Sounds from a global stage

The popular Mosaic Music Festival returns to Singapore’s Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for its ninth edition next Friday, celebrating diversity through a mix of sounds that includes Afro-pop, rock, jazz, post-rock, soul, electronica and nuevo tango. 

The event will feature music-makers from around the globe in a line-up showcasing a variety of music genres and cultures, presenting both artists who will be making their Singapore debut as well as returning favourites.

Featuring a line-up of more than 350 artists from 15 countries performing over 10 days at various venues throughout Esplanade, audiences will be spoiled for choice with the music on offer. Ticketed performances are being held in the Concert Hall, in the intimate Mosaic Studio (Esplanade Recital Studio) and at the Mosaic Club (Esplanade Theatre Studio), with all three venues giving a different feel and flavour. These acts are complemented by a slew of free performances taking place every day at the Mosaic Living Room (Esplanade Concourse) and Mosaic Music Station (Esplanade Outdoor Theatre), as well as talks at the library and music workshops for beginners conducted by seasoned musicians.

“We want to add to the increasingly vibrant concert scene in Singapore, by presenting types of music and artists that audiences here would not normally get to experience. These include forms like jazz and world music as well as musically gifted artists from all over the world,” says Clarence Yap, assistant director of programming. 

“We hope that in building a festival like this, we can expose more audiences here to the richness and diversity that the world of music has to offer.”

Highlights of the festival this year include Grammy award winners – R&B and soul singer Joss Stone and jazz musician Esperanza Spalding. Also performing at the Esplanade Concert Hall are music festival circuit regulars – indie rock band Grizzly Bear who recently released their fourth album, as well as alternative electro-rock group MuteMath who recorded the theme for “Transformers” and the song “Spotlight” in the “Twilight” film soundtrack. 

Jazz enthusiasts can expect to be enthralled by Miles Smiles – a super-group of some of the jazz world’s best musicians featuring Wallace Roney, Joey DeFrancesco, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Larry Coryell and Rick Margitza who have all worked with American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis at some point in their lives and are paying tribute to him and his music. 

British singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan graces the stage with hits such as “Alone Again (Naturally)”, “Clair” and “Get Down” and Salif Keita will thrill audiences with his brand of electrifying Afro-Cuban music. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra returns to Singapore’s shores after having the entire house on their feet back in Mosaic 2007 with their mix of traditional ska, jazz, big-band and rock.

 

Highlights at mosaic 2013

March 8 – Joss Stone, Jack & Rai

March 9 – Grizzly Bear, Tropic Green

March 12 – Salif Keita

March 13 – Esperanza Spalding 

March 15 – Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Rupa & the April Fishes

March 17 – Julia, Stone, My Brightest Diamond 

For more, check out www.MosaicMusicFestival.com/2013