by Eyra Fazira, EY-Baybeats Budding Music Writer

Not a stranger to what happens behind the scenes at live productions; I am not surprised by the amount of work that goes behind the annual Baybeats festival. Unlike the first round of auditions held at LASALLE College of the Arts, the other Esplanade Youths-Baybeats Budding Music Writers and I had a lot more to do this time round, than to just sit and watch the bands perform. We were introduced to several people involved in the important audition process and were given various tasks throughout the day, so that we would have a better understanding of what it takes to present a celebrated festival like Baybeats.

15 bands had returned for Round 2 held at Esplanade’s Outdoor Theatre, including some of my favourites – Dropbeat Heartbeat, Cashew Chemists, Atlas and A Town in Fear. Needless to say, I was definitely looking forward to seeing all the bands bring their A-game. As Obedient Wives Club went up on stage and kickstarted the auditions, I found myself humming along to its dreamy, retro-pop tunes as I stationed myself at the registration booth, where I was given the responsibility to make sure that the bands report on time and are given their artist passes. I even managed to have a proper, light-hearted conversation with some of the bands – the boys from Embrace Them Ghosts proved to be a very funny bunch! 

Obedient Wives Club at the Baybeats 2012 Round 2 Auditions

As the day progressed, the crowd gradually grew bigger as people stopped to listen to the bands perform. What I found most amusing as I helped the marketing team interview the bands after their audition was that they were all (and I really do mean it when I say all!) more nervous in front of a few people behind a small camera, than performing on a big stage in front of a large crowd!

In between running around for my assigned duties, I caught glimpses of the bands performances and Godzilla proved that they were mature beyond their average age of 15 years and had successfully got the audience pumped up with their upbeat tunes. However, Atlas turned out to be a disappointment. I honestly felt that their original band line up was better, not only by how they sound but also, at being able to express the earnest nature of their band across to others sincerely.

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Godzilla at the Baybeats 2012 Round 2 Auditions

After I assisted the stage manager and helped to ensure that there is a constant and smooth flow in the schedule, I finally had time to hang out with my mentor, Kevin Mathews, to properly listen to the last few bands of the day. ANECHOIS were as good as always, receiving approving head-bobs from the audience as they performed, while A Town in Fear brought the long day of auditions to a close with a great set that was well-paced and highly entertaining.

A Town In Fear at the Baybeats 2012 Round 2 Auditions

 

At the end of the day, Baybeats is still all about the music and is an initiative to uncover and showcase promising young bands to the music scene. Most of the bands that performed managed to impress me again today, with their tenacious spirit and never-say-die attitude. There was no doubt in my mind that the crowd were sincerely enjoying the music that was being presented to them and that they will be back to catch the top eight bands perform live at Baybeats 2012, from 29 June - 1 July!

Eyra Fazira is an aspiring music journalist currently being mentored by established local music writer Kevin Mathews as part of the Esplanade Youths-Baybeats Budding Music Writers Mentoring Programme 2012.

Tags:A Town In Fear Anechois Atlas Baybeats Buzz 2012 Cashew Chemists Dropbeat Heartbeat Embrace Them Ghosts EY Budding Music Writers Godzilla Obedient Wives Club
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