By Irene Eva Thomas (26A01B), Tomi Peh (26S06P) and Looi Ee Xin (26S03M)

Images courtesy of Rewan Teh (25S02C, Raffles Image Art Collective) & Tomi Peh (26S06P)

What does it mean to “Rock Out”? 

To Rafflesians, Rock Out might just be another concert to go to, another concert they don’t want to miss out on. However, to Split Decisions, the outgoing band of Raffles Rock, this meant their last time on stage. Their last opportunity to rock their hearts out, to pour everything into their time under the spotlight and to truly live in the music they had spent the past year learning.

On the 5th of May, a snaking line full of bustling chatter formed outside the entrance of the Esplanade Annexe Studio, where Raffles Rock would soon be performing their annual concert, Rock Out.

Doors to the venue burst open. Within minutes, the venue was packed with rows upon rows of audience, the air tense with anticipation and excitement. The lights were dimmed, and the glow-in-the-dark bracelets on everyone’s wrist lit up the studio, while classic rock songs played quietly in the background. 

The theme for this year’s Rock Out, Quinnceñera, follows Harley Quinn’s journey in self-expression and finding out who she really is when she’s no longer just Joker’s sidekick. And in the process of finding deliverance, Harley goes through all sorts of emotions. 

Quinnceñera is a befitting theme, given the various emotional and practical challenges faced by the band, ranging from facing difficulty booking venues to fulfilling personal redemptions.

“From being happy in love, to anger, to sadness, and finally to the redemption of her identity.”

What better way to start the  Quinnceñera than with the iconic maniacal laughter of Harley Quinn echoing throughout the Esplanade Annexe Studio.  The lights soon dimmed, prefacing the dramatic entrance of Batch 26’s band, Outnumbered. The audience erupted into applause, the air still as they took to the stage. 

Although visibly fidgety at first, Outnumbered quickly found their footing as the first notes of the bass line to Grace Kelly rang out. After all, this was not their debut concert, and it showed. The confidence with which the vocalists belted out high notes, the ease with which the instrumentalists played out their parts, displayed how far Outnumbered had come from Rock In. 

The band breezed through their next few pieces, primarily mainstream songs that allowed the audience to connect with the band and warm up to the concert. Outnumbered’s first surprise song was Queen’s Somebody to Love, where the vocalists got their time in the spotlight. This song also gave Outnumbered’s drummer, bassist and pianist a chance at the mic as they sang accompanying vocals alongside the vocalists!

Their next song, Somewhere Only We Know, was a great segue into the more ‘Rock’ aspects of the concert as they managed to “rock-ify” the song with the addition of the tambourine and electric guitars. The keys and drums shone through in the song, reflecting the song’s melancholic undertones. 

Following that, Outnumbered played Chappell Roan’s hit song Good Luck, Babe!, an emotional number that pulled at the crowd’s hearts. Another highlight of Outnumbered’s time on stage was What Is Love? by Twice , where the vocalists memorised their lyrics in Korean, successfully pulling off What Is Love’s rap verse, all while dancing out parts of the song’s choreography, all while the audience members went wild, some even dancing themselves.

Outnumbered’s exit was accompanied by enraptured applause and cheers from the audience. The performance truly exemplified their growth in Rock since their debut performance. It is so heartening to see how far they have come in just over a month.  The studio was then engulfed in darkness as a short clip of Harleen Quinzel’s (or Harley Quinn as you may know her) tragic backstory was projected onto the screen. 

Emerging from the pitch black stage, flashing yellow lights were strewn all across the studio. Batch 25’s band, Split Decisions, commanded the crowd with the introduction to their first song (a surprise song at that), Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. A legendary rock song, extremely challenging for every single band member, and yet, Split Decisions made it their own. Although some technical difficulties were faced (one of the amplifiers for the electric guitar was faulty for the iconic guitar solo), the band persevered, highlighting their dedication to giving the audience the best performance they could. 

Over the course of the next two hours, Split Decisions performed fabulously. Powerful instrumental solos seemed to rain from stage, ranging from ridiculously well-executed guitar solos in songs like Killer Queen and Paranoid Android, to a beautiful keyboard solo in Butterflies and Hurricanes, giving each and every member of Split Decisions their time to shine and showcase their inner rockstar.

But that’s not all. Split Decisions also put their unique spin on songs from other genres, such as having the jazz-esque intro of Feeling Good by Michael Bublé transition into Beggin’ by Måneskin, or putting a rock twist on Bad Romance. 

Vocalists playing No Surprises

One of the most notable parts of their repertoire had to be when the vocalists of Split Decisions performed their rendition of No Surprises by Radiohead. The stage cleared out, leaving only the four vocalists. 

Originally an alternative rock song, the vocalists dished out a soulful, more vocal-focused version of the song, even including a violin alongside the guitar, bass, and keyboard. This rendition was soothing to the ears and soul, a nice respite from the heavy rock instrumentals. Split Decisions’ instructor, ‘Big Ian’, as they affectionately call him, had arranged for the performance, insisting that the vocalists try their hand at performing with instruments.

Winding down for the night, the audience raved on as multiple hit songs were played in a row, including Runaway Baby, Teenage Dirtbag, I Don’t Love You, Paradise and Shake It Off. Some songs also resonated deeply with the band members, such as Unravel, one of Jian Hung’s favourite songs on the setlist, with its hard-hitting Japanese verses and wailing guitars. The performance concluded with two encore songs, Die With a Smile and Don’t Look Back in Anger, a bittersweet ending to the night.

The band echoed this sentiment right before going on stage. Even as the lights dimmed and the music faded, it all still felt like a dream. A dream that the band wished would never end. 

While Rock Out might be 2 hours of performing their hearts out on stage, it has been a long journey for Split Decisions as both individuals and a band. For some, Raffles Rock has built their self-confidence, and for others, it has allowed them to realise their dreams. As a band, they are thankful for the close bonds forged with each other that have gotten them to where they are today. It was the hours spent in the practice room together, hours that they cannot imagine spending with anyone else. At the core of it all, Raffles Rock has been family to them. 

As with all good things, Split Decisions’ time in the spotlight has come to an end. After all their trials and tribulations, through their masterful and immensely entertaining performances, this is their final chapter. This is what it means to “Rock Out” – to go out with a bang.