By Cherie Khoo (26S03B) and Christian Adriel Tan (26S07B)

Live music is an elusive, hard-to-describe sound. Perhaps it’s less of a sound, and more of a feeling. Many of us have probably heard live music in the Star Theatre, or the National Stadium, jumping along to heavy beats in the humid air. A smaller group of us, however, listen to live music in the Esplanade, or perform it ourselves, usually amidst well-dressed adults and wordless classical movements. 

Yet live music doesn’t exist entirely on opposite ends of the spectrum. And there is a spectrum, one that encompasses much more than just pop and classical music. Read on for an introduction to the many different kinds of live music Singapore’s music scene has to offer, and challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone to appreciate the beauty in something new.

Pop

Lady Gaga’s concert at the National Stadium was nothing short of a theatrical spectacle—a bold, high-concept production that blurred the line between pop show and performance art. From the moment she emerged bathed in crimson light, clad in a sculptural red gown that was part priestess, part armor, it was clear this was more than a concert. 

Each set was meticulously crafted, from surreal sci-fi backdrops to the sharp, angular ensemble she wore for “Abracadabra,” transforming the stage with every song. In “Born This Way,” Gaga’s message of LGBTQ+ empowerment rang loud and clear, turning the arena into a space of liberation and joyful defiance. It was maximalist, innovative, and deeply personal—pop as a tool for both spectacle and storytelling.

But Gaga’s performance also illuminated something broader about pop music itself: its unique ability to create immersive, emotional experiences in live settings. Pop thrives on reinvention and accessibility. It speaks in universal languages of rhythm, image, and feeling.

A great pop concert isn’t just a playback of chart-toppers; it’s a carefully curated atmosphere that invites the audience to feel, reflect, and be part of something larger than themselves. The genre’s openness to theatricality, visual excess, and emotional vulnerability makes it especially suited to the live stage, where it can become not just entertainment, but a kind of communal catharsis.

At its best, live pop music is a mirrorball held up to the crowd, refracting identity, joy, heartbreak, and hope into a shared experience. It welcomes spectacle without shame, and emotion without restraint. Whether it’s Lady Gaga or another boundary-pushing artist, the live pop format allows for both reinvention and resonance, crafting spaces where thousands can feel understood, energized, and alive. In an era where so many can feel disconnected, pop reminds us that music, when performed boldly and honestly, still has the power to unite.

Classical

Classical music may seem understated compared to the glittering world of pop, but its power lies in its depth, discipline, and emotional complexity. It’s a genre built on legacy—centuries of composers and performers refining a language that speaks not through lyrics or spectacle, but through pure sound and structure. And yet, when experienced live, classical music can be just as electrifying. 

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, often nicknamed the Resurrection Symphony, is a perfect example—a towering work of ambition and emotional scope that transforms the concert hall into a space of awe and transcendence. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s recent performance of the piece at the Esplanade showed just how immersive and moving classical music can be when presented at its grandest scale.

The evening unfolded with a quiet sense of occasion. As audience members took their seats, many browsed the concert booklets, elegant pamphlets that offered insight into Mahler’s life, the structure of the symphony, and notes from the conductor.

There’s a unique etiquette at classical concerts: a shared understanding to remain silent, to wait between movements, and to let the music speak uninterrupted. And as the orchestra began, the silence gave way to sound that seemed to reach beyond the walls of the hall.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is nothing short of monumental. Spanning over 80 minutes, it moves from brooding introspection to soaring transcendence, ultimately arriving at a choral finale that shakes both the ground and the soul. Under Graf’s meticulous direction, the SSO brought out its full emotional spectrum — the tension of the funeral march, the serenity of the gentle lieder, and the overwhelming force of the final “Aufersteh’n” chorus. It was music that didn’t just fill the air—it filled the audience with a sense of something greater. 

In this way, classical music as live performance remains a singular experience: one of discipline, grandeur, and profound emotional release. It may not ask for roaring applause or flashing lights, but it invites something rarer—stillness, reflection, and a deep, resonant silence when the final note fades.

Film

The lights dim, and orchestra members tread softly in, much like any other concert in the Esplanade. But in no time, a 40-foot screen is illuminated by a hidden projector, and the first notes of your favourite movie theme echo through the theatre as the opening credits roll. 

The Harry Potter in Concert series has run in the Esplanade Theatre for the last 6 years. This October, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will return, presented by the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, who will be performing Alexandre Desplat’s Grammy-nominated score. 

Live film music is a thriving niche in Singapore’s vibrant music scene, offering viewers a chance to appreciate a score’s thematic motifs while watching their favourite films, gaining breathtaking insight into music’s integral role in movies. This obscure form of live music brings out the subtle nuance and overlay of themes present in film scores that rarely make it through cinema sound systems. 

Film soundtracks serve a purpose much more significant than one might think, rather than merely existing to fill in awkward silence or indicate changes in tone. Recurring themes previously unheard or unnoticed are played to prominence in this form of live music, which allows listeners a chance to understand a film’s complex, intertwined themes by observing how thematic motifs evolve over the course of the film.

