5 Fresh Acts from the IGNITE! Lineup That You Must Check Out

by Rachel Ng

This year’s IGNITE! Music Festival line-up is full of fresh new faces. Some, however, are no stranger to IGNITE!, such as veteran ska-punkers The Full Pledge Munkees who performed for IGNITE! in 2010, and hip-hop rapper ShiGGa Shay, who performed last year.

In the spirit of introducing new up and coming local music, IGNITE! 2015’s line up boasts a total of eleven out of seventeen acts that are new to the IGNITE! stage. Here are just some of the new faces from the line up for you to check out, so you aren’t too lost when the actual day comes! 

1. Cadence

This alternative rock quintet is slowly but surely making a name for themselves in our local music industry. They’ve recently performed at Baybeats 2015, and was also part of their Budding Bands Programme, and have just also released their debut single, ‘Come Home’. Cadence’s melodies are hopeful, and with their deep vocals and dynamic instrumentals, they’re definitely one of the acts to check out at IGNITE! this year.

2. The Good Life Project 

This is one unique band - with their diverse selection of instruments, the seven-piece alternative soul and funk band is one act not to be missed at IGNITE! this year. The Good Life Project has vocals, guitars, bass, drums and keyboards, but they’ve also got the violin, synths, and the turntables. Their unconventional approach to music is admirable, and the groovy and soulful group’s smiles and energy while performing is worthy of a watch at IGNITE! this year, for sure.

3. THELIONCITYBOY

Local hip-hop rapper THELIONCITYBOY, also known as Kevin Lester, has been making waves over the past few months in our homegrown music scene. The producer, rapper, and music activist has partnered with BMBX, Apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas’ music management label, and has performed at Music Matters Live, SG50 themed Sing, Love concert alongside well-loved local musicians like Sezairi and ShiGGa Shay. If you enjoyed ShiGGaShay’s performance at IGNITE! last year, you’ll definitely dig THELIONCITYBOY’s set this year.

4. Dru Chen

Effervescent and old school soul Dru Chen was born in Australia, but raised in Singapore and has been winning the hearts of many with his soulful pop funk music. This singer-songwriter has had his music played on radio stations in the United States, Australia, and Singapore, and especially never disappoints at a live performance - you just can’t stop yourself from dancing to his music or tapping your feet.

5. In Each Hand a Cutlass

“My mind just travelled all nine worlds listening to this,” reads a comment on one of their songs on YouTube. So will you, when you hear them live at IGNITE! Music Festival this year. In Each Hand A Cutlass is another instrumental rock act on this year’s IGNITE! lineup, and they’ve been established since 2005. Their epic album, ‘The Kraken’, was released earlier this year to massive acclaim. When a group of well-known musicians come together to make music, assuredly - the product would be extraordinary.

Of course, these are just five out of the many awesome acts we have on our lineup for this year’s IGNITE! Music Festival. If you want to catch them all, come down to IGNITE! on 21 and 22 August at Republic Polytechnic to discover more great bands, all born and bred in our Lion City. See you there!