With worldwide travel borders reopened, international artists are going back on tour in full force via music concerts and festivals in 2023, especially in Singapore. Last year already saw global musicians like K-pop group Seventeen, multi-award GRAMMY winner Billie Eilish, Irish rock band The Script, and American indie singer-songwriter keshi performing in Singapore since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
2023 will see even more acts coming to Singapore for live music concerts and festivals. In fact, the year started with a bang as January and February saw beloved boyband acts like Westlife and Backstreet Boys belting out their greatest hits while new generation groups like K-pop’s Stray Kids, MAMAMOO, and ITZY dazzled on stage with high-octane performances.
Also, indie musicians such as American alternative R&B singer-songwriter Kehlani, Los Angeles indie rockers Wallows, and American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex attracted their local cult following with earnest self-penned compositions.
Nothing beats watching and hearing your favourite musicians singing their chart hits live. The upcoming 2023 calendar in Singapore is stacked with music concerts and festivals headlined by heavyweight entertainers like BLACKPINK, Tomorrow by Together, Harry Styles, SUGA of BTS, HONNE, NCT DREAM, and more. Check out our list of the best 2023 music concerts and festivals to attend in Singapore.
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Live concerts and music festivals happening in Singapore for 2023
May 2023
NCT Dream: The Dream Show 2 – May 1
SM Entertainment’s global boyband NCT has been making waves in the music industry since their inception. One of its sub-units, the teenaged-focused NCT Dream, accompanied listeners through weal and woe while reflecting on youth, adolescence, and growth. As they come of age and transition from innocence to rebellion, their music follows too, sounding more confident and assured. They will illustrate what dreams are with a curated dynamic setlist that’s sure to get everyone up on their feet.
NCT Dream: The Dream Show 2 happens on May 1. Ticketing details and venue TBC.
Drip Singapore presents Sik-K for DRIP82 – May 6
Mnet’s hip-hop reality survival competition program Show Me The Money alum Sik-K will be hitting the main stage at Drip Singapore via DRIP82. He will be the inaugural artist to perform under this feature, which spotlights South Korean artists in a series of shows.
Sik-K most notably signed with H1GHR MUSIC, which was founded by Jay Park, but recently left after his contract expired in July 2022. Now an independent artist, look forward to his explosive performance of ‘iffy’, ‘party (Shut Down)’, ‘Rendezvous’, and latest single ‘TTM’ live.
DRIP82 featuring Sik-K happens at Drip Singapore on May 6. Ticket prices start from SGD68.
BLACKPINK World Tour [Born Pink] – May 13 and 14
You can probably say that BLACKPINK is the world’s biggest girl group currently, judging from their ongoing expansive world tour that finds them performing in major cities globally via music festivals like Coachella and major music concerts in 2023. Boasting iconic hits like ‘Kill This Love’ and ‘Boombayah’ to recent earworms ‘Pink Venom’ and ‘Shut Down’, there’s no denying the evident charisma that exudes from the quartet. This is a rare chance to catch them live in action.
BLACKPINK World Tour [Born Pink] happens at Singapore National Stadium on May 13 and 14. Ticket prices start from SGD168.
Ruel 4th Wall World Tour Live in Singapore – May 14
At just twenty years old, Ruel inspired many with his emotionally intelligent and mature musical sensibilities. The Sydney-based British Australian singer-songwriter recently dropped his high-anticipated debut album 4th Wall in March 2023 and will go on tour in support of this release that reflects his discovery of self-assurance.
Experience the Gen Z music trailblazer perform songs like ‘Lie’, ‘Japanese Whiskey’, and ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Like You’ for the first time live alongside hits from his previous three EPs Ready, Free Time, and Bright Lights, Red Eyes.
Ruel 4th Wall World Tour Live in Singapore happens at The Theatre at Mediacorp on 14 May 2023. Ticket prices start from SGD98.
EXO-SC Back to Back Fan Con Tour in Singapore – May 17
Two of nine members of South Korean boyband EXO is set to meet their fans in Singapore in May. This second official sub-unit of EXO is made up of Sehun and Chanyeol (this first is EXO-CBX consisting of Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiu Min).
Debuted in July 2019 with mini album What a Life, the duo won the 34th Golden Disc Awards in Disc Bonsang category for the record that same year. Now you can watch the award-winning duo perform their latest songs like ‘1 Billion Views’ live and interact with them at this fan con too.
EXO-SC Back to Back Fan Con Tour in Singapore happens at The Star Theatre on May 17. Ticket prices start from SGD198.
