It’s safe to say that we miss attending pre-pandemic concerts. For some of us, we might not be too comfortable jostling with throngs of strangers in a crowded venue. But here’s one way to bring the same good vibes and groovy music experience to the comfort of your home: Downstairs Fest, a free livestream concert via TheSmartLocal’s YouTube and TikTok channels.
These cosy e-concerts will take place at 8PM on 5th, 8th and 12th March 2022. As the name suggests, they’ll be livestreamed “downstairs” right from heartland locations at Our Tampines Hub, Toa Payoh Central Amphitheatre and Block 112 Bishan Street 12. Here are some of the star singer-songwriters and concert highlights to look forward to:
Each livestream e-concert will be hosted by The Smart Local’s very own Chow Jia Hui, and Annette Lee.
Chow Jia Hui (left) and Annette Lee (right)
Image adapted from: @chowjiahui, Annette Lee
You may be familiar with the latter’s addictive and relatable Mandarin ditty, The Caifan Song – an unexpectedly emotional ballad about the struggles of choosing economic rice dishes.
Annette Lee will be serenading viewers with her saccharine vocals for each of the three livestream sessions. There will also be a fellow music artiste joining them each week as well, who will bring a fresh and different sound for each of the livestream e-concerts.
Image credit: @izthatizat
Kicking off Downstairs Fest is Izat Ibrahim, better known as IZAT. From singing covers in his bedroom to performing at bars and clubs all over Singapore, the RnB artiste is now knocking out soulful originals in both English and Malay. New listeners, make sure to give Tiada Gunanya – which translates to “no point” – a listen for major feels.
Image credit: @bennhum
The music guest for Livestream #2 will be Ben Hum, a singer-songwriter with well over 40,000 subscribers on his official Ben Hum YouTube channel. Having been uploading covers for more than a decade, he’s since branched out into original music, which fit perfectly alongside chart-topping Mandopop tunes.
Image credit: Daniel Sid
To wrap things up on the final livestream session, Daniel Sid will be gracing the virtual stage. Charting over 136,000 listeners a year on Spotify, his music is streamed in 76 different countries. The talented multi-instrumentalist also writes and produces his own tunes, so be prepared for an aural treat that’s as original as it gets.
Unlike performance videos or typical livestreams, Downstairs Fest gives viewers a more interactive experience by opening the floor up to more banter between singers and fans. Send in song requests, comments or questions and you might just have your fave artistes responding to them.
The hosts, Jia Hui and Annette, will also be getting up close and personal with Q&A sessions with each week’s performer. This is a rare opportunity for fans to know more about their beloved singers on a deeper level, and for new listeners to fan the flames of their newly discovered admiration.
An #SGTogether initiative, Downstairs Fest is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). The beauty of this livestream concert is that you’ll get to tune in from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re chilling at home, chilling with a friend outside, or even abroad for work, school, or a VTL trip – they give you the vibe of a lively concert happening right downstairs.
This series of #SGTogether e-concerts seek to inspire Singaporeans to connect with one another through music and our shared spaces, while strengthening our neighbourly ties in true blue kampung spirit fashion.
Fostering neighbourliness is important, especially during challenging times. You might recall when your own neighbours and friends showed you acts of kindness, and the way it made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In the same vein, let us continue to check in with one another, and care for our fellow Singaporeans.
Image credit: Must Share News
Make sure to keep an eye out for the surroundings in each livestream, and you might spot familiar landmarks that you may have hung out at or strolled past many a time. The e-concerts will be streamed from the following locations, from 8PM on these dates:
Do stay home to catch the livestream instead of coming down to these locations. What’s more, you can catch all the music performances, personal Q&A interviews and take part in the interactive song request sesh all for free in the comforts of your home.
Get together virtually with your fellow Singaporeans from all walks of life to support our homegrown talents through Downstairs Fest. We think that’ll be evenings well spent.
The sessions will be livestreamed simultaneously via both The Smart Local YouTube and The Smart Local TikTok platforms. Have your mobile device fully charged and on the ready or better yet, broadcast it on your TV for maximum concert vibes.
This post was brought to you by MCCY.
Cover image adapted from: Annette Lee, @izthatizat, @bennhum, Daniel Sid
5th, 8th & 12th March 2022
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