an ushering of a new wave of unheralded left-leaning, alternative local producers like fzpz, Blankverse, and THIEVVES.
On the international side, Slow Magic was a ethereal juggernaut. Appearing on stage with his signature florescent mask and drumsticks, the producer-percussionist threw down an onslaught of floor-tom drumming precision, all whilst channeling into remixes such as Drake’s Hotline Bling and Odesza’s Say My Name.
Indie electronic music darling Ryan Hemsworth came on moments later, and teased us with tunes off his latest LP, Taking Flight. Hemsworth’s Wave Racer remix of Ryan Must Be Destroyed perhaps drew the most cheers, with the trap-infused, bubblegum bass tune sending audience members into a frenetic tipsy.
Capping off the warehouse party was Mad Decent’s newest signing, Singaporean producer Myrne. We’ve recently interviewed the nascent beatsmith, who dropped his latest EP, Fundamentals the day before. However, the intrepid 21-year-old chose to forgo playing singles from his records, and instead opted to put together seamless setlist of trap, dubstep and hip-hop remixes. We highly applaud this decision, which acted as an afterparty of sorts – sort of a cooling down party, if you will. One might even say that homage was paid to his boss – label head honcho Diplo – when he stealthily segued into remixes of Jack Ü‘s Take Ü There and Mind.
In the aftermath of the party at 3.30am – drunken revellers could be seen stumbling out of studio point, and amid the cigarette smoke, and the good vibes, we couldn’t help but think that the Warehouse Party concept should be kept, preserved and ultimately, recycled. Given the situation where revellers are placed in a rustic environment and given a chance to mingle, it creates undeniably an atmosphere of edginess and intimacy.
Could we see more of these Warehouse Parties like the Moonbeats Warehouse Party in the near future? We say, unequivocally – yes please.
Interested in music and arts curation? Popspoken will be having our 2nd second arts instalment this Thursday, 21 April at CATO. Come join us! Click here to find out more about the event.
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