HONNE: MAY 2023 Asia Tour – May 18
Indie fans will be thrilled that alternative-pop duo HONNE will arrive at our shores again after their previous gig four years ago. Can’t get enough of the UK-based electronic band’s easy-listening compositions? Besides their well-known classics, HONNE will also perform songs from their last two albums, mixtape ‘no song without you’ (2020) and Let’s Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?’ (2021), which haven’t been played to a live audience since global travel resumed.
HONNE: MAY 2023 Asia Tour happens at The Star Theatre on May 18. Ticket prices start from SGD78.
Ne-Yo ‘Live in Singapore’ – May 22
Into smooth and silky R&B? American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo will perform in Singapore live for the very first time in May. Expect the GRAMMY award-winning musician to serenade the audience with familiar and classic platinum chart-topping hits like ‘Miss Independent’, ‘So Sick, ‘Closer’, ‘Sexy Love’, ‘Mad’, and ‘Because of You’. This concert will certainly get you grooving from the start.
Ne-Yo ‘Live in Singapore’ happens at The Star Theatre, The Star Performing Arts Centre on May 22. Ticket prices start from SGD68.
Conor Maynard: Continued Part II 2023 World Tour – May 23
It’s been more than a decade since Conor Maynard debuted in the entertainment industry. The British singer-actor made a splash with hits like ‘Can’t Say No’ and ‘R U Crazy’. Now an independent artist and gaining full creative control of his craft from his home studio, Maynard still reaches out to a global audience with the reliability of his music and his savvy knowledge of social media. See the outcome of his musical evolution live while belting out catchy tunes to bop along.
Conor Maynard: Continued Part II 2023 World Tour happens at Capitol Theatre on May 23. Ticket prices start from SGD108.
Matt Maltese Live in Singapore – May 24
British-Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Maltese is definitely one musician you should have on your radar and playlist. The London-based artist has famous fans, including Doja Cat, Jamie T, and Kim Taehyung of BTS. Acclaimed musician Frank Ocean also featured Maltese’s single ‘Rom-Com Gone Wrong’ on his Blonded Radio show.
On the cusp of releasing his fourth studio album Driving Just To Drive, expect Maltese to present songs from this upcoming record, like his latest single ‘Florence’, live for the first time.
Matt Maltese Live in Singapore happens at University Cultural Centre Theatre (UCC Theatre) on May 24. Ticket prices start from SGD78.
The Trilldon: JUSTHIS & MIRANI – May 25
Korean hip-hop fans will certainly get hyped for this double-bill gig featuring rappers JUSTHIS and MIRANI. Following hip-hop group Dynamicduo’s live performance last December, The Trilldon concept returns with its sophomore concert. Multihyphenate JUSTHIS first appeared on Show Me The Money as a producer with a unique rap style which blends elements of jazz, soul, and boom bap showcased on tunes including ‘IndiGO’, ‘MOMM’, and ‘The Roots’.
On the other hand, MIRANI competed in Show Me The Money 9. The rising female rapper rose to fame after with hits like ‘VVS’, ‘Daisy’, and ‘Lambo!’ among others. The two met on Show Me The Money 9 where MIRANI was part of JUSTHIS’ crew and collaborated to release ‘VVS’.
The Trilldon: JUSTHIS & MIRANI happens at Drip Singapore on May 24. Ticket prices start from SGD128.
Phum Viphurit Live in Singapore – May 25
Bangkok-based singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit is not a stranger to Singapore. Having performed in the city-state often, the Thai-born, New Zealand-raised indie sensation returns this time to promote tunes from his latest sophomore album The Greng Jai Piece released earlier in February 2023.
Anticipate the alternative indie-pop maestro to perform live renditions of singles ‘Healing House’, ‘Temple Fair’, and ‘Welcome Change’ alongside favourites like ‘Lover Boy’ and ‘Long Gone’.
Phum Viphurit Live in Singapore happens at the Capitol Theatre on May 25. Tickets are priced at SGD88.
June 2023
Damien Rice – June 3
Previously performed in Singapore via the Neon Lights festival in 2015 and a solo concert in 2016, Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice returns to our shoes for a live gig after seven years. Known for his introspective and emotionally raw songwriting style, Rice can elicit a gamut of moods from listeners – like melancholy, desire, loneliness, and regret.
Although Rice hadn’t released new material in years, we have a hunch he might preview unreleased songs he’d written over the years. If you hadn’t experienced the devastating impact of ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ and ‘I Don’t Want to Change You’, here’s the chance to see him perform live in person.
