Baybeats Set Review (Day 2)

Reserate

Reserate, a metalcore band with a penchant for energetic electronic beats, took the stage and opened their performance with their single CYNIC featuring JJDROY. The band performed their hearts out whilst engaging the crowd – with a dynamite frontman in Linus and plenty of glowsticks in tow.

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Cliff Yeo

Joining them mid-performance was singer-songwriter Debbi Koh – they performed an EP released by them just this year, Playground. The band proved their versatility, offering a generous amount of fierce guitar riffs, moments of gentleness, and a euphoric climax that encouraged audience members to dance – surely a rare sight at a metalcore set.

The band’s spirit and camaraderie were most significant when they had the audiences join them in concert. Their crowd engagement made everyone feel like they were a part of the band too – if music offers people a home, they found their family in Reserate.

jupiterkid

Taking the open stage with calmer, acoustic tunes, just moments before dusk, was the solo musician jupiterkid. Listeners seated in front of the stage, as well as passerbys, had the opportunity to listen to an emerging voice.

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Rae

One of his songs, Make it Okay, expresses how change is part and parcel of life, and that when things change, it can feel scary. However, despite the chaos and the great unknown, there would always be someone else who’d see us through the turbulent journey and keep us grounded. That song was dedicated to this person, jupiterkid shared with the crowd.

Another song featured in his set is Lost and Found. This song showcases how we are all on a journey to find ourselves and we would think that we would only be happy when we get to that destination. This song expresses that while we’re on the journey to find ourselves, it’s okay to pause and embrace where we are in the moment.

The atmosphere of jupiterkid’s set was infectious in a different way – mellow and therapeutic. It was great for listeners looking for some rest and introspection amidst the heaviness of the bands at the festival. Drinking Boys and Girls Choir Making their way to the Powerhouse stage, all the way from Daegu, South Korea, were the alternative three-piece punk band Drinking Boys and Girls Choir. The band opened up their performance with a powerful drum solo – more effective than simply introducing themselves by name, I’m sure.

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Cliff Yeo

From the start to the end of their set, the band kept the crowds engaged by sharing the stories behind their songs – whenever they launched into a song, they encourage the crowds to rave along in any way they wanted to.

The band’s set definitely gave off a Friday night vibe throughout the night – the feeling of unpacking the week’s stresses and dancing it away – and the crowds were genuinely as active and loud as the band was. It’s what Baybeats is all about. For Tracy Hyde

Hailing from Japan, the indie rock band For Tracy Hyde performed a couple of songs from their upcoming album Hotel Insomnia, which will be released in December.

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Alvin Ho

In between songs, the band engaged the crowd with a couple of stories of their experiences in Singapore – this is their second time performing in the country. They even threw in some local lingo close to the hearts of Singaporeans whilst conversing with the crowd.

For Tracy Hyde’s setlist was a lively and friendly tone for the crowd to immerse themselves in. While their set was not as wild as the heavier bands on the line-up, the band’s songs were upbeat enough to keep the crowd cheering for the band – they displayed unwavering support all the way to their last song. Perhaps a future headlining show here could be on the cards for them?

Overall, For Tracy Hyde’s set was an upbeat and modern one, the kind where crowds could stay in their seats and enjoy the music as well as standing at the front, feeding off the lively energy of the skilful band. Rhaun

Taking over the open stage as one of the final sets of Baybeats’ second night was Rhaun, a solo singer who doubles as a vocal teacher during the day. Some of the songs featured in Rhaun’s set were Another Kind of Love, Loving You and Pieces – an indication of the singer-songwriter’s effortless melancholy.

Photo by Baybeats budding photographer Alvin Ho

Another Kind of Love is about finding new love and letting ourselves take time to trust them. On the other hand, ‘Loving You’ was about allowing ourselves to forgive ourselves from the things of the past. These songs resonated with the public, judging by their response – they cheered in between songs, but they were completely silent when he performed.

Pieces emphasises on how everyone is broken in some way or another. This was a song about how all our broken pieces, when pieced together, shape who we are today.

Overall, the atmosphere of Rhaun’s set that night was refreshing, emotional and perfect for a quiet night of tuning into our emotions. To dig deeper, especially at a diverse festival like Baybeats, it offered introspection and a chance to sit still and let music take over our senses.