Singapore’s Party People Tell Us How 2025 Looks Like To Them

2024 is winding down, but it’s not over just yet. While we’ve likely danced through December, and New Year’s Eve promises to be a celebration of its own, stepping into the new year still holds its charm – despite everything else happening in our lives.

To get a glimpse of what's ahead, we’ve asked some of Singapore’s top party people to share their thoughts on what 2025 has in store. From the highs and challenges of 2024 to the parties on the horizon and the evolving crowds, it’s clear that things have been shifting – generally for the better.

In short, it’s been a sea change in the crowd dynamic. But how this shift will shape a successful 2025? Well, that’s still up for debate, depending on who you ask.

JAKE CAMACHO OF ICE CREAM SUNDAYS

The Ice Cream Sundays crew were busier than ever this year. But they also took a step back from putting together their flagship Sunda Festival in favour of doing it next year. And, boy, judging from what they’ve told us, they’re definitely making 2025 a banner year.

Were the crowds this year different from the last?

"There's certainly a younger generation of music fans that are increasingly present in the scene. It's great to see new faces on dance floors, keeping the culture sustainable for years to come. Whether the crowds are growing is a different matter, as there is also a corresponding group of folks who are dialling down their going-out habits."

What do you expect from them next year?

"We wouldn't be surprised if more promoters, DJs, and artists entered the mix to cater to the younger segment of music fans and their unique tastes."

What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"The emergence of new venues that cater to alternative dance music events and other forms of alternative music. There are so many new promoters now doing exciting things, and we'd love to see increased diversity of venues to add colour to all the new concepts."

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"On the long Easter weekend in April, we'll be returning to Sarimbun Scout Camp for Sunda Festival 2025, our two-day music and camping festival. We also have a series of exciting Ice Cream Sundays pop-ups in the 2025 pipeline; the next one is scheduled for February and will feature a live set by a very special guest act."

ZIG ZACH, BLACKOUT AGENCY

This year marked 10 years for the good folks at Blackout Agency, who threw a sizzling two-night engagement at Pasir Panjang Fire Station to celebrate. Next year looks to be a year where the Blackout effect aims to strike more far-flung corners of Singapore.

Were the crowds this year different from the last?

"Last year we were still seeing a lot more sold out events, and a lot more enthusiasm when the parties were announced. I think we can all see (and feel) the fatigue from the crowd set in due to the number of events happening each weekend – everyone wants to be a DJ and promoter, but not a dancer nowadays. We are seeing a slight drop in numbers across venues and events. Inflation, rising costs of living, over saturated market are a big factor and cause of this"

And what do you expect from them next year?

"The crowd will be a lot more selective on which events they go to. It will challenge promoters to be more creative instead of being just another party with speakers, decks and a DJ…"

⁠What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"I’d like to see more collaborations and promoters working together instead of clashing on dates constantly. There’s definitely been way too many clashes this year and in the end the promoters and the crowds don’t win."

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"One thing we’re excited about is to be working with (new venue) RASA on some residency nights. We’re also currently on the lookout for new spaces, in and out of Singapore, to host our events. Pre-Covid, we did a bunch of Island Takeovers and club nights in the region, so we’re looking forward to doing a few special ones this year."

DYLAN DESOUZA OF DOGSWAIN

Throwing it down at an annual Dogfest – Dogswain’s flagship event held at an indoor skatepark – has become a tradition for Singapore’s emo and indie kids in the know. Will this continue?

Were the crowds this year different from the last? And what do you expect from them next year?

"Yes. I think 2023 was the tail end of the post-Covid boom for shows. It was a lot easier to sell out a show in early-2023. People bought tickets a lot earlier – even less popular international acts sold pretty decently. 

I think, come 2024, “gig fatigue” will set in. There have been multiple shows every weekend, ticket prices were also up quite a bit, mostly due to rising venue costs. It’s harder to sell presale tickets now. But that being said, some bands/circles in the scene are still doing really well, especially with the younger generation. Crowds are growing but people are more selective of the shows they attend."

What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"I hope to see more love for good regional acts, less obsession with nostalgia and more sustainable small- to medium-sized venues."

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"For Dogswain, we have a few international emo/adjacent acts lined up for early 2025. We’re also gonna try doing small to medium local, and regional, shows. Dogfest was fun but we want to go back to our roots for a bit."

ZENON OF BUSSY TEMPLE

We’ve covered the tireless and inclusive work of Bussy Temple in the past. After a soaring 2024, they’re looking at a new year with fresh eyes – and a sharpened mission statement.

Were the crowds this year different from the last? And what do you expect from them next year?

"Yes, the crowds this year were definitely different. On one hand, I’ve noticed that people are becoming more open to exploring new styles and waves of music, which is exciting. There’s a willingness to experiment that feels fresh and true to the eclectic spirit of Southeast Asia. But at the same time, we’ve become spoiled for choice in Singapore, especially compared to the scarcity of events during the early post-COVID era. Back then, every rave or independently-run party felt special – a moment of necessity and connection.

Now, with so many events happening, it feels like the spirit of the rave has become diluted. Party formats are being repeated, and sometimes it feels like people forget the challenges that independent organizers face. Unlike club owners or larger promoters, we work under tight constraints, often relying on personal sacrifices and free labor to make these events possible. This lack of understanding can lead to a disconnect between organisers and attendees, making the sense of community that raves are rooted in feel weaker than before.

That said, I don’t mean to criticise anyone – it’s a natural byproduct of a booming scene. But I think what’s next is that we can collectively reflect, as both ravers and organisers, on how to make things more intentional and meaningful, even as we grow. If we don’t, we risk becoming just another mainstream, meaningless club night."