Damien Rice Live in Singapore happens at The Star Theatre on June 3. Ticket prices start from SGD98.
BoyWithUke 2023 Asia Tour in Singapore – June 5
Talent speaks for itself. That is how BoyWithUke expresses his deft musical qualities to the world without showing his face. The 20-year-old artist produces and writes all of his viral TikTok hits in his dorm room on GarageBand, most of which are inspired by fans. By donning his now-signature mask with glowing LED eyes, BoyWithUke puts music on the centre stage and performs with a ukelele. Of course, you’ve already heard the widespread ‘Toxic’ and ‘IDGAF’.
BoyWithUke is no one-hit-wonder. His debut album Serotonin Dreams, released last year features prominent collabs including blackbear, mxmtoon, and Powfu. This year, he returns with his Antisocial EP which is led by his latest single ‘Rockstar’. Watch him perform his famous minute tunes live for the first time in Singapore.
BoyWithUke 2023 Asia Tour in Singapore happens at Capitol Theatre on June 5. Ticket prices start from SGD88.
Suga of BTS: ‘Agust D’ Solo World Tour – June 17 and 18
Although Jin of BTS has enlisted in the South Korean military, the group’s members continue to pursue their solo music endeavours. In fact, Suga will be the first of the septet to headline a solo world tour as his other moniker Agust D.
It is expected that he will showcase his self-produced and self-writing songs from his two mixtapes at his music concert in Singapore come June 2023. But there might be a surprise covers segment as he has songwriting and production credits on over 100 songs, including PSY’s ‘That That’ (which he was featured in) and SURAN’s ‘Wine’.
Suga’s ‘August D’ Solo World Tour happens at Singapore Indoor Stadium on June 17 and 18. Ticketing details TBC.
NMIXX showcase tour <Nice to MIXX You> in Singapore – June 23
JYP Entertainment’s youngest girl group and labelmates of TWICE will be heading to Singapore for a music showcase. As expected with the South Korean K-pop agency’s groups, they are known to be vocal powerhouses. NMIXX proved that on a recent episode of KBS’ Immortal Songs performing a cover of Shim Soo Bong’s song ‘I Hate You’.
The sextet recently made a comeback this year with their first EP Expérgo which features catchy lead single ‘Love Me Like This’. Also appearing on the album is pre-release single ‘Young, Dumb, Stupid’ which contains an interpolation of the French nursery rhyme ‘Frère Jacques’. Attendees will sing ‘ding-dang-dong’ together with them in no time.
NMIXX showcase tour <Nice to MIXX You> happens at The Star Theatre on June 23. Ticket prices start from SGD148.
IVE The First Fan Concert <The Prom Queens> – June 30
Deemed as one of K-pop’s hottest girl groups alongside NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM and NMIXX, IVE will be the first of the lot to tour Asia with their first fan concert. Every single released by the six-member group so far has been a hit. We’re sure you can sing to ‘Eleven’, ‘Love Dive’, and ‘After Like’ without any trouble. IVE is also reported to make a comeback with their debut mini-album before this concert. Hence, expect them to perform new songs at this concert.
IVE The First Fan Concert <The Prom Queens> happens at The Star Theatre on June 30. Ticketing details TBC.
July 2023
The 1975: ‘At Their Very Best’ tour – July 18
If British Rock is defined by Blur and Oasis in the 1990s, then The 1975 represents the new millennium and Generation Z. That’s how influential the energetic tunes by the English pop-rock band are. The quartet returns to Singapore this July to perform songs from their critically acclaimed albums. Look forward to a dynamic setlist consisting of tunes from Notes on a Conditional Form and their latest record Being Funny in a Foreign Language.
The 1975: ‘At Their Very Best’ tour happens on July 18. Ticketing details and venue TBC.
Lewis Capaldi Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent Tour – July 25
One of Great Britain’s most talented contemporary musicians will return to Singapore for a gig soon. Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi first performed his debut sold-out show back in January 2020 that left the audience in awe.
The BRIT award winner and GRAMMY-nominated singer will release his newest album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent in May which includes hit singles ‘Pointless’, ‘Forget Me’, and latest single ‘How I’m Feeling Now’. Ever humble and relatable, hear Capaldi perform these songs live in Singapore to know why he’s a music superstar.
Lewis Capaldi Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent tour happens at The Star Theatre on July 25. Ticket prices start from SGD98.
