There have been all manner of live entertainment offerings at the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix since 2008, but what we witnessed at the Padang stage on the first night of this year's race was unprecedented. 

On 15 September, 88rising descended upon the largest performance venue within the Marina Bay Street Circuit, transforming it into the setting of what was essentially the first-ever Singapore edition of its popular Head in the Clouds festival series. 

Titled 88rising Presents, the American media company's takeover of the Padang stage put the spotlight on some of the most exciting Asian names from the music scene. Included in the contingent that made history as the first collective to perform at the venue were Jackson Wang, Rich Brian, NIKI, XG, ATARASHII GAKKO!, BIBI, MILLI, Warren Hue, and Spence Lee (who made a guest appearance). 

As different languages and cultures from Asia converged, 88rising Presents became a grand celebration of the region's diversity and uniqueness.

Here is a recap of everything that happened at the 88rising Presents showcase.

WE LEARNT ABOUT STYLE FROM WARREN HUE

Tasked with kicking off the 88rising Presents showcase was Indonesian rapper Warren Hue, who was quick to get the crowd at the Padang warmed up with songs such as 'Candy Choppa', 'RUNAWAY W ME', and 'omomo punk'. 

Showing up in a black top, baggy pants, and a red-and-black jacket, the 21-year-old looked effortlessly stylish while delivering each of his lines with a dose of youthful energy. 

When asked about how fashion influences his music and vice versa before his performance, Warren told Bandwagon: "I think fashion is very important, not only to what I'm doing as a musician, but also to my family. My dad works in the cotton industry. My mom has been a very big fashion fan for a long time. She would dress me up when I was young. Even when I was 13 or 14, she would still pick stuff for me."

"I think [fashion and music] go very hand-in-hand. Yeah, they're both arts that I really enjoy at the moment. Just watching all the rappers online — some of my favourite rappers wearing some cool shit — and I'm a big fan, so I want to look like them. I kind of started that way. But yeah, my biggest inspiration I'd say is my mom," he continued.

In the absence of dancers and elaborate set design and visual effects, Warren's music alone was enough to compel a number of concert-goers to throw their arms in the air and wave them to the beat. Despite sharing that he would still get "nervous" and was "still in the process of getting used to [performing at large festivals]", Warren looked perfectly comfortable as he entertained and enjoyed the company of the Singapore crowd. 

WE STOOD IN AWE OF MILLI

For MILLI, the sole Thai artist in the 88rising contingent, being stopped for a photo by a fan in Singapore was something unexpected. She recounted to Bandwagon: "I was like, 'Oh my god, somebody knows me here.' I just hope that they (concert-goers) enjoy [my show]."

But while the rapper was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception she received ahead of her show, she knew that there were still many others to whom she'd yet to introduce herself.

"If you don't know me, it's fine because I'm going to let you know me," she said.

A day later, the 20-year-old emerged on stage, all ready to deliver on that promise. With confidence written all over her face, MILLI fired up those in attendance with her impeccable flows and sassy dancing as she performed 'สาธุ (SAA-TUU)', 'MIRROR MIRROR', 'Mango Sticky Rice', and more. 

During a performance that proved that language barriers can easily be knocked down with music, MILLI also took on a secondary role as a zestful ambassador of Thai culture, introducing her audience to the beauty of her language and even getting them to join her in doing the wai gesture during 'สาธุ (SAA-TUU)'.

When asked what made Thai artists unique, MILLI explained:"[For] Thai hip-hop, We would put some culture into [our] songs all the time, and when we don't want to put it in, we can express it through how we speak, how we pronounce, how we talk about topics, or something like that. It's super Thai for some [kinds of] content. I think that is what makes Thai artists unique. They're really good."

WE HAD A DANCE PARTY WITH XG

Wearing smiles as radiant as their yellow costumes, Japanese girl group XG kicked off the evening's second wave of performances to high-pitched and low-pitched cheers from excited fans. Opening their set with 'MASCARA', Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Juria, Cocona, Maya, and Harvey's execution of the 2022 track's choreography was fluid, lively, and mesmerising.