What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"I hope to see more diversity, creativity, and intentionality in how we format our parties and the creative directions we explore. The scene has grown so much, with one to two events happening every week, often run by independent party collectives. Before Covid there’s probably only one per month or every two to three months.

But with this growth, it sometimes feels like we’ve lost a sense of intimacy and meaning. I’d love for us to reflect on how we can bring that back—creating spaces that feel personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the communities we’re building for."

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"For me and Bussy Temple, 2025 will be about rediscovering the 'why' of organising. All of us at Bussy Temple have shared the same sentiment: as we’ve grown bigger, we’ve started to feel more distant from our community. The hard work we put in doesn’t feel as meaningful anymore, and even though we always try to do something different, it still feels like we’ve been repeating the same party formats.

During this break, we’ve been reflecting on how we can organise more intentional raves that are truly rooted in care and community. Personally, I’ve been pondering a lot on: 'What kind of community do I want to be in and see?', 'Who am I creating for', 'What is the space we’ve been fostering and shaping with Bussy Temple?'

Next year, we want to continue experimenting with formats that break the moild of what a 'rave' should look like. This means continuing to engage with different artists and practices across Southeast Asia, and most likely creating smaller, more intimate gatherings that focus on connection while still keeping the creative direction and fantasy world-building of Bussy Temple alive.

We’re also exploring quieter concepts – maybe moving away from our usual intense, hard music to something more reflective. And we’re thinking about incorporating more educational workshops to deepen the experience for our community. We’ll see."

THUGSHOP

This year, the team at Thugshop reopened the doors of Tuff Club with a brand-new facelift. If that’s not enough to show you they’re here to stay—after years of endless rave euphoria – expect them to level up in 2025. (Note: they prefer to speak as a collective.)

Were the crowds this year different from the last? And what do you expect from them next year?

"Definitely. Across the board, the age of patronage has gone down. We’ve definitely observed significantly younger, youthful demographics which we’re not keyed into yet. We also see a lot of crossover from the traditional EDM scenes, many coming with a curiosity on what Thugshop peddles. As for our existing circles and crowds, we’ve found that they’ve grown a bigger appetite for a wide spectrum of sounds, and not just being pigeonholed and one-dimensional. That also reflects how we do things, as well as our bookings and programming."

Do you still think the crowds are growing? And what do you expect from them next year?

"Without a doubt it has grown, as mentioned before with the younger, local crowd coming through our doors more. It’s a positive thing to see – but we expect and hope people and music lovers to pay attention more with their ears – and less with their eyes."

What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"While 2024 has been somewhat unpredictable, we’d like to see more open minded people, more diversity, as well as younger artists and musicians coming through. We’re always on the lookout for fresh sounds and new energies, and we’re always seeking for these regardless of background, genres/sub-genres.

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"This is already in the works – but we’ll be debuting recorded sessions from our venues, so that will be special, especially for the local DJs and our residents. We’ll also be rolling in some long anticipated upgrades to HQ throughout the year, and continuing putting smiles on faces."

ADRIAN WEE OF EATMEPOPTART

The inclusion of Eatmepoptart in this feature is bittersweet – after being at the forefront of indie rock parties for more than a decade, the DJ duo (Adrian Wee and Robin Chua) landed its last Poptart party this month. However, they’re far from done with the dance floor, and 2025 will see them active in different iterations. 

Were the crowds this year different from the last? And what do you expect from them next year?

"It's always different, and evolving every year. So yes. We've had a very nasty case of the inflations this year – most kids on a tight budget can't afford a night out anymore. They gravitate towards social activities that show more love to their wallets. BYO events and private gatherings have been quite a thing with those looking for a decent night out, so that's totally understandable. 

Next year? I expect everyone to get smarter and pickier with their weekends out. If inflation gets nastier and we're paying $30 for beers at a bar, I expect most kids to find other ways to get their party fix – or maybe stop going out altogether and start rewatching Game Of Thrones over pizza and cheap whiskey."

What do you hope to see in Singapore’s music scene next year?

"I'd like to see more organisers and venues get creative and original in building their communities. Although music has been a very driving factor in parties, it has been refreshing to see events include other activities at their parties. A good night out is not all about getting drunk and getting laid. I'd love to see more meaningful connections and maybe throw in a bit of social awareness – in a fun and authentic way, of course. 

What I like to see less of: ladies night, bottle service places, DJs wearing shades indoors, Taylor Swift nights (no hate on her but this has become a truly unimaginative trope)."

Will Poptart exist in some form next year?

"Yes. We are expecting Eatmepoptart to occasionally pop our heads out in weddings, pop-ups & special events, and at Bizarro Market in-store gatherings next year. The Eatmepoptart DJs will still be doing DJ stuff (we're available for bookings!)."

BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR

The opening of cocktail lounge and nightlife spot Behind the Green Door earlier this year marked a sort of comeback for Kilo Lounge, a beloved venue that closed just before COVID. After what’s been a busy 2024, what’s Year Two for this new venue going to look like? The team shares their thoughts.

⁠⁠Were crowds this year different from the last?

"We believe so. Growing, for sure. There’s many new spaces and promoters reinvigorating the community with different sounds and experiences. You kind of get a spillover effect, where more and more people are open to listen to new things."

What do you expect from them next year?

"People’s tastes have evolved. With more house and techno becoming 'mainstream', it allows the masses to switch on and delve deeper. We don’t really expect anything, maybe just to have an open mind.

What’s in the pipeline for 2025?

"We can’t reveal everything but something that’s coming in hot in January 2025 will be the first of the Mixmag Asia Circuits series, where we showcase the best of Asian talent. We’ve been pretty global with our sounds, but would love to shine a bigger spotlight on our Asian selectors in the year to come."