Chinatown Walk 2008

Night walk around Chinatown - 19 Feb 2008

All photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Singapore Airshow 2008

Singapore Airshow Trade Day - Feb 24th 2008

All Photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Incubus @ Fort Canning Park - 7 March 2008

Lights! Camera! Transaction! The Incubus concert kicked off at 9pm sharp, after opening band Saosin from California psyched the crowd up with a one hour set and the obligatory waiting for the rock stars. I haven't heard of Saosin (don't you just love the pronounciation?) before until the media started to give them some attention but they definately had their own fans out there in the sea of Incubus fanatics. People who were already jumping and mouthing lyrics to their brand of emo hardcore rock.

Speaking of the fans, what a crowd I'm telling you. We reached Fort Canning a little past 8pm and the sloping grassy area before the stage was already packed to the brim. And so I conclude that we do have plenty of Incubus fans in the country (just that I don't happen to know alot of them) and they were out in full force that night. I got the concert T-shirt which they were selling @ $40 before we weaved into the dense forest of people to find a good spot. The idea was to try to squeeze to the front when there was an opportunity.

The concert people decided to treat us to some 80s retro music while we waiting for Incubus and well, at least there were some people who were enjoying the good memories.

Once the band burst onto the stage with the very charismatic frontman Brandon Boyd, they began with introducing two songs from their latest album Light Grenades, "Quicksand" and "A Kiss To Send Us Off". "OK now the monster is awake..." crooned Brandon and how apt that line was. The built up was fantastic to the energetic chorus of AKTSUF and the band cleverly followed up with old favourites like "Nice To Know You" and "I Wish You Were Here". I wish you were there to experience that sort of phenomenon whereby you have the whole Fort Canning singing along. It was like some hippie movement whereby everyone was obsessed with the Incubus cause and where happiness permeated all the molecules in the air, which started to thump with the deafening beats of pure adoration. Who knows...maybe the security guards and bouncers were head-bopping too. It was that infectious.

One of the highlights has got be when Brandon sang one of their biggest hits "Drive" acoustic when the crowd's voices almost threatened to drown out his voice. The sound system was fantastic and the band were in top form, despite their intensive tour schedule. Brandon's vocals were solid, lead guitarist Michael Einziger stole the show at some points and DJ Kilmore added the unique factor with his turntablist skills. Mr Brandon showcased his guitar skills and played the bongo drums during one of the songs. We got to experience some serious guitar riffs and amazing combinations during the longer than usual Pistola. Phew. Their secret arsenal must be an infinite ageless passion for music.

The crowd went berserk (including myself) when Megalomanic was played. Even back where we stood, some 4 metres away from the stage, there was some minor moshing going on. I got shovelled a few times and Siv tried to ensure I didn't get any broken bones lolz. Oh well, if not for the wierd sickness that overcame me during the last third of the gig, I would have lurged forward, joined in the moshing, whatever. So yeah, that was a little disappointing for me. Being at such an amazing occasion but trying not to faint from the sharp pain in the stomach, accompanying nausea and stifling whiff of sweat and cigarettes that wrapped around us like a thick blanket.

Brandon made some lusty fans very happy when he stripped from his red pleated shirt, to grey singlet and to topless. Blame our notorious humidity but I think he does that quite often during their concerts. During one part of the concert, this guy from behind actually shouted something about wanted to (censored word) Brandon and coincidentally, Brandon muttered "thank you". Siv and I just looked at each other and laughed. So Brandon is certified hot and his appeal extends to both sexes. I mean some groupie wannabies were definately there for him but I'll like to think that most of us were united in our love for their talent and distinctive music.

Megalomaniac was the last song of their 14 song set but after much cajoling for an encore from the tireless crowd, the boys returned with an encore set which comprised of "Stellar", "Circles" and "Aqueous Transmission".

I’m building an antenna
Transmissions will be sent
When I am through
Maybe we can meet again
- Aqueous Transmission

So it was of the best concerts I've ever attended, though they didn't play "Warning". It was nice to know Incubus, live. I hope we can meet again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Complete Set List

1) Quicksand
2) A Kiss To Send Us Off
3) Nice To Know You
4) I Wish You Were Here
5) Anna Molly
6) Vitamin
7) Favourite Things
8) The Warmth
9) Drive
10) Oil and Water
11) Pistola
12) Talk Shows on Mute
13) Sick Little Sad World
14) Megalomaniac

Encore set

15) Stellar
16) Circles
17) Aqueous Tranmission