Having captured the attention of the crowd, the seven-piece outfit kept the dance party that they had started going with live renditions of tunes such as 'SHOOTING STAR' and 'LEFT RIGHT'. This was a group that clearly enjoyed being on stage, and the joy that they displayed while entertaining those who'd come to see them was contagious, as shown by the ecstatic bouncing and dancing of fans.

During breaks between songs, the bubbly members of XG drew cheers and screams as they waved, blew kisses, and made heart-shaped gestures at fans and thanked them for their warm welcome. 

"We always wanted to visit here, and we're so grateful to perform on this stage in front of you all. Thank you so much," Jurin said to the Padang crowd. 

WE WENT BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ATARASHII GAKKO!

There were two camps of people present for ATARASHII GAKKO!'s set — those who knew exactly what they would get and those who had absolutely no idea what they'd signed up for. For those belonging to the first group, the set was a reminder of why they fell in love with the Japanese act. And for the second, it was an introduction that they would never forget. 

Following the sound of a school bell that whisked concert-goers back to their days as students, the school uniform-clad Japanese quartet began their segment of 88rising Presents with a quirky performance of '最終人類(Final Humanity)'. The amusing sight of Suzuka delivering her lines while perched on the shoulders of Kanon was a uniquely ATARASHII GAKKO! one that set the tone for the rest of the group's set. 

Whether they were moving their heads from side to side while dancing to a catchy disco remix of their viral hit 'OTONABLUE' or setting the stage ablaze with a fiery F1 remix of 'Pineapple Kryptonite', ATARASHII GAKKO! showed everyone that there is much joy and liberation to be found when you do not take yourself too seriously. 

"This is [our] first time performing in Singapore, and we would really like to pass on the Japanese culture to the Singapore audience. And in order to do that, as representatives of all the Japanese youth, we would like to show our energy to the Singapore audience," Suzuka told Bandwagon ahead of the group's 88rising Presents appearance.

Making ATARASHII GAKKO!'s set even more memorable was the strong chemistry between Mizyu, Rin, Suzuka, and Kanon, which gave us an idea of what the off-stage relationship between the four was like. 

"We started our activities when we were very small, from junior/secondary school/high school, therefore, we are like a family or longtime friends. We have overcome lots of challenges over the years, so we're not only performers, but also a family," said Rin.

WE PLAYED A DANGEROUS GAME WITH BIBI

There were two completely different sides of BIBI that the crowd at the Padang got to see. Firstly, there was the BIBI that won concert-goers over with her sweet demeanour as she joked about not being able to drive while talking about 'MotoSpeed 24' and sheepishly apologised for accidentally saying "bad b****" while introducing 'BIBI Vengeance'.

Then there was the femme fatale that was unleashed whenever music came on. From making sizzling eye contact with the crowd to "kicking" one of her dances and grabbing him by the hair, everything that this BIBI did caused the crowd to fall deeper under her spell. She may have had danger written all over her, but no one watching seemed to mind at all.

Arguably the best demonstration of BIBI's magnetism came during the South Korean vocalist's performance of her 2020 track 'KAZINO'. During the number's chorus, the 24-year-old drew loud cheers from her entranced audience just by standing still with her head tilted and an intense expression on her face. 

WE WERE INSPIRED BY RICH BRIAN

As flames shot out of the pyrotechnic machines in front of him, an impassioned Rich Brian jumped and waved his arm as he unleashed a remix of 'Slow Down Turbo' on the crowd. With each line he delivered packing a serious punch and each movement of his body being made with much assertiveness, the Indonesian rapper delivered a fiery spectacle that set the Padang stage ablaze.

Anyone who witnessed what he did would probably find it very difficult to believe that Rich Brian was once someone who would listen to the music of 2 Chainz, Macklemore, Childish Gambino, and more in the hopes of improving his command of the English language. The artist that Singapore got to see was one who had come a very long way from those days and was now in a position to do for others what his musical heroes did for him.

