Garden Beats attendees share their favourite memories and survival tips for this year's festival!

Next month, Garden Beats will return for another glorious edition, soundtracked by all the various and most dancey pillars of house music, the arena-sized rock chops of Foals, and the ethereal R&B charms of Sabrina Claudio. A formidable line-up of some of Singapore's most popular DJs, including Brendon P, Bongomann and Toppings of Ice Cream Sundays, and Fat Fish Familia's Orio. 

Below, we speak to six attendees of past Garden Beats editions on what they loved about the festival, and what they think you should or shouldn't do come 29 February.  

RAZALI ROHANI

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- All of them. Ever since Sunshine Nation introduced Garden Beats, I never missed a year. I just love every bit of the festival. There aren't any big names, but a solid mix of all house sub-genres.

Favourite acts: 

- Blomqvist (2016), Ava Asante (2017), Nils Hoffman (2017).

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- Almost everything about it! From the friendly volunteers to the artsy set up with handcrafted props and games like the Jenga. The ambience and great music always brings good vibes at the festival! Not forgetting the amazing choice of food! You won’t have to worry if you should eat lunch or dinner before coming.

What're some festival survival tips you'd like to share with a first time attendee?

1) Dress down fashionably because it can get extra humid. Be ready for paparazzi shots from the cameramen.
2) Make sure there is sufficient value in your wrist band E-card to minimise queuing for a long time to get your drinks and food.
3) It's best to book a Grab in advance as it gets crowded at the exit after the festival. 

SHARON CHAN

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- 2015, 2018

Favourite acts: 

- Definitely Andhim was a standout act for me in 2018, Youngr came in a close second that year as well.

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- What I love about Garden Beats is the outdoor, relaxed, picnic-in-the-park vibe. It's quite unlike the usual music festivals in the region – which can be more intense/full-on. Coupled with the more ‘chilled’ music, this is just a lovely way to spend an afternoon with your pals enjoying the sunshine with some great music and beers.

What’re some festival survival tips you’d like to share with a first-time attendee?

1) Definitely bring sunscreen, a fan and a mat – you’re going to be in the sun for four hours, easily!
2) While pictures are important (of course!), dress comfortably. No point looking great for Instagram, if you’re suffering.
3) The queue for drinks tends to be pretty long, so I “stock up” every time I do a drinks run.

DANIELLE ROMAN

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- 2017

Favourite acts: 

- Autograf, AVA Asante, Tube & Berger, Teenage Mutants

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- This was my first Garden Beats Festival so I didn't really have many expectations (I mean I wore denim mom jeans) but I got to do hippie Pinterest-type things like face paint, wear real flower crowns and recklessly dance my legs off. I don't think I can ever get another similar experience to that somewhere else.

What’re some festival survival tips you’d like to share with a first time attendee?

1) Dress light, because the sun shows no mercy.
2) Wear sunscreen and stay hydrated.

BERNICE KWOK

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- 2019 and 2016 

Favourite acts: 

- Masego, Alina Baraz, Yung Bae, The Kooks

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- Masego was craaaaazy good, might have been one of my favourite sets of 2019. 

What’re some festival survival tips you’d like to share with a first time attendee?

- Dress light and comfy. Don’t be stupid like me and wear long pants.

WIRA SATRIA

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- 2019

Favourite acts: 

- Alina Baraz

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- Beer was good and the payment systems were solid.

What're some festival survival tips you'd like to share with a first time attendee?

- Pack light and bring something you can chill on. Bring a little something to throw your waste in.

STELLA JEE

Which year did you attend Garden Beats: 

- 2018

Favourite acts: 

- I only remember Youngr - honestly went because of friends and nothing to do with the lineup, and Youngr was someone I've never heard but became obsessed with after seeing his live set. 

What did you enjoy most about the festival: 

- I enjoyed the atmosphere because it was really chill. I expected the lineup, crowd and activities throughout the day to be curated towards a more specific genre that more or less be aligned with mine. And, absolutely, the company I had made it good!

What're some festival survival tips you'd like to share with a first time attendee?

1) Stay hydrated but not too hydrated that you need to you the portable toilet too often.
2) Try to avoid the portable toilet.

While there are a ton of things to do at Garden Beats – like checking out the art installations, for one – the most important thing you can do at the festival, is stay hydrated. Load up on water as much as – if not more than – your other beverages, and make sure dress lightly to avoid nasty heat strokes. If you're not feeling well, alert your friends, step out of the crowd, and find a spot to cool down. Know your limits, and have fun within those limits, because while the music may be the main reason for being at the festival, safety will always be paramount. 

The 7th edition of Garden Beats is set to take place at Fort Canning Park on 29 February 2020. Ticket discounts are still available, get them here.