Baybeats celebrates its 25th edition this 2026.
The Baybeats festival will be running for 3 September to 6 September, with promising local acts and international stars.
The Baybeats festival will be held at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
The largest free genre-bending music festival in Singapore is returning this September with a star-studded international lineup.
Baybeats returns this September to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, bringing together a selection of homegrown and regional acts for performances spanning everything from hard-hitting screamo and alternative rock to ambient dream-pop. Now in its 25th edition, admission to the festival remains free.
Since its debut in 2002, Baybeats has always been more than just a music event. For festival goers, it is a celebration of Singapore’s diverse music community, and an opportunity to discover fresh new sounds without bearing the cost of a pricey ticket. For its performers, Baybeats offers the potential of unexpected collaborations, and is a platform to grow fans amongst new audiences.
This year at Baybeats, a selection of Singapore’s most promising musicians have been tapped for specially commissioned acts that expand the repertoire of their genre. Leading the way is the hardcore punk band Naedr, who will be performing alongside the acoustic ensemble The Midheaven String Collective. Kin Leonn, a musician best known for his atmospheric soundscapes, will also be tagging up with the live band pureblue Ensemble for an exclusive showcase.
Beyond Singapore’s shores, Baybeats will be presenting a lineup of established international performers at the festival. This includes the renowned Japanese underground rock trio Boris, Korean indie powerhouse HOA, Indonesia’s psychedelic quintet THE SIGIT, the French punk outfit Treaks, and more.
Outside of the main stages at Baybeats, the festival is also introducing BACKLINES — a programme series that allows audiences to get up close to the musicians at intimate live sessions and dialogues on the relationship between community spaces and the music scene. A marketplace by the Singapore collective Gas Attack will be on the festival grounds peddling secondhand gear during Baybeats’ run too.
“It’s never just been about putting great bands on stage. It’s about backing artists before anyone else does, giving them the freedom to try something different and creating a safe space for independent music to thrive,” shares Hydhir Ramli, the programmer of The Esplanade Co Ltd. “The festival has also always been about more than what happens on stage, it is equally about the shared stories and discoveries among our community of artists and audiences.”
Registration to attend the Baybeats performances at the Annexe; Esplanade Annexe Studio, and Powerhouse²; Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade, main stages, will be open from 20 August for Esplanade&Me members, and 31 August for non-members. Signing up for the Esplanade&Me membership is free.
Where: Baybeats, Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay, Downtown, Singapore
When: From 3 September to 6 September 2026
Contact: www.esplanade.com