Major changes are coming to Singapore's beloved den of subculture — The Substation. The art centre's new artistic director Alan Oei is now at the helm, and he wants to transform the establishment into a respectable "research and development space".
Artist residency programmes, exhibitions and a stricter focus on the arts are being lined up in Oei's vision for The Substation — but that vision isn't exactly being shared by many in the music scene.
The Substation has always been the steadfast, go-to venue for live music for years, a non-prejudiced space for hosting all sorts gigs — whether big or small, international artists or local newbies. It's a place where punks, metalheads, hipsters and sonic experimentalists can call home.