New Generation Party Crews Redefining Singapore's Underground Club Scene
Expect a playful head‐throwing, hands‐up‐in‐the‐air Gen Z energy at the events thrown by the latest independent collectives to join Singapore’s burgeoning underground party scene.
Roughly two years on since the Covid‐19 pandemic, folks from all walks of life are still taking it upon themselves to throw their own independent parties with more experimental sounds, and more intentional and inclusive experiences that inject a rousing underground energy to Singapore nightlife. We turn the spotlight on four of the newest organisers on the scene and tells you why you should hit their parties.
ADULTS DO HARD DANCE
Visual and art director Rachelle Hristenko (above), along with her partner, founded Adults Do Hard Dance. Her partner, however, prefers to remain anonymous.
STARTED: June 2023, with three solo parties to date, staged at Cherry Discotheque, Iki by Ikigai and the now‐defunct Club Hell
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WHO’S BEHIND IT: The 29‐year‐old visual and art director Rachelle Hristenko, and her partner who wishes to remain anonymous
Adults Do Hard Dance throws playful parties throbbing with hard‐hitting electronic bangers and alternative Gen Z style.
THE VIBES: Perhaps it’s got to do with Hristenko’s background (girl studied design and visual communications at the Glasgow School of Art, and has worked in the creative department of some of Singapore’s most successful and fashion‐forward clubs), but a party by Adults Do Hard Dance – or ADHD for short – is always hyper‐fun and fashionable. See its fluoro‐accented event flyers, which are typically decorated with avatar motifs that look right out of Y2K video games, for example. Or its Gen Z crowd that clearly loves to dress up. Meanwhile, the DJs booked have been unexpected and hands down solid: from the genre‐bending Danish‐Uruguayan artiste DJ g2g to some of the most exciting (and similarly stylish) next‐gen selectors from Singapore, including Godkorine, Xaetherx and New Masculine.
SUBPLOT SYSTEMS
Subplot Systems founders Amil Iryan (right) and Akesh Fahmi (left)
STARTED: Its first party took place in February 2023 at the now‐defunct Projector X: Picturehouse, where it staged another instalment two months later. Two other independently organised events followed, held at No Spoilers Bar at The Projector at Cineleisure and the High Street Centre club Phil’s Studio.
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WHO’S BEHIND IT: Amil Iryan, 25, a DJ (moniker: Turbo Boyfriend) and bartender at No Spoilers Bar at The Projector at Cineleisure, as well as freelance graphic designer Akesh Fahmi, 28
As avid attendees of hardcore gigs here, the founders of Sublot Systems are looking to bring the scene’s DIY culture and feel‐good, community‐minded vibes over to nightlife – that, and their insatiable passion and curiosity for a wide range of alternative music genres.
THE VIBES: This down‐to‐earth, music‐obsessed duo created Subplot Systems to offer fresh and lesser‐heard alternatives to mainstream house, techno, and hardcore sounds. At any one of its nights, expect anything from post‐punk, dark wave and Miami bass to funkier genres such as donk (a subgenre of UK hardcore characterised by heavy bass lines and a distinctive “donk” sound), funkot (a fast‐paced electronic dance music genre from Indonesia that blends elements of dangdut, house, and techno with rapid beats and infectious rhythms), baile (Brazilian dance music) and so much more. In short, prepare for one helluva eclectic and energetic sesh on the dance floor.
HYPERFOCUS
The Hyperfocus collective is comprised of (pictured above, from left) producer‐by‐day Dahliah, barber Dan Emran and freelance production technician Z.
STARTED: Last November, with its first party thrown at the now‐defunct multi‐label store Spades, with four additional instalments that followed at equally intimate, smaller‐scale venues such as Iki by Ikigai. Keep your eyes glued to its Instagram account @hyperfocus.inc for an announcement on its first anniversary party happening this month.
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WHO’S BEHIND IT: The 27‐year‐old Dan Emran, a barber by day and DJ by night (he goes by the moniker New Masculine); Dahliah, 26, producer and vocalist for the all‐female punk band Fuse; and the 29‐year‐old Z, who’s also a DJ (moniker: Tempolaree) and freelance production technician. The latter two declined to share their full names.
Says Dan: “There are times when we get an offer from a touring DJ who might fit another party collective better and we’d refer the act to that collective instead.We like to believe there’s an ecosystem among all of us in which we jointly help to bring amazing DJs into Singapore.”
THE VIBES: A Hyperfocus party never fails to surprise with its wildly diverse sounds and line‐up. Headlining DJs are invited to themed nights based on their own distinctive style and have ranged from Yetpet – one of the most in‐demand names in Singapore for her dark, bass‐heavy brand of electronic music – to Bclip, one of Colombia’s underground dance kingpins. Unpredictability – and what Emran calls “gelek” (or ass‐shaking) tunes – is what gets the crowd moving here.
5210PM
5210PM now comprises of Irish Gayle (far left), Oh Kelly (on phone screen), Javan Poh (middle), Aloysius Tan (second from right), and Atiq Iman (far right). All are in their early 20s and still in school.
STARTED: This fun‐loving outfit just marked its first anniversary two months ago at The Southern Depot, a lifestyle concept at Gillman Barracks. Unusual locations – not clubs – are the preferred venue of choice for its pop‐up events, as it wants to offer a “different kind” of party experience, says resident DJ Aloysius Tan.
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WHO'S BEHIND IT: Self‐described “bedroom DJs” and long‐time pals Javan Poh (aka DJ Juhvunnn) and Atiq Iman (aka DJ Dangdude) kick‐started this before roping in more like‐minded, music‐loving pals such as Tan (aka DJ Loyboy), Irish Gayle and Oh Kelly. All are in their early 20s and most are still in school.
The wholesome parties by 5210PM make a strong case for revelry without the late hours.
THE VIBES: In just a little more than a year, 5210PM has become one of the most prominent new‐gen names flying the flag for partying the wholesome way. The collective’s name says it all: Its feel‐good parties are typically held on Sundays, starting at 5pm and ending at a very considerate 10pm – just in time for revellers to catch public transport home. This sense of responsibility and camaraderie is as important as the music (mostly variations of house and electronic) and dancing. What it hopes for? In the words of Tan, “quite literally more passion, more energy and more footwork.”