There are no flashing lights or thunderous applause in the three hours we spend in the theatre, but we leave with a deeper understanding of the film’s meaning, forming core memories that have the power to stir up complex emotions from a theme’s opening note. 

Upcoming performances: 

• Disney’s Fantasia, for fans of classic Disney.
• Singapore Symphony Orchestra will also be playing a medley of hits
• Anime fans have a Studio Ghibli performance to look forward to. 

Musicals

If watching a film on a flat screen isn’t quite what you’re looking for, then why not try out this perfect blend of artistry and acting: musicals? 

Musicals are not (contrary to popular belief) exclusively enjoyable by musical theatre enthusiasts. Sure, admirers of Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked, and Legally Blonde need no encouragement to attend, but anyone with a love for emotional stories and a keen appreciation for artistic expression can easily find joy in watching musicals.

What makes a musical a musical? Music, of course. The musical theatre scene comprises a diverse, quirky assortment of genres: from rap in Hamilton to opera in Phantom, there’s a musical to suit anyone’s taste.

Musicals can be loud and expressive, but they are oftentimes also soft, with layered meanings. Song and dance (all parts of the marvellous acting by performers) evoke feelings and convey complex themes that cannot be put into words. Each cast, each director, each theatre, also contributes to a musical’s message. They are adapted, interpreted, and performed by unique individuals, all factors coming together to send a different message each time the curtains open.

A deadly addictive trifecta of music, acting, and dance, musicals have the power to hook us unsuspecting entertainment-seekers, and in no time, we find ourselves devoted enthusiasts, watching “slime tutorials” online and unknowingly amassing facts about American history. What more could anyone ask for? 

Upcoming performances:

• For fans of fairy tales, ticket sales for the Beauty and the Beast musical open in December 2025.
• Fellow hobbits may be interested in the upcoming Lord of the Rings musical.

Jazz

Any arts student will certainly have heard of Shakespeare in the Park. Similarly, any music enthusiast should know that there are jazz music performances all year round in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. In a special event in April, the Gardens also celebrates UNESCO International Jazz Day with groovy performances. The best part? It’s all free. All you need is a chequered picnic mat, a bag full of snacks, and some friends to get the good vibes going.

The Esplanade also hosts Jazz in July, a month-long event of free-access jazz performances. Some performances are even prefaced by free beginner swing dance lessons. A range of jazz music is performed, from recitals by renowned local musicians, to international jazz with various cultural influences.

Ah! Jazz. That elusive, unpredictable art form. Characterised by swinging beats, syncopation, and complex spins on chromatics, jazz is predominantly based on the blues scale, giving it its “funky”, unique sound. 

But what truly makes jazz a singularity among music genres is its musicians. Any jazz piece, when played by a musician, takes on the player’s intention and character. No piece is ever played the same twice, and that is the beauty of live jazz music. Improvisations happen only once, and it is a privilege to share in the musicians’ creative vision, as well as their immense talent, for the short time they command the stage. 

The magic of that liminal space in which live jazz exists is indescribable, and can only be felt in the swing of the moment—a moment that, once passed, will never come again. The fleeting feelings evoked by jazz musicians are what make live jazz such a treasured art form, leaving audiences forever seeking the thrill and intimacy of sharing a “secret” with only those present.

Ballet

Ballet may not command mosh pits or deafening cheers, but its quiet intensity and expressive beauty make it one of the most moving forms of live performance. Where pop music dazzles with light and sound, ballet entrances with muscle, music, and movement, each gesture meticulously choreographed, each note embodied on stage. It is an art form where emotion is not sung or shouted, but danced in silence, under the spotlight.

Earlier this year, Singapore Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet offered a poignant reminder of ballet’s narrative power. In this revival of Choo-San Goh’s choreography, Prokofiev’s score was matched by bold staging, with the inclusion of a silent, ever-present figure representing Fate, a unique characteristic of Choo-San Goh’s work. Without uttering a word, the dancers conveyed all the tension, tenderness, and tragedy of Shakespeare’s lovers, proving that movement alone can tell a story just as powerfully as lyrics or dialogue.

For those seeking a similarly transportive experience, Swan Lake by the State Ballet of Georgia is set to arrive at Marina Bay Sands this September. With Tchaikovsky’s soaring music and iconic choreography, it promises a performance of both visual grandeur and emotional depth, the kind that lingers long after the final bow.

Ballet thrives on this kind of storytelling: not loud or ostentatious, but precise, deliberate, and deeply felt. For audiences willing to slow down and lean in, it offers something rare in our fast-moving world: stillness, grace, and stories that unfold in the quiet spaces between each note.

Upcoming performances:

• Swan Lake, arguably one of the most famous ballets, will be performed in Marina Bay Sands this September, by the talented dancers from the State Ballet of Georgia.

Coda

Whew! What a wide spectrum of live music. We bet you didn’t know about some of our more obscure recommendations. 

Live music is more than just the music itself; it’s a conversation between the performers and the audience, an exchange of unsaid words that extend way beyond the concert venue, into our future perception and appreciation of art in our lives. 

We encourage you, the reader, to step out beyond your comfort zone, and explore what live music has to offer: not just an hour-long performance, but a musical journey.