When asked about his music's impact on others, Rich Brian told Bandwagon: "I think about, you know, inspiring people through my music, but I never really think about the English part. I actually do get messages sometimes of people rapping to my songs — like Indonesian people rapping to my songs — and I'm like, ‘That's crazy because I used to do that with other rappers.'"

He continued: "Indonesian people love rapping along to my songs because it's their chance to kind of learn how to rap quickly and like pronounce things quickly. Because I used to do that for fun, it feels great. It feels amazing to make these songs not only to listen to, but also improve someone else's English. It’s really cool."

During his set, the 24-year-old, who remarked to the audience that the Padang was probably "probably the biggest stage [he'd] done in [his] life", appeared to be basking in his moment of glory as he performed tunes such as 'VIVID' and 'Glow Like Dat' to a pumped up crowd. He also slowed things down for an intimate performance of 'Drive Safe' that tugged on the heartstrings of all present.

WE SANG OUR HEARTS OUT WITH NIKI

Credit: Natt Lim

The night's penultimate act was one that the Padang crowd needed no introduction to. Joined by her touring band, NIKI emerged on stage, singing her opening number 'Keeping Tabs' following an explosion of streamers. As soon as the Indonesian singer-songwriter completed the song's first line, "you left without saying goodbye", fans quickly jumped in to scream out "f***, f***, f***". And just like that, the Padang became the setting of a NIKI-themed and NIKI-led karaoke party.

From 'lowkey' to 'High School in Jakarta', there was not a song on the 24-year-old's setlist that fans in attendance were not familiar with, and every time NIKI pointed her microphone in their direction, they were ready to belt out the lyrics to the songs as if they were their own. While leading the crowd in a memorable singalong session, NIKI, also playfully flipped her hair, did a body roll, and pointed at the crowd, drawing excited cheers in response.

Credit: Natt Lim

One thing we've learnt about NIKI from her 88rising Presents set is that whether she is performing in an intimate concert hall or at a large festival, you can count on her to win over thousands of hearts with her relatable and timeless stories. 

WE RECEIVED A MASTERCLASS IN SHOWMANSHIP FROM JACKSON WANG

There are some people on this planet that you know were born to be on stage, and Jackson Wang is one of them. Sporting heavy, Joker-esque eye shadow and locks that were half blonde and half black, the Hong Kong-born multihyphenate looked like he had leapt right out of a theatrical production when he emerged in front of thousands of fans.

"Singapore are you ready? You've waited long enough. I love you," he said to fans who had gathered to see him.

Executing each dance move with satisfying precision and channelling the smoothness of a certain pop superstar (who also had "Jackson" in his name) as he glided on stage, Wang showed the crowd what true showmanship was as he performed tracks such as '100 Ways',  'Blow', 'Cheetah', and more. While they were no doubt stylish to look at, what was even more impressive about Wang's dance displays was how they served as a means of extending the stories and emotions conveyed through his lyrics (often dramatically).

If there were any doubts about Wang's commitment to giving his audience nothing short of a showstopping performance whenever he is on stage, his sweat-covered face and heavy breaths into his microphone between songs put them all to bed. The man before them was unlike any other, and the Singapore crowd knew it.

WE WERE TREATED TO FUN LINK-UPS

88rising has been known to bring its acts together for memorable collaborations, and the crowd in Singapore was treated to a few live versions of them during 88rising Presents' closing medley.

Following the collective's up-and-coming hip-hop act Spence Lee introduced himself with his single 'Arriba', BIBI and MILLI re-emerged to usher in the weekend with a merry remix of the former's 'The Weekend'. After ATARASHII GAKKO! returned for an encore performance of 'Otonablue', the audience got to witness an Indonesian link-up between Warren Hue and Rich Brian, who kept the party going with 'Getcho Mans'. The two were then joined by Wang for 'California', an apt final song considering its opening line declares, "这是88rising (This is 88rising)".

Credit: Singapore GP Pte Ltd