Early this month, we experienced world of music at Esplanade’s annual Mosaic Music Festival, and for their 9th year they brought more variety of line ups from multiple genres and cultures. From international acts like Grammy Award winning jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding and soul crooner Joss Stone, to ska veterans Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and world music performer Salif Keita, from progressive indie band Grizzly Bear to the latest elctro princess Grimes, everything we can enjoy in 10 days of travel around the ‘big durian’.

The first act we saw was the progressive rock band, comprising Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen for vocal, drummer Christopher Bear and bass guitarist Christ Taylor. For alternative music listeners, this is one of the band you can’t be missed and since they are not playing in Indonesia we thought we have to come to see them. Playing most of their tunes from their fourth album Shields including “Yet Again” and “Sun in Your Eyes”, the band entertain us with super lightning effect and soothing vocals that you can hardly hear the difference from the record. After Grizzly Bear and on the same day but different stage, we also catch the quircky cute Grimes. Even though the crowd were more into the fashion kind of sense then the artis herself, but with her fun acts and hits, the two sold out live acts brought everyone to dance with her ‘Visions’ as the second day of the festival ended.

The thing we like from music festival like this is how we can see some supports for the local acts, and appreciation by combining it as one of the ‘most things to do’ when you’re visiting Singapore. They scattered the acts around Esplanade, and not only giving great performances from Singapore own musicians but also International known acts so everyone can feel the enthusiasm of the festivals for locals and tourist around the area. Not to mention some cool local acts such as The Mighty Mighty, Hariz & Lincoln, Bright Young Things, Tabitha Nauser and other young jazz musicians.

For the second weekend, we catch this Denver married couple Patrick Riley and Aliana Moore’s at Mosaic Club stage, playing indie pop tunes from their debut album Cape Dory and second release Young and Old, they also introduces us with their new songs “Teena Marie” and “Dimming Light” which are more of an up beat and spring feel kind of songs. Even though over all wasn’t quite a punched act as we expected, but it was a nice way to spend the weekend with your friends before going else where, and we thank the festival for that. Anyway, it was our first experience traveling around here, and surely as we are now expanding ourself here to Singapore music scene, we hope to see more of what Esplanade can offer next on their calender event.

Photo Courtesy of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay & svanapaper