Music and food have always paired well together. From romantic ballads that sprinkle a dash of sentiment over a glass of red wine, to groovy Italian tunes making that bowl of pasta taste all the more authentic, they have long worked hand in hand to set the tone of many an evening.
And in a modern world where vibes are paramount, music, with its power to elevate a meal into an experience, is more essential than ever.
These days, live bands can be found almost anywhere in Singapore: in banquet halls, casual restaurants, bars, clubs, and even hawker centres and coffee shops.
Yes, that nucleus of heartland life has a new soundtrack, an added layer on top of the usual clanging of bowls and crowd chatter.
Twice a month, One Punggol Hawker Centre in Punggol Drive comes alive with the sound of music. The Music Affair, a live band, belt out nearly two hours' worth of pop hits.
They switch effortlessly between chart-toppers like Ed Sheeran's Perfect and kid-friendly jams like Baby Shark, much to the delight of their young audience.
These Hawker Harmony sessions are organised on the second and fourth Friday of every month by the centre's management, Timbre Group.
"Building a community in Punggol is something that we have been very focused on for the last couple of years. We focus on what we can do to entertain the kids, inspire the youth and get families to enjoy music together in an inter-generational setting," says Mr Danny Loong, 52, chief executive and founder of Timbre Group.
He adds that since One Punggol Hawker Centre is a good distance from the residential estate and attracts many young families, it was the ideal place to trial this musical programme, which began in May.
The musician, who used to lead Universal Blues Band, also wanted to make live music more accessible.
Here, instead of paying $20 for a drink as they would have to in a bar, patrons can enjoy the music with just a $1.50 kopi in hand.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 17, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 17, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The Straits Times launches Food In The Hood guide for best eats in Singapore
Hungry? Look no further than the new Food In The Hood guide by The Straits Times' food team.
Music goes on for Gravity Band at Brix nightclub
It is 9pm on a Wednesday night, the calm before the storm.
Live music with your cup of kopi
Musicians and DJs have been hitting hawker centres and coffee shops to liven up the atmosphere at eating haunts
Author Marilyn Choong believes communicating with the dead can help with grief
While grieving the death of her mother from cancer in June 2022, Singaporean author Marilyn Choong started receiving what she believed were signs from the afterlife — multi-colored feathers began to appear in her home.
Strong premise of a rental wife, pity the unfocused storytelling
The Trunk satirises marriage, yet lacks the bite to offer any illuminating insights about the institution
Enter a soft, warm home full of stories in Mina's Matchbox
On March 16, 1972, 12-year-old Tomoko takes the Sanyo Shinkansen line from Okayama City, Japan, to the coastal town of Ashiya to stay with her aunt's family.
Let's Talk About Death Who will inherit my digital assets?
Let's Talk About Death is a five-episode docuseries that follows several millennials and their loved ones as they navigate end-of-life planning, and it starts honest conversations about death and dying well.
Chef-restaurateur turns influencer at 49
When he decided to produce a supermarket series of TikTok videos on the best-tasting brands of pasta, olive oil, and butter, little did restaurant owner and chef Gero DiMaria expect it to kick-start his second career as a social media influencer at age 49.
VIRTUAL LIFT FOR TAEKWONDO
Martial art hopes to boost grassroots participation with electronic format
Bye, BIG TECH benefits
Singapore employees at tech giants are feeling the pinch after rounds of company cutbacks and layoffs
