Restaurants are built on their culinary expertise, aiming to develop novel flavour profiles and deliver the utmost service to their patrons. These are the prerequisites of a dining experience, but a few have adapted and revised the foundations. Of many, Naga House, Nothing Fancy, and Offtrack broke this chain. The three share two primary pillars: food and music blending harmoniously, where eclectic music incentivises customers to visit or dine in longer. They boldly opened their doors amid the pandemic in 2022, defying the uncertainty that had caused a domino effect of F&B businesses shutting down.
During the trying times of the pandemic, the F&B sector was not the only one that went through a metamorphosis. Music did too. In the post-pandemic reality that we live in now, the landscape of music appreciation and engagement in Singapore is departing from “cultural cringe”, a deeply ingrained mindset that fostered a sense of inferiority toward local talents. “Foreign is better” was a biased admiration for them, but what catalysed the current seismic shift of including local talents?
Isolation nurtured a yearning for authenticity and a new wave of recognition for the burgeoning local music scene. “More people are looking inward for inspiration; this is influencing and giving people the confidence to start new collectives because we are realising now that we don’t need to rely on external forces to make good things happen here,” says Daniel O’Connor, co-founder of Offtrack.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
An Electrifying Ride
With a pack full of features, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV promises luxurious, joyful and fuss-free journeys.
Full Circle
The Macallan travels back in time with the TIME:SPACE to celebrate 200 years of whisky-making mastery.
Maturity in Spirit
The Glenrothes' revamped Core Collection mirrors our human bildungsroman, revealing the artistry behind the maturation process with its latest pop-up.
Benvenuto a Locanda
There is no experience more impactful than an honest meal and earnest hospitality, so Locanda makes for an appealing culinary stopover that should not be missed.
A Genuine Article of Fusion
Quenino by Victor Liong is the resident fine-dining hideout of Artyzen Singapore, its degustation menu showcases the best of Asian cuisine melded with contemporary Western savoir-faire.
The Last Word
As the Official Timekeeper for the Olympics, there is a tremendous onus that comes with the role. After all, the Olympics is the world's stage where human excellence is measured down to the minutiae. By that standard, OMEGA's competence in the timekeeping field is also measured.
From Paper to Metal
Men's Folio visited the Cartier Manufacture and Maison des Métiers d'Art earlier this year to discover the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation within those wall
Mavericks Amongst Traditionalists
Fashion watch brands are finding their feet amidst century old watchmakers as their maverick approach sets them apart from the current landscape of watchmaking.
The Case for the "It" Watch
As much as watches in popular culture being necessary might be an unpopular opinion, here is why it is crucial to the survival of the passion we all love.
Heavy Lidded
In the masculine world of grooming, the sport (or art) of decorating one's lids with darkened kohl has been practised amongst niche circles, reserved for only a few brave men willing to go - or draw - the lengths of a sharp winged liner. Given the past decade's adoration of the bare-is-best routines, the notion of lined eyes has been mostly cast away. However, as the return of the Indie Sleaze movement returns, confronting the pressing question cannot be put off any longer. Should the world be opening its eyes and waking up for the return of \"guyliner\"?