Top five music acts of the upcoming F1 Grand Prix
M picks the top five music acts to thrill non-race fans at next week's S'pore GP
Even if you are not a fan of the high-octane track action at next week's Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, the three-day entertainment line-up looks captivating enough to draw non-racing enthusiasts.
There's something for retro fans (disco funk legends KC and the Sunshine Band), hipsters (British alt-rockers Bastille) and anyone who is into local music (Gentle Bones, Charlie Lim & The Mothership, Take Two).
But who are we kidding? Most of the crowd will be there for these five acts. M looks at why they are so hot...
QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT
Sept 17, 10.30pm, Zone 4 Padang Stage
What to expect: When Britain's iconic rock outfit joins forces with the most flamboyant singer in American Idol history, expect an energetic live set with massive singalongs of classic tunes like I Want To Break Free, Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are The Champions.
Ever since Lambert started touring officially with Queen in 2014, they have played to huge crowds at Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Bulgaria (29,000 people) and the Rock in Rio Lisbon festival in Portugal (74,000 people).
Who their target audience is: Classic rock lovers, impersonators and cosplayers of Queen's late frontman Freddie Mercury, American Idol fans.
Why they're hot: The best part about the Queen-Lambert collaboration is how the 34-year-old US singerhas breathed new life into the group's catalogue of old songs, making them sound refreshing again. One thing's for sure, Lambert is far from being a mere Mercury imitator.
IMAGINE DRAGONS
Sept 18, 10.30pm, Zone 4 Padang Stage
What to expect: Las Vegas quartet Imagine Dragons are not labelled "arena rockers" for nothing. Almost all their tracks like Shots, It's Time, I Bet My Life, Demons and Radioactive are delivered in their trademark anthemic, stadium-rock style - perfect for epic singalongs.
Who their target audience is: Yuppies, and mainstream radio listeners who enjoy a little edge, but not too much.
Why they're hot: There's no denying that frontman Dan Reynolds has one of the most powerful voices in rock music. The 29-year-old, who has openly spoken about his battle with depression, sings with raw, guttural emotion.
KYLIE MINOGUE
Sept 16, 11.15pm, Zone 4 Padang Stage
What to expect: The ageless 48-year-old diva is Australia's most beloved pop queen and one of the world's sexiest women. Her concerts are typically slick, sexed-up affairs, full of camp, kitsch and theatrics. Definitely on the agenda: sequined costumes and provocative dance moves.
Who her target audience is: Those born in the 80s, Zouk's Mambo Jambo regulars, fans of Aussie soap Neighbours, and the LGBT community.
Why she's hot: Minogue's pop-dance tracks have a timeless quality, whether it's her earlier material like Locomotion and I Should Be So Lucky, or later hits like Spinning Around, On A Night Like This and Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
HALSEY
Sept 18, 6.40pm, Zone 4 Padang Stage
What to expect: The 21-year-old US singer-songwriter speaks to all rebellious misfits out there with her cool, nonchalant image and dark, brooding tunes such as New Americana, Castle and Colors. At their core, Halsey's songs deal with the constant questioning of one's identity.
Who her target audience is: Emo teens, young goths, hipsters in skinny jeans.
Why she's hot: Halsey is fantastic when it comes to duets. She has sung with Justin Bieber and Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. Last month, she lit up the MTV Video Music Awards stage with DJ duo The Chainsmokers, delivering a sensual performance of Closer, thanks to her sizzling chemistry with them.
PENTATONIX
Sept 17, 8pm, Zone 4 Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, and Sept 18, 6.40pm, Zone 1 Village Stage
What to expect: The Grammy-winning Texan a cappella quintet made a name for themselves with impressive covers of Royals (Lorde), Happy (Pharrell Williams) and Radioactive (Imagine Dragons). They're great with Christmas carols too, but we don't know if it's too early for them to break out into Winter Wonderland when it's only September.
Who their target audience is: Families, Pitch Perfect fans, choir and glee club members.
Why they're hot: A cappella groups producing original material were a rarity before Pentatonix came along. They broke that glass ceiling when their debut album of mostly original-penned tracks topped the Billboard charts last year.
FYI
What: Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix
When: Sept 16 to 18
Where: Marina Bay Street Circuit
Tickets: Available from tickets.singaporegp.sg
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