Back this October for one weekend only, the 22nd edition of Baybeats, Singapore’s largest alternative music festival, is not to be missed by music lovers as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents an exciting line-up of homegrown and international acts.

This year’s edition sees new partnerships, with Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards and Festival (GMA) and Ear Up Music Festival from Hong Kong, giving the team an opportunity to present outstanding acts such as dream pop and alternative rock band I Mean Us from Taiwan and live electronic musician and producer, hirsk, one of the four Hong Kong acts who will be performing at Baybeats 2023.

At Baybeats 2022, the festival saw overwhelming support and an enthusiastic crowd who turned up at Powerhouse at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade. With that in mind, the Esplanade continues to explore the versatility of the space and to optimise the audio experience for audiences, with more acts lined up, such as British math rock icons, Delta Sleep as well as Filipino indie rock band Urbandub now performing live.

Others on the bill include Singaporean emo band Forests who have been garnering international attention, rising Indonesian punk outfit, The Jansen, as well as Holy Serpent from Australia, bringing their brand of heavy psych doom metal. In addition to these, other homegrown legends are set to return to the stage, with indie band The Great Spy Experiment and grindcore act Wormrot featuring Spanish vocalist Gabriel Dubko and multidisciplinary artist weish.

Get dancey at the Arena (DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade), with front runners of the Singaporean ska scene, Cesspit, Chinese alternative indie trio, Orange Ocean, Thailand’s up-and-coming shoegaze / dream pop band, Death of Heather, as well as Sun Cell, solo project of Singaporean synthpop producer Daryl Hor. As always, Baybeats will also be featuring Baybeats Budding Bands from this year’s mentorship programme, with five bands in the lineup this time around.

Over at the Annexe (Esplanade Annexe Studio), fans will be treated to a myriad of intricate sounds by post hardcore / shoegaze trio from Japan, MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS and instrumental math rock by our very own Sphaeras. For hip hop enthusiasts, watch for Feez and Mary Sue and the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club. At the Chillout Stage (Esplanade Concourse), bands get unplugged, where you can appreciate chill sets from Malaysian psychedelic rock band, Capt’n Trips and The Kid, alongside Singaporean alternative rock outfit, Krunkle will present a different facet of their music at this space.

Complementing the vibrant music performances is the Baybeats festival village, which comes to the Esplanade Lawn, outside Singtel Waterfront Theatre, complete with a lepak area at the Esplanade Courtyard. Come here to relax and recharge, as well as purchase unique Baybeats merchandise.

Baybeats 2023 is set to be one for fans and friends from Singapore and beyond. Come down for Baybeats weekend if you’re into music, or just want to discover an exciting new band to follow on their musical journey, each set filled with raw energy you’ll no doubt vibe to.

Baybeats 2023 runs from 6th to 8th October 2023 at Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay. Full line-up and more information available here