I’ve always been lucky when it comes to gigs this year - no exceptional for St. Jerome’s Laneway festival as well. I was on a spring break trip with my friends to Penang and all of a sudden, I got a startling Instagram notification (the contest platform from MTV Asia). We were having hot pot for lunch as I received the good news, everyone was over the moon for me but I was worried about my flight tickets instead since it was totally by surprise (and impromptu trips kill me sometimes though I love that flush of excitement but nah)
We got food poisoning after lunch though, and all three of us were semi-dead in the hotel room - I worried about the wrong things instead.
I’ve heard so many good stories about St Jerome’s Laneway festival, touring annually through Auckland, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Fremantle, but I’ve never set my heart to actually plan and attend. The music carnival that hails from the land Down Under debuted 4 years ago in the only SEA location, and just the mention of James Blake itself already got me so jumpy and thrilled.
The highlight of the festival for me was definitely Blake, Haim, and xxyyxx. CHVRCHES then performed in Kuala Lumpur later during the year as well, for Urbanscapes’ satellite show - the kickstart party before the real deal local art/music festival that runs annually in KL. The accessibility to seeing them live is much easier compared to the past since they’re much on the rise, things were only bounded in a screen-earphones relationship then.
I've dropped by Urbanscapes the year before, which I've won my tickets to as well. The line ups for the music segment gets better each year, with the rise of the ticket pricing too. Highlighting the festival for the year was Franz Ferdinand, Two Door Cinema Club, Tegan & Sara, and Efterklang, with a mix of local artists and also bands from the neighbouring nations. The local festival offers comedy shows/talks from local entertainers too, and a whole stretch of art vendors exhibiting and selling their art products. TDCC canceled their performance because Alex Trimble was unwell, my friend and I had plans for another gig so we just left earlier, with heavy hearts, because we really wanted to see TDCC.
I've dropped by Urbanscapes the year before, which I've won my tickets to as well. The line ups for the music segment gets better each year, with the rise of the ticket pricing too. Highlighting the festival for the year was Franz Ferdinand, Two Door Cinema Club, Tegan & Sara, and Efterklang, with a mix of local artists and also bands from the neighbouring nations. The local festival offers comedy shows/talks from local entertainers too, and a whole stretch of art vendors exhibiting and selling their art products. TDCC canceled their performance because Alex Trimble was unwell, my friend and I had plans for another gig so we just left earlier, with heavy hearts, because we really wanted to see TDCC.
Lorde was included in the main lineup but not in the Singapore lineup (tears), and I had to be absent for Jamie XX’s set too because the Cloud Stage had no chill at all during xxyyxx. My friend and I were slightly disturbed so we decided to stick to Haim, then Daughter, and then James Blake. Perfect schedule - which in actual truth, we were rooted on the moist grass, eventually we got used to our sitting positions then only moved to the front for Blake’s set.
Currency exchange rates between Singaporean dollars and Malaysian ringgit will never be a healthy competition, ringgit just dies. We bought a few tokens for food, no (money) room for beer anymore but there’s always spaces for handmade fruit popsicles. Also, I hung my festival bracelet on my Kanken ever since. We both bought a festival five panel cap too, and I've never seen my friend wear it when we go out anymore. Me too.
We then dropped by The Little Prince cafe - rose latte is finally fitting to be served in a coffeehouse since the story revolves around the flower. I’ll never be a fan of coffee with any other kinds of syrup/condiments, yet that cuppa was smooth and the rose flavour blends in quite well. I was traumatised by hazelnut once and the migraine wouldn’t stop until I sleep, I usually would pass with the flavours when I go for coffee. I just wanted to test my preferences and I almost died, what a way to feel alive.
The cozy space was just a corner away from our lodging in Lavender, and that area is somewhat flooded with delightful coffeehouses as well. The Little Prince stands out with its theme, exhibiting versions of the book in different languages, designs, and the spin offs of the story as well. I was extremely gratified - I have itchy hands rather than itchy feet, I constantly need to fiddle with something and the books were open to public to read. The coffeehouse owner has enthusiasts contribute to the themed coffeehouse as gifts, from merchandises like handmade dolls and keychains, to the books sitting on the hung shelves.
It's really pleasant to have people reminded you of your interests - I have people tagging me on Facebook and received gifts when it comes to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Will be back soon Singapore!
Will be back soon Singapore!
