Passing - Leslie Low in Concert for The Substation’s 35th Year

The Substation presents one of Singapore’s most prolific singer-songwriters Leslie Low in a solo concert, as part of its Gathering Ground 2025 anniversary series.

“Leslie Low's songs are like love letters to Singapore,” says Yuni Hadi, Co-chairperson of The Substation, “and this concert, in a way, is our love letter to the artist and community.”

“In our 35th year, The Substation continues to hold space—for fresh perspectives, for shaping culture, and for strengthening our shared identity. Spotlighting an artist like Leslie, whose poetic and powerful songs can captivate hearts to silence, allows us to gather in this space; the way I first experienced his music 20 years ago at a Substation event.”

Join us for a double celebration of The Substation’s 35th anniversary as an independent arts development platform and Leslie Low’s 35 years in music. Passing is a lyrical and sonic journey through Low’s indie-pop and soft rock reflections as an artist growing up, living in, and experiencing Singapore.

Reaching back to his first album A Walking Purgatory in (1999) up until his latest effort, Chimera (2024), Low has handpicked personal favourites from his solo repertoire, including a previously unreleased track, for this special 80-minute show – performed by Leslie Low on guitar, with guest musicians, Sean Lam (Concave Scream, Hanging Up the Moon) and Alexius Cai (Piblokto).

Audiences can expect an intimate evening of heartfelt songs, stripped down to the pure sound, poignant lyricism, and evocative emotions behind Leslie Low the artist.

The concert follows a series of recent collaborations by The Substation to celebrate the music of Singapore artists, many of whom began their formative years at the old Substation Garden or Guinness Theatre—including Leslie Low as then frontman of 90s bands Humpback Oak and The Observatory.

About Passing and Leslie’s music

The title, Passing, is ambiguous but reflective of the mindset behind Leslie Low’s songwriting – with lyrics open to interpretation, inviting the listener to tap into their own set of lived experiences and emotions. By baring the soul, Low hopes to find common ground with the listener.

The common thread is essentially the story of growing up. Like journals, Low’s songs document life through the years – from a place of naivety and innocence through the realities of adulthood, and beyond into the years of stasis during pandemics, to losing one’s job and recovering from it. All of these against the backdrop of an ever-changing Singapore horizon-scape. His songs conjure a feeling of ‘the Singapore experience’ not often talked about or presented in mainstream media, yet is a feeling that is intimately known and deeply relatable in the collective consciousness.

Depending on which album or period, Low’s lyrics can be conversational like in Blood Red Pale White (2021), or as in Worm (2006), seemingly inconsequential and simplistic but dressed up to obscure a deeper meaning. But always, there is an emotional quality behind the words and introverted presentation that define most of Leslie Low’s music.

CONCERT DETAILS

Sunday, 10 August 2025

5.00pm (Duration: 80min)

Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

Admission
$35 Standard - Early Bird (until 1 Aug, 12noon)
$40 Standard (starts 1 August, 12noon)
$50 Premium - limited quantity with anniversary exclusives!