Singapore ravers take back the night

Singapore's ravers - 10th April 2023

Many young people around the world enjoy going to raves. These electronic dance parties are a way to relax and de-stress. For Singapore's young adults, they also provide a break from strict social rules.

For two years during the pandemic, nightclubs were closed. Singapore also banned festivals and live music events. But now, the city's nightlife has returned with full force.

Locations for the raves include city theme parks. Both rich and poor, and local and international residents dance together. The parties have cheap entry, good drinks, and fun, loud music.

Singapore's usually thought of as a "rich country with lots of rules," says music journalist Kevin Ho. But he says that raves show a different image of Singapore. He calls it "a crossroads of Asia".

But planning raves in Singapore is very difficult. The locations are usually very expensive and city zoning rules are very strict. So organisers often hold the events in private homes. They also use apartment block basements and even cinemas.

Rave organiser and DJ Dean Chew knows a lot about these problems. But the results are "beautiful and powerful". He says it's "like a flower" coming up through the concrete.