Local music advocates invade NUS
53A performing for Day 1 of School Invasion Tour at NUS.
BREAKING STORY by Deon Toh
16 September 2011
To help promote local music, four Singaporean music acts performed original compositions to students during a 2-day concert at the National University of Singapore. This inaugural event was held at the NUS Central Forum between 12:00 – 2:00p.m on both Sept. 12 and 13, 2011.
Organised by Invasion Online Pte Ltd, the tour continued promoting local music through schools, with over 400 students watching Sixx, Inch Chua, 53A and A Vacant Affair.
Invasion Online’s Managing Director Syed Hyder said that the tour was part of a “promotional strategy for local musicians”. The idea is to expose students to local music while boosting artists’ merchandise sales.
Although his company has a sound business plan, Hyder replied that majority of profits are invested back into the tour where they “promise sponsors 10 shows but end up doing 25.”
This selflessness is in line with the company’s commitment in promoting local music. Yet, despite a low profit margin, they do not compromise on the quality of acts.
“For School Invasion tour, what we really want [to do] is [to] show students that there are really good musicians here – if you guys [want to] pick up music as a hobby, which could turn into a potential career, this is something you can really take a look at,” stressed Hyder.
Hyder believes that only quality acts can instill confidence in our local music scene. Evidently, third-year student Han Tingyan, was “extremely impressed” by the performances and he “will now listen to more local music and research about the bands online.”
Invasion Online’s previous success with junior college students, who subsequently entered university, propelled the company to host the tour in NUS. Similarly, Hyder hopes students will carry their love for local music into their work lives as future policy makers and leaders of Singapore. Alternatively, students may even enter the music industry.
Despite the recent controversy involving Dick Lee leaving local bands out of SingaPOP!, SIT’s program has been successful with government boards joining their cause. The Speak Good English Movement and Singapore Kindness Movement have started to collaborate with the tour, providing more media coverage and funds to prolong it.
With growing governmental support and a thriving fan base, Invasion Online’s efforts are gradually paying off, promising a brighter future for Singapore’s music scene.
16 September 2011
To help promote local music, four Singaporean music acts performed original compositions to students during a 2-day concert at the National University of Singapore. This inaugural event was held at the NUS Central Forum between 12:00 – 2:00p.m on both Sept. 12 and 13, 2011.
Organised by Invasion Online Pte Ltd, the tour continued promoting local music through schools, with over 400 students watching Sixx, Inch Chua, 53A and A Vacant Affair.
Invasion Online’s Managing Director Syed Hyder said that the tour was part of a “promotional strategy for local musicians”. The idea is to expose students to local music while boosting artists’ merchandise sales.
Although his company has a sound business plan, Hyder replied that majority of profits are invested back into the tour where they “promise sponsors 10 shows but end up doing 25.”
This selflessness is in line with the company’s commitment in promoting local music. Yet, despite a low profit margin, they do not compromise on the quality of acts.
“For School Invasion tour, what we really want [to do] is [to] show students that there are really good musicians here – if you guys [want to] pick up music as a hobby, which could turn into a potential career, this is something you can really take a look at,” stressed Hyder.
Hyder believes that only quality acts can instill confidence in our local music scene. Evidently, third-year student Han Tingyan, was “extremely impressed” by the performances and he “will now listen to more local music and research about the bands online.”
Invasion Online’s previous success with junior college students, who subsequently entered university, propelled the company to host the tour in NUS. Similarly, Hyder hopes students will carry their love for local music into their work lives as future policy makers and leaders of Singapore. Alternatively, students may even enter the music industry.
Despite the recent controversy involving Dick Lee leaving local bands out of SingaPOP!, SIT’s program has been successful with government boards joining their cause. The Speak Good English Movement and Singapore Kindness Movement have started to collaborate with the tour, providing more media coverage and funds to prolong it.
With growing governmental support and a thriving fan base, Invasion Online’s efforts are gradually paying off, promising a brighter future for Singapore’s music scene.
About School Invasion Tour:
School Invasion Tour is an initiative by Invasion Online Pte Ltd. Founded in 2008 by Managing Director Syed Hyder, School Invasion Tour has to date performed in over 60 Singapore schools. The tour aims to expose students to local music and cultivate young performers as well. Students get the opportunity to interact with local musicians to find out more about their careers – potentially opening new doors to alternative jobs. Artists that have performed on the tour include:
1. Inch Chua
2. 53A
3. Sixx
4. A Vacant Affair
5. Natalie Hiong
6. West Grand Boulevard
7. For This Cycle
8. The Firefight
9. Caracal
10. Syltra Lee
11. Vanessa Faith
12. Plainsunset
13. Electrico
14. B-Quartet
And many others...