ZoukOut Singapore 10th Dec 2005

"It is here again laaaa!!..."



The now annual festival of dance music returns for its fifth installation.

This year, ZoukOut will continue to stamp its authority on Siloso Beach, Sentosa. Zouk always manages to outdo itself year after year, and expectations are sky-high this time round. It is the time of the year, again.

Since its inauguration in 2000, ZoukOut has been singled out as the superlative event for big-name DJs to perform in this part of the world. It is also the day where the most discerning of clubbers congregate in one gargantuan party to celebrate dance music. Earlier this year, Zouk moved its outdoor party up north to Genting Highlands, in what was a pilot project in conjunction with Zouk Kuala Lumpur. And what an astounding success it has been. ZoukFest 2005 at Genting Highlands was simply sublime.

There is a new kid on the block in the club scene this year, a foreign kid named Ministry of Sound. The European club will announce its arrival with cannons blazing at a transformed Clarke Quay. In what is supposedly “the biggest MoS establishment worldwide”, the 40,000 square foot “superclub” with its frills will have only one thing in mind – to dethrone the imperious Zouk club. Furthermore, while still inchoate, it is official that Supperclub, the über cool and ultra modern venue, is soon to be opening its doors on our sunny island.

These foreign big names with even bigger reputations loom, and the onus is now on Zouk to pull something out of its proverbial bag to fend off what is going to be extremely stiff competition.
But ZoukOut will always have a special place in our hearts. The carnivalesque setup; the cacophony of dance music; the hordes of sweaty bodies in minimal attires; the humid weather; the pristine beaches of Sentosa; this is an event we can call our very own.

One can only expect the event to be another glorious affair in its fifth year running; a constant effulgence of all-encompassing sensory indulgence; an energetic celebration of life, as dance music segues throughout the night into day.

With the impending rivalry presented by the imminent big boys of the club market, the Zouk star will, in my opinion, continue to shine ever so brilliantly. What we can be certain of now, is that with the entrance of new players in the field, Zouk will most definitely up their game, and demonstrate to us why it is indeed a world class club.

ZoukOut will be staged at the newly upgraded Siloso Beach on Sentosa; where it was first held in 2000. For 12 hours from dusk till dawn (8pm – 8am); ZoukOut will transform the sandy landscape into a magical clubland with four stages featuring a broad spectrum of genres including house, tribal, progressive, techno, trance, electro, indie, hip hop and of course the very popular Mambo Jambo.

This year’s blockbuster line up features some of the biggest artists in the ever-growing field of electronic dance music today, including World Number #3 DJ Armin Van Buuren; Way Out West’s Nick Warren; Techno Wizard Sven Väth; Tribal house heroes Chus & Ceballos; House legend Lil’ Louie Vega of Masters At Work; Chart topping hit-maker Martin Solveig; Peter Kruder of Kruder and Dorfmeister fame, Stephane Pompougnac of the best-selling Hotel Costes CD series and pioneer of Hip Hop turntablism Cash Money. And in line with the healthy resurgence of alternative live music, ZoukOut hosts a live stage featuring local favourites like chart-topping Electrico & scene veterans Concave Scream, both with brand new material from their upcoming new albums; riot-rockin Ronin; the clown- rock jamboree that is Tiramisu; and new outfit, Slowjaxx Does Dallas made up of members from Stoned Revivals, Force Vomit and Moods.

Design collective Lichtfront VJ’s from Cologne Germany, will be responsible for the synchronized live visuals, their singular pursuit being the interpretation of sounds directly through images, reacting to the rhythms and feel of the music.

In addition to the stellar lineup of A-list foreign and local acts, there will be non-stop entertainment with free carnival rides, interactive action games, quirky palm & card readings, live art demonstrations, all amidst a plethora of 'out of this world' dancers and performers.

There will also be the return of ZoukOut’s partnership with the global festival of innovative moving image, RESFEST, for an exclusive screening of 90-minutes of the freshest cuts from this year’s stellar selection of features, short-films, motion graphics, animation and music videos from around the world as well as previously unscreened material.

And when it all seems too hectic, rejuvenating massages, make up and other goodies will be available to keep clubbers looking pristine at the coastline.

Cultural and language barriers aside, ZoukOut is THE dance festival that truly brings clubbers from all of Asia together under the common denominator of a feel-good, exuberant experience. It is this dynamism that has made ZoukOut the 'MUST GO' dance festival for tens of thousands of music fans from all over the region.

Singapore Ticketing Information:
**Sg$28 Advance Happy Hour ticket - entry to venue before 9pm only. Strictly limited to 2000 tickets, to be purchased at Zouk Singapore only.
Sg$38 - until 9 December
Sg$48 - At the venue
A 10% discount will be given for tickets purchased with any Citibank card.

Tickets are available from Fri 21st October from the Zouk ticketing booth or through phone bookings. All major credit cards accepted, call 65-67382988 or fax 65-67383988 (office hours tues–sat 10am – 3am)

Advance tickets are also available at http://www.sistic.com.sg/ all SISTIC authorized agents, SISTIC Hotline: 65-63485555, and at HMV Heeren 65-67331822 and Citilink 65-62387128
Minimum age of entry 18, photo ID required to gain entry.

Note: The entire Zouk complex will be closed on this night.*This is a rain or shine event. Swimming is strictly prohibited during the entire event. Lineup may be subject to change.
More information on the event available at www.zoukout.com
Check regularly for updates.

Contributed by Ben from DanceMuzik & Zouk Singapore.