Trippy, Wacky, and Arty: The Kinds Of Parties At Intervention
Whoever’s called Singapore’s nightlife options predictable has clearly not been out much. Following the pandemic, a rush of music-loving party organisers – new and existing alike – has been producing independently spirited, multidisciplinary events that are anything but the typical club experience. The schedule and locations aren’t fixed and often surprise. The music spans sub-genres you might not have even heard of, and art and fashion collaborations are a popular affair. So energetic is the scene that the dilemma for revellers is almost one of having too many choices on any given weekend and not knowing which to head to (or how to conquer them all). In this spotlight, we feature one such player: Intervention.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Started by a group composed of individuals from various artistic disciplines, Intervention brings a wacky edge to the local nightlife scene with its lighthearted blend of unexpected music genres (from reggae to gamelan, for instance) and performances contributed by the organisers and their friends. Visual artist Brian Gothong Tan created the trippy visuals at their first edition, for instance, while others such as Intervention co-founder and multidisciplinary performer Irfan Kasban have been known to cavort with the crowd in extravagant, otherworldly costumes. Little wonder their nights throng with artists and creative types.
Intervention has thrown three gigs since it started in November 2022.
STARTED: November 2022
WHO’S BEHIND IT: Filmmaker Daniel Hui, artist Irfan Kasban, playwright Joel Tan, events planner Mathias Posch and percussionist Cheryl Ong, who’s also one-third of the iconic experimental band The Observatory
THE LOCATION: Three editions took place at The Projector’s now-defunct outpost at The Cathay while its fourth instalment was held this month on Dec 9 at the cinema operator's new digs at Cineleisure.
Irreverence and artistic license go hand in hand at Intervention.
THE VIBE: Experimental and helluvafun, which is little surprise considering how all five founders hail from different art disciplines (the bio on the group’s Instagram account @intervention.party sums the event up as “irreverenzz QUEER PARTY”). You can never predict what goes down at an Intervention party – there was a night in which there was a “procession” of cosmic creatures with Kasban dressed up like a jellyfish, for instance – but things never get too serious. Cue the group’s mascot: a zentai-suited personality known as VV who speaks in hilarious riddles. (On the topic of party recommendations, for example, VV – who speaks on behalf of the Intervention team – replies on email: “Vv happy for all other potluck, vv like to bring vv kueh salat to other potlucks, unless they vegan (then) maybe kennut”.)
Ahead, our conversation with VV.
What sounds do you specialise in, and what do you want your party to be known for?
"Hi female magazint, first is ask back to you is it you specialise in what vvave feminist? For to ansvver your qn, Vv lovve all the sounds: screamt sounds, bird soundt, machine sounds, hit the buffalo skin soundt, sometime all make together! vV want to make people happy and notti want to touch each other soundt. vV vvant evvryont to have a long time good time, and vv vvant to be noe for vv’s kueh salat recipe."
Theatrical moments and performances are to be expected when you come to an Intervention party.
What made you decide to start your own party series? When was it started?
"Vv one day boredt when making violet oon kueh salat recipe and vv tot: maybe potluck better! then everybodyt bring their oVVn special flavour then vv can use lesser eggs!"
Who’s behind your parties?
"Vv did not noe sumbody hiding behind the store room??? VV scaredt!!"
READ MORE: Marisse Caine Captures The Soul Of Singapore’s Underground Music Scene
Where are your parties typically held at, and how did you choose these locations?
"Last potluck vV only have two handt to holdt the map, so vV let vV’s friend cha cha choose, cha cha lead vv to jungle, then suddenly cha cha say “look over there!” and vV look up in the sky the Marlboro uncle say “CANNOT!” haha so now Vv don’t like cha cha Vv consult tea leaf to find"
A typical night at Intervention will have you mingling with artists, creative types, and members of the queer community.
Compared to pre-pandemic, what are some differences you’ve noticed in how people party now? What do people want from parties in 2023?
"vV not rly paying attention because vv scared Vv’s kaya burn maybe vv put too much sugar!!!"
There’ve been a noticeable uptick in independent parties here lately – what’s your opinion on this, given that you’re an organiser yourself?
"vV dunno how to use Microsoft excel :( but vV think potluck is the future!"
READ MORE: Top 10 Parties And Raves Happening In Singapore In December 2023
There appears to be a lot more parties – but are you as an organiser seeing equal enthusiasm from audiences? Are people coming back to party? Are they the same faces?
"Vv tell you secret… vV actually cannot see"
Despite the enthusiasm lately for independent/underground parties now, what challenges do you face as a party organiser in this post-pandemic landscape?
"vV think price of eggs have gont up! vV think the chicken no space to lay egg haha!"
Keep a look out for the wacky zentai-suited characters at Intervention parties.
How would you describe Singapore’s underground party/nightlife scene now? What’s exciting you?
"vV think dark, sticky, salty, but maybe vV also thinking about ketchup manist, cuz vV like salt but Marlboro uncle say Singapore must cut down on sodium!!!"
What would you say is unique to the independent/underground Singapore party scene that makes it different from other cities’?
"vV only ever been to Pulau ubin but Vv don’t really like to tell that story"
READ MORE: Alina Ling Is The Artist Lighting Up Some Of The Best Underground Parties In Singapore
If you were going to another party in Singapore, what would it be and why this party?
"Vv happy for all other potluck vv like to bring vv kueh salat to other potluck unless they vegan maybe kennut"
Where do you see these parties going in the future? How do you see them growing
"vV think they went supermarket to buy green bean can Vv call you when they come back? vV see them grow taugeh in cotton wool very cute!!!"
A performance art piece by artist and Intervention co-founder Irfan Kasban that took place at their third edition held in May this year.
Aiding in creating the shamanic atmosphere were these talismanic artworks decorating the space.
What's an Intervention party without its signature zentai-suited personalities?
Artist Zarina Muhammad letting loose.
Intervention's third edition in May 2023 was extra fruity.
Fruit crates to go with the fruit theme – but rendered extra arty.
Intervention members behind the deck: Cheryl Ong, percussionist and one-third of iconic band The Observatory (left), and playwright Joel Tan (right).
It's always a fun-filled affair at Intervention, which makes it a point to never take itself too seriously, though it's one with a big heart. Its most recent edition held on December 9 notably hosted a small fundraiser, selling off artworks to raise funds for emergency aid initiatives for Gaza.
A version of this article first appeared in the Dec 2023 This Great City Edition of FEMALE