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Hostess Club Weekender Singapore marks the last of the stops in a series of festivals organised by leading Pan-Asian promoter Hostess Club. With a slew of festival dates within a period of two weeks, the company has produced stunning lineups in each of the countries presented. Kickstarting their flagship gig in Toyko, the festival has made its way through Hong Kong, Taiwan, Manila, and finally, Singapore.
Hostess Club Weekender marks the return to prominence where most would consider the spiritual home of gigs to be, Fort Canning Park. For all its grandiosity, Gardens By the Bay seems to lack the charm and panache of Fort Canning Park. It was a good decision on the part of organisers for a debut, considering that most major festivals such as SingFest and the inaugural Laneway Festival have been launched from there.
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The festival kicked off in the early stages of the afternoon, and many revellers were seen hiding behind trees. Some were game enough to plant themselves in the heat of the action- the forefront, where noise-punk duo Buke & Gase were playing. The Brooklyn residents played an array of home-made instruments, and surprised many with their innovativeness and technicality. Later on, Asgeir fans were treated to his brand of folk music and lush vocals, sung in both English and his native Icelandic tongue.
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King Krule proved to be highly watchable, with the 19-year old wunderkind taking the stage towards the evening. The highly acclaimed London-born singer carried an indomitable air, and was clad in a classic oversized shirt and a pufferfish hat. Performing a range of songs off his latest record, 6 Feet Beneath The Moon, King Krule stunned completely. There is little wonder why the kid was nominated for the BBC’s "Sound of 2013" poll.
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Moments later, post-rock stalwarts Mogwai took the stage. It was a perfect opportunity to showcase music from their latest record, Rave Tapes. Lulling revellers with their opener “Heard About You Last Night,” Mogwai performed a full set of nearly 15 songs. The band was otherworldy in nature, with songs flummoxing from silent numbers to hard-hitting, ethereal paradigms. Members of the audience were left bobbing their heads in agreement of the visage that ensued.
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The loudest cheers of the night were reserved for headliners, The National. By now, the Fort Canning Park was filled to the brim, and most revellers were ready on their feet. Launching into titular ballad “Don’t Swallow The Cap”, The National blended in a steady mix of old and new songs. Frontman Matt Berninger arguably stole the show of the night, when he decided to run through the crowd during “Mr. November.” The band ended their set with an acoustic rendition of favourite “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”, leading concert-goers to the unanimous singing of the song’s highly emotive chorus. Hostess Club Weekender was a great experience, and marked the start of hopefully another staple in Singapore's vibrant festival community. Cheers to you, HCW.
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