Dhruv Live in Singapore – July 27
Those who use social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram will find dhruv (and his music) familiar. His catchy songs, especially ‘Double Take’ went viral for being relatable among the Gen Z audience. Born in London to Indian parents, dhruv is raised in Singapore and is now based in London.
Back in Asia with only two stops in Singapore and Seoul, dhruv will perform intimate songs from his debut EP record rapunzel, which tells a deeply personal coming-of-age story through six expertly-crafted songs. “rapunzel is about self-discovery,” dhruv emphasises. There are also more recent cuts like ‘airplane thoughts’, a stream-of-consciousness anthem about being away from a loved one during COVID.
Dhruv Live in Singapore happens at The Theatre at Mediacorp on July 27. Ticket prices start from SGD88.
Sabrina Carpenter: emails i can’t send Tour – July 27
23-year-old breakout star Sabrina Carpenter is definitely one artist to have on your radar. The singer-songwriter and actress recently gained fame with the Sundance Film Festival feature Emergency and stepped into the music spotlight with her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send which includes singles ‘Skinny Dipping’, ‘Fast Times’, and ‘Nonsense’. Back with a deluxe repackage of that album titled Emails I Can’t Send Fwd, Carpenter will most likely perform live versions of four new songs added onto her latest release.
Sabrina Carpenter: emails i can’t send Tour happens on July 18 and 19 at Marina Bay Sands Expo® and Convention Centre, Level B2, Hall E & F . All tickets cost SGD98.
September 2023
TWICE Ready To Be Tour in Singapore – September 2
Billboard recently awarded TWICE the Breakthrough Award at Billboard Women In Music Awards. Thus, this honour cements them as an influential global group. The nine-member act will celebrate their eighth year in the industry in October and what better way than to hold a world tour?
Their Ready To Be tour will make a stop in Singapore to belt out their juggernaut hits like ‘Fancy’, ‘Feel Special’, and their latest single, ‘Set Me Free’. Although the group kicked off their fifth world tour in mid-April 2023 in Seoul, expect their setlist to vary with the different stops as they may release new music later this year.
TWICE Ready To Be Tour in Singapore happens at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 2. Ticketing details TBC.
ATEEZ Wold Tour [The Fellowship : Break the Wall] in Singapore – September 9
After completing North America, Japan, and Europe leg of The Fellowship : Break the Wall tour, ATEEZ is now ready to take on Asia later this year. Video snippets of the concert circulating on social media demonstrate that the eight-member group’s sharp moves and stellar vocals will keep one at the edge of their seats.
This concert supports ATEEZ’s recent first single album Spin Off : From The Witness which contains lead single ‘Halazia’. In a cryptic teaser after their encore Seoul concert, the group is rumoured to make a comeback in June and songs from this project will most likely appear in the Asia tour setlist.
ATEEZ Wold Tour [The Fellowship : Break the Wall] happens at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 9. Ticketing details TBC.
November 2023
Måneskin RUSH! 2023 World Tour – November 27
Ready for some high-octane head-banging rock songs? We can trust Italian rock band Måneskin to deliver them. Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 GRAMMY awards, the exuberant quartet will bring their RUSH! World Tour to Singapore in support of their latest album of the same name.
Formed in Rome in 2016, they have since gained attention and risen to fame via the eleventh season of the X Factor Italy in 2017 where they finished second place. Following this, Måneskin reached new heights and broke through the international scene happened in 2021 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest for Italy with the song ‘Zitti e buoni’. With many sold-out shows, expect a non-stop energetic performance fueled by dynamic songs like ‘Supermodel’ and ‘The Loneliest’.
Måneskin RUSH! 2023 World Tour happens at Singapore Expo Hall 1 on November 27. Tickets are priced at SGD158.
December 2023
Mosaic Music Series: Novo Amor – December 11-12
After countless postponements and the eventual cancellation of his concert due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, Novo Amor fulfils his promise to return to Singapore for his long-awaited live gig.
The Welsh singer-songwriter, aka Ali Lacey, will perform as part of Esplanade Singapore’s Mosaic Music Series and is set to present beautiful soundscapes with his soulful tones and emotional minimalist lyrics. Lacey will perform with frequent collaborator Ed Tullett and backed by a full band featuring strings, keys, guitars and drums.
Mosaic Music Series: Novo Amor happens at Esplanade Annexe Studio on December 11-12. Tickets are priced at SGD65.
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(Opening and feature image credit: BLACKPINK/YG Entertainment and The 1975/Samuel Bradley)
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore
