Singapore sizzles this September — With Marina Bay hosting the Grand Prix!

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This all-star entertainment line-up, scheduled for the FORMULA 1 2018 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, will boast some of the best musical acts any music fan could ask for come mid-September.

Three days of exciting Formula 1 on-track action begins with the practice sessions on Friday, 14 September. The battle for pole position takes place on Saturday, 15 September while the Singapore Grand Prix race roars into action on Sunday, 16 September. Off the track, seven different entertainment stages will be set up in the Marina Bay Circuit Park, filled with some of the best music concerts from around the world, right alongside the adrenaline- pumping Grand Prix.

With 25 Grammy-award winning acts having performed at the Circuit Park since the Grand Prix’s first edition in 2008, this trackside music festival attracts over 200,000 visitors every year, featuring all genres of music —from rock, pop, gospel, jazz, dance music, African to Indonesian folk-pop.

Legendary acts on stage

Two international legends in music will light up the Padang Stage with their star power on Saturday, 15 September. The Killers are set to perform after the last track activity, while former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher will keep the adrenalin pumping just before the Formula 1 Qualifying session.

Brandon Flowers, frontman of The Killers, was much inspired by the legendary group Oasis and formed his own band after attending an Oasis concert in 2002. The Las Vegas-based rock band has already headlined most of the world’s top music festivals and received countless accolades. The Killers’ newest studio album, Wonderful Wonderful is the band’s fifth consecutive Number One hit in the UK.

Flowers’ hero Gallagher continues to give energetic solo performances after Oasis split up. His 2017 album As You Were was a sensational success, debuting at number one on the UK pop charts.

Chinese pop lovers will be thrilled to see Jay Chou on Padang stage on Friday, 14 September. This year marks the 18th of Chou’s illustrious music career and the hunky Taiwanese singer-songwriter and actor has never stopped looking for new elements to refine his “Chou style”, a term used to describe his trademark cross-cultural music influence, which includes pop, rap, blues and world music.

Foot-stomping rhythm from Europe

Those who prefer to immerse themselves into the rhythmic beats of electronic dance music will enjoy the music talents of Martin Garrix. The 22-year-old Dutch DJ has headlined festivals around the globe after the release of his solo Animals in 2013. Garrix will spin his chart-topping hits at the Padang Stage on Sunday, 16 September, after the Formula 1 race. Before the final act of the Sunday Formula 1 race, Dua Lipa, the rising British star who has collaborated with Martin Garrix in Scared to Be Lonely, will also perform on the same stage. 

Among the other international artistes slated to perform over the race weekend are DJ Joe Hahn of Linkin Park (15 September at the Downtown Stage), the talented Japanese pop-rock band, End of the World (Sekai No Owari) (15 September at the Esplanade Outdoor), Botswana-based poet and singer-songwriter, Sampa The Great (14 September at the Downtown Stage and on 15 September at the Sunset Stage), and British soul and pop band Simply Red (16 September at the Village Stage).

Showcase of Singapore artistes

Of course, the pride of the local music scene will also feature in the entertainment line-up, including Sing! China’s Joanna Dong, Abby Simone X MMLD, Miss Lou, Picks, M1LDL1FE, as well as DJs Myrne, EATMEPOPTART, EMONIGHTSG and Matteblacc. To sample Singapore’s authentic musical flavour, one should not miss the local hip-hop representative star THELIONCITYBOY.

The 34-year-old rapper uses local lingo in his work and has put Singapore on the global hip-hop map. Following his successful 2016 album Paradise, THELIONCITYBOY will bring a bit of rap, hip-hop and a whole lot of local humour to the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre on 14 September.

With an eclectic bunch of A-listers, plus up-and-comers, and classic icons throughout the race weekend, a fun-filled time is guaranteed. Whether you're looking for freestyle, standards, covers, or new compositions—it's all going to be there.

To best enjoy this amazing show, several ticketing options are available: Fans can choose from single-day to three-day tickets, as well as their preferred location: Grandstand tickets will provide an unparalled view of the on-track race action, while walkabout tickets offer the flexibility to roam around  and enjoy the various experiences and carnival-like ambience of the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

For more information on the entertainment line-up and to book tickets, log on to www.singaporegp.sg.

Photos credit: Singapore GP