Rocking out for a good cause

By Jamie Lee

The non-stop drizzle that hovered over the two day festival did nothing to dampen the spirits of the crowd that was decked out in raincoats or holding on to umbrellas. It was my first time at IGNITE!, Republic Polytechnic's annual music festival, and I could feel the buzz of excitement in the air as the event unfolded smoothly.

This year, IGNITE! showcased some of the biggest breakthroughs this year in the local music scene, bringing in a total of thirteen different acts over the two days. Some of my personal favourites were award winning local bands such as Monochrome and Plain Sunset. Other performances that stand out include acts from Replug and Jammerz Arena, Republic Poly's own talent.

Mud on shoes and rain in hair

I felt that not only did IGNITE! bring us talented musicians this year, they also brought us creativity and passion. Other than the usual guitar and drums ensemble, many artists performed with quirky and unique gadgets that created soulful music. With each performance, I could really feel the artist's emotion and feelings that they were trying to express and convey to the audience.

This year's fest catered to all sorts of people with all sorts of musical tastes. The crowd were thoroughly entertained by the different genres of music, ranging from indie to experimental and even metal. With mud on our shoes and rain in our hair, we warmly welcomed each band unto the stage with our hands in the air. The total turnout over both days reached a whopping total of 6,000 people!

Uniting for a good cause

IGNITE! was not all about the music, but it also had a cause behind it. The "Ignite Village", which surrounded the stage, promoted different causes with each booth. The Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF) and Operation: Smile were a few of the many causes that were present at the event, selling popcorn, candy floss and handmade items to raise money and awareness on the less fortunate. I thought this was a great idea, after all, what better way to educate youths than at a youth music festival?

IGNITE! 2010 was a success, despite the gloomy weather. It was amazing to see such a vast variety of bands live, and having free admission at that. I am definitely looking forward to IGNITE 2011!

The writer is a first year student from Republic Polytechnic, Diploma in Communication and Information Design.