Ever heard of a living funeral? Taking the cue from Professor Morrie Schwartz (Tuesdays with Morrie), we thought it apt that everyone says a few words about the Powerhouse stage, while the stage still stands.

Our Baybeats Budding Writers hustled to the job, catching up with rockers, shoegazers, drummers and players, unearthing and articulating those Powerhouse moments — the emotional; the euphoric; the elusive; the exhaustion; reminding us of the significance of this stage to the Singapore music scene.

“ Growing another two sets of balls
proposing to my wife on that stage ”

– Arif Rot, Wormrot

That was five years ago. This year, he's stoked to be reliving the once-in-a-lifetime performance experience he had in 2013, but with a new addition – his 3-year-old son will be joining them for a performance! 

Wormrot plays 17 Aug, Fri, 11pm, Powerhouse

“ When Embrace Them Ghosts, a Budding
Band, played in 2012. They were ferocious
but what made it more memorable was
when helicopters and planes from the NDP
preview next door flew over the stage and
audience. That was super heavy! ”

Eddino has played at the Powerhouse stage thrice, with Force Vomit in 2008 and 2013, and with The Guilt in 2011. For him, seeing the crowd go nuts in front of him is what makes the Powerhouse stage special and as a performer, he feeds off the energy of the crowd, which amplifies his enthusiasm to play. Eddino will be at Baybeats on all three days for Wormrot, Knightingale, Paris In The Making, Superman Is Dead and Caracal.

Wormrot, 17 Aug, Fri, 11pm, Powerhouse
Paris In The Making, 18 Aug, Sat, 8.10pm, Powerhouse
Knightingale, 19 Aug, Sun, 6.45pm, Chillout Stage
Superman Is Dead, 19 Aug, Sun, 9.30pm, Powerhouse
Caracal, 19 Aug, Sun, 10.50pm, Powerhouse

“ Back in 2010, we were in awe of the
Powerhouse Stage and wondered if we
would ever get the chance to play there. To
think that the opportunity has arrived now
when the Powerhouse stage has to go is
poetic indeed! ”

– Kyoto Protocol

The Baybeats alumni first played at the Arena, Esplanade Outdoor Theatre in 2010 and it was their first overseas festival. Fast forward eight years and the band now has four albums under its belt. Having launched their latest album The Pen Is Mightier, the rockers based in Malaysia can't think of a better space than the Powerhouse stage as a homecoming of sorts, to showcase their new sound, which they feel is the best stuff they've ever written.

Kyoto Protocol plays on 19 Aug, Sun, 8.10pm, Powerhouse

Listen: Batas Cahaya by Superman Is Dead

“ The moment when Adel [from Amateur
Takes Control] smashed his guitar on
stage. It was my first time seeing a guitar
smashed to pieces in close proximity. The
guitar took a few hits to the ground before
breaking. ”

– Ariff, Pleasantry

Pleasantry was formed in 2010 and all its five members are active in post-rock and indie pop projects. These music stalwarts currently working on their sophomore album.

Catch Pleasantry, 19 Aug, Sun, 11.30pm, Esplanade Annexe Studio

“ It’s the stage that houses all the louder
rock bands. Having a stage erected just for
the festival makes it a little more
monumental in the scheme of things. It's
the most festival-like and the best moshes
happen at the Powerhouse! ”

– Lennat Mak, Obedient Wives Club

Lennat is the drummer of Obedient Wives Club, a fuzz-pop quintet who debuted in 2011 and played at Baybeats 2017. She's looking forward to seeing Terminal Cry and Glassmouth on a stage like Powerhouse, and Caracal, just because. In her words, "their Baybeats set will slay!"

Terminal Cry, 17 Aug, Fri 8.30pm, Powerhouse
Glassmouth, 19 Aug, Sun 7.00pm, Powerhouse
Caracal, 19 Aug, Sun 10.50pm, Powerhouse

“ It's like a ‘big band’ venue with good
sound and an even better crowd. It almost
feels like Vans Warped Tour or even
Woodstock. Playing on the stage is
euphoric and you can see how the power
of music can bring different sub cultures
together. ”

– The Full Pledge Munkees