TEDxSingapore Block Party
Stories Worth Telling Through Music
It all came about after a refreshing conversation between Vivian Lim, Lead Curator for TEDxSingapore, and shazza, a renowned TEDxSingapore speaker and talented singer-songwriter. Reminiscing over the Xinyao of the 70s and 80s, a genre of Mandarin songs that reflected Singapore’s vibrant kampung spirit sparked a thought – how has the Singapore Sound evolved since then?
That started our journey in developing the TEDxSingapore Block Party – an ode to Singapore's vibrant culture, artistic talent, and the unifying power of music. It embodies TEDxSingapore’s vision of championing ideas worth sharing. We hope to tell contemporary stories of Singapore through the music of today’s youth, by providing an inclusive space for music lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and community members to gather, celebrate, and connect.
Thaarmin
The first edition of Block Party was an open-air concert in the Jurong district, showcasing unique renditions of the Singapore Sound and in celebration of National Day. Our incredibly young and talented lineup comprised Thaarmin, 19-year-old alternative R&B singer-songwriter, Heema Izzati, 17-year-old folk and pop musician, and Last Minute, a captivating and energetic rock band.
Last Minute
Open-air Concert: Bringing the Unique Singapore Sound to the Heartland
Heema Izzati
Thaarmin did a spin of Singai Naadu, a 2012 Tamil folk song which means “Singapore, my country”, refreshed with synth sounds that are an integral part of his own music. Other classics such as Di Tanjong Katong of the 80s were sung by Heema Izzati, providing a rejuvenating take on songs that are close to Singaporeans’ hearts. Last Minute gave an electrifying performance of a much newer favourite of Singaporeans – Take Heart by the Sam Willows (2015), bringing to light the evolution of the tastes and preferences of today’s generation.
Open Rehearsal: What does the Singapore Sound Mean to our Artists
To better showcase the inspiration and hopes for TEDxSingapore Block Party, we also held an open rehearsal at Swee Lee Clarke Quay, which featured intimate fireside chats with our lineup and lineup curator, shazza. This was an exclusive and intimate opportunity to hear more about shazza’s artistic vision, and the artists’ own thoughts on what the Singapore Sound means to them.
shazza
“In curating the lineup for the performances, we wanted to showcase the richness of local artistry and culture, presenting a variety of genres of music. Indeed, the Singapore Sound encapsulates what we are as a nation, a variety and mix that exists in perfect unison, complementing each other,” shares shazza.
Diversity, versatility and representation were key themes discussed in the fireside chat; Just as how the community of Singapore is made up of many races, ethnicities and religions, the Singapore Sound is likewise a ‘rojak’ of all things Singaporean. It is ever evolving, together with the different ideas and identities that evolve together with the growth of our nation.
Thaarmin shares profoundly on his experience and his hopes for the future as an Indian artist in the Singapore music industry. He hopes to be able to incorporate more elements of his heritage into his music, like Indian percussion sounds, to overcome and dismantle the Eurocentric lens that we usually view the music industry with. To him, the Singapore Sound is about having the platform to showcase his identity proudly.
The TEDxSingapore Block Party isn’t just about music—it’s about celebrating our community’s unique and evolving identity. By spotlighting the diverse voices of Singapore’s youth, we are honouring our cultural roots while forging new connections through shared experiences. This event embodies TEDxSingapore’s mission to elevate ideas and stories from the community, for the community.