In pictures: A night of immersive spaces, sounds & sights in a Singapore power station

One of Singapore’s most renowned heritage sites Pasir Panjang Power Station was recently transformed into sessions—a one-of-a-kind immersive experience unlike most we’ve seen in Asia.

Set within a sprawling 5,000-capacity industrial warehouse, the space was divided into unique zones, each offering something new to get lost in. An extensive cocktail bar, independent market stalls, boutique bookstores, charcoal burgers, tarot card readings, and even a board game corner all provided the serene and captivating backdrop to the masterclass in music.

Where else can you dance to cutting-edge ambient, learn your future, dive into a world-class burger, and unwind on beanbags with board games whilst listening to artistic legends Kiasmos and some of Singapore’s finest, all whilst enveloped in this industrial mammoth?

Although it wasn’t only about the music, the music and sound design were a key part of the experience.

Though only four acts performed, the four distinct stages were crafted with immense intention and detail. Each stage setup harnessed a different aspect of the venue’s massive scale and industrial charm, making one-of-a-kind performance spaces tailor-made for each artist.

The centrepiece was an in-the-round setup, ambient and tranquil, with lounge seating arranged to invite listeners to sink into the sound on a variety of seating options. Just beside it was the second, more classic stage setup, seamlessly woven into the venue’s layout.

The main stage was a stunner, showcasing Kiasmos under a canopy of lights that highlighted the venue’s colossal scale. Despite the industrial roots and vastness of the space, the sound quality was surprisingly spot-on. Not sure how the sound engineers managed to pull off this miraculous feat, but hats off to them.

The three other artists on the bill brought a vibrant and welcome contrast to the headliners, delivering sets that were equally captivating in their own right, each in their own sonic palette.

Ambient icon Kin Leonn reshaped the atmosphere with immersive soundscapes and field recordings, while Mervin Wong debuted his latest mind-bending work. Fauxe melded styles and sonics so effortlessly, and each performance felt uniquely distinct yet harmonised effortlessly with the venue, space and overall surroundings.

The tone shifted non-stop throughout the evening but never felt whiplash-inducing; a hard feat to pull off. Although all the music, pop-ups and stylings were separate, the night felt cohesive, curated expertly by 19sixtyfive and those behind the scenes at the power plant.

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Everything throughout the night had its place and felt intentional, expertly woven and interlinking with everything else resulting in an ecosystem that felt contained, leaving us eager for more and more from the space next year.

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The transformation of the space is nothing short of remarkable—every corner is alive with intricate accents and thoughtful flourishes, creating a sensory playground that feels both grand and intimate. The vastness of the space takes you out, but you’re levelled and brought back to the present with the immersiveness. Every detail is meticulously crafted, turning the vast expanse into an immersive, visual feast that leaves no part of the venue untouched.

As the debut, and hopefully first of many in the sessions series, this opening night has already set a new benchmark for the space, Singapore and arguably Asia. If future editions can build on this momentum, sessions is primed to become a mainstay in Singapore’s nightlife and culture scene.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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