Culture Vulture

Music lovers will be spoilt for choice at the Mosaic Music Festival, which kicks off tomorrow 13 March, Friday, at the Esplanade. 

The popular annual 10-day music festival is back for the fifth time with a smorgasbord of international and regional acts ranging from acoustic folk and smoky jazz to world music, avant-garde rock and hip-hop. 

Ticket prices start at $38 and are capped at $149. The good news is this: In view of the economic crisis, there are more than a hundred free performances this year, compared to just 80 last year. Free performances will take place at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (renamed Nokia Music Station) and the Esplanade Concourse (renamed Haagen-Dazs Living Room). 

Based on my personal preference for sultry vocals, great acoustics and plaintive, heartfelt tunes, my two top picks would be:

Indigo Girls

Twenty years on since they first teamed up, Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Salliers have won many fans with their gutsy brand of acoustic guitar-based folk rock, powerful vocals and achingly honest songs about heartbreak, environmental issues, prejudice and social injustice. 

Some 15 albums and numerous chart-toppers later, the duo is still going strong…having politely declined the opportunity to mellow with age. Devoted environmental and social-justice activists and lifelong music-industry mavericks, the pair – harder-rocking Amy and love-song balladeer Emily – have spent their entire career pushing boundaries on a variety of causes and addressing socio-political issues with empathy and conviction. Catch the Girls close-up in their first visit to Singapore!

When and Where: 

16 March (Monday), 7.30pm

Esplanade Concert Hall

Tix at $58, $88, $118

En Este Momento: Claudia Acuna

Claudia Acuna has smitten listeners with her strong, smoking vocals and smouldering delivery of Latin folk and jazz classics, inspiring such descriptions from critics as “the voice of an angel” and “a calm, rippling sea”.

The Chilean songstress kickstarts her world tour here by unveiling her new album, En Este Momento, featuring South American folk songs and original compositions in Spanish and English. Definitely calente (hot)! 

When and Where: 

15 March (Sunday), 7.30pm

Esplanade Recital Studio

Tix at $38

For details log onto www.mosaicmusicfestival.com

Tickets from SISTIC (tel: 6348 5555; www.sistic.com.sg)