Jazz Cats, Stage Acts & Turning 60 at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

As the second half of 2025 unfolds, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay presents a vibrant line-up of programmes commemorating Singapore’s 60th year of independence, spotlighting creative milestones and global artistic exchanges. Its long-running festival celebrating jazz in its myriad forms also returns, alongside a compelling theatre season.

 

We found 60 Connections (Jan – Dec 2025)

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), Esplanade presents 60 Connections – At Home and Afar, a year-long season that highlights the artistic relationships and landmark works shaped by the national performing arts centre. Featuring 60 live and digital productions, the season showcases stories from Singapore alongside international collaborations, with more than two-thirds of the programmes offered free to the public. Audiences can expect to see reflections of Singapore’s rich histories, evolving identities, and everyday experiences through a wide range of performances and exhibitions. Complementing the live events is Replay – Screenings from the Esplanade Archives, the first large-scale release of archival recordings on Esplanade Offstage. Featuring over 30 performances—including contributions from long-time artistic collaborators—this digital collection offers a rare look into the centre’s artistic legacy, accessible to all.

 

Hear it first: A Mosaic of fresh sounds (Jan – Dec 2025)

For over two decades, Mosaic has been a cornerstone of Esplanade’s music programming, bringing Singapore and regional audiences the best in alternative, jazz, indie, neo-classical and more. Launched in 2003 as a platform for diverse music experiences, it has stayed true to its DNA of presenting both legendary artists and rising stars across evolving presentation formats. Mosaic Music Series 2025 kicked off earlier in the year with a bang, featuring exciting Singapore debuts by acclaimed Dutch pianist Joep Beving and Canadian indie rock duo Death From Above 1979 and more, alongside the much-anticipated return of guitar legend Pat Metheny. Coming up, audiences can look forward to the breezy, sun-soaked sounds of American trop-pop band Summer Salt, and a nostalgic farewell performance by Danish alt-rock favourites Mew on their final tour.

 

Jazzing up July (1 – 31 Jul 2025)

Jazz in July, Singapore’s longest-running annual jazz festival, returns to Esplanade for its 18th edition with a month-long programme dedicated to the country’s jazz community. Beginner listeners to jazz can sample the genre through free performances featuring vocal jazz on Mondays, big band performances on Sundays, and romantic sets on Fridays. Jazz in July also seeks to build bridges between different Asia jazz scenes, collaborating with organisations like Jarasum Jazz Festival of South Korea, and Blue Note Tokyo to bring in artists from their countries. As with previous years, a small and highly intentional selection of international jazz artists have been invited to perform at the festival. These artists are powerful and compelling interpreters of the genre, selected for their abilities to inspire and engage with audiences and practitioners alike, including the Johnny O’Neal Quartet, Vuyo Sotashe & Chris Pattishall and the Immanuel Wilkins Quartet. The artists will also conduct workshops open to musicians and jazz enthusiasts in Singapore.

 

Serving soon: The Studios 2025 (18 Jul – 14 Sep 2025)

Esplanade’s annual theatre season, The Studios, returns for the final chapter of a three-year thematic journey centred on the theme: LAND. The Studios 2025 presents five productions that look upon LAND as Sustenance for the body, mind and spirit. In addition, the season’s companion programmes—workshops, conversations with artists, and a nature walk—allow audiences to deepen their engagement with the issues and questions raised.

Discover the full line-up and more at www.esplanade.com.