The annual F1 Singapore Grand Prix is back again – so prepare your eyes for some complex engineering feats zooming past either live or on television in the comfort of your couch!
If that’s not your idea of a good time, the F1 fringe concerts – offering a myriad of acts that you can enjoy – will surely provide you with an adrenaline rush.
Pharell Williams
If you’ve grooved to the upbeat tunes of hit single ‘Happy’ everytime it plays on the radio, you definitely will want to catch Pharell Williams when he performs here as a solo artist this Friday.
Among his long list of musical achievements, his feel good anthem ‘Happy’ has sold over 12 million records worldwide, remained in the UK’s top 75 for 61 consecutive weeks and even topped the 2014 Billboard charts as the top single.
However, bet you didn’t know that Williams is also a record producer (having produced other chart toppers like Daft Punk’s Get Lucky), philanthropist and fashion designer. Recently teaming up with activist Al Gore in the ‘Live Earth’ concert as creative director, Williams also supports causes involving children, women, health, education and at-risk youth. No wonder he was named ‘Most Influential People in the World’ by Time’s magazine in 2014.
The Sam Willows
Also coming to you on Friday at the Marina Bay circuit is homegrown band comprising siblings Narelle and Benjamin Kheng and their friends, Sandra Riley Tang and Johnathan Chua.
Since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2012, which was met with a distribution deal by Warner Music Singapore, this quartet has been steadily rising to fame. In 2013, they worked with five-time Grammy award winning producer Steve Lillywhite to rework their track ‘Glasshouse’. Just a year later, they were nominated for MTV Asia’s Best Southeast Asian Act. You may have even heard their songs ‘Flags Up’, ‘Ordinary’ and ‘Champion’ in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games compilation album Songs of the Games.
Today, this promising quartet boasts a total of more than 4 million views on their Youtube account. Keep a lookout for their next album slated to be released later this year, which they recorded with Swedish producer Harry Sommerdahl.
Daphne Khoo
Craving more local talent? Catch Australian-born Singapore artiste, Daphne Khoo. Khoo has definitely come a long way since coming in third in the 2004 Singapore Idol contest. The talented artiste released her debut album Desperate in 2007, which propelled her to win Best Breakout Solo Artist at Power 98’s Singapore Music Awards in 2008.
Always carrying with her a cheerful personality, the resilient singer didn’t let battling with a rare form of ovarian cancer in 2012 steer her away from her musical dreams. And big they are – her ‘Wonderland’ EP was released in 2014 and she performed 19 shows in Singapore as part of her Starbucks tour that same year. Her self-composed single “Greatest” was also selected for the Southeast Asian Games 2015 compilation album.
To date, her YouTube channel boasts over 650,000 views. Catch the inspirational singer performing live Friday.
Maroon 5
Coming on Saturday to promote their newest album V is six piece band, Maroon 5. Known for their catchy tunes, this American band is, without a doubt, world famous. The three time Grammy award winners have sold as many as 17 million records worldwide, with their fifth studio album having even debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. That’s not the only records they’ve set – they are also record holders for the Most #1 Hits by a group in the US Top 40’s 20-year history. If their catchy tunes aren’t enough to tantalize your senses, just think, “How can you miss swoon-worthy Adam Levine?”
Photo credits: 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix