E (165)

end-user may not fully comprehend the
technology, Godwin says it's the operator of
any system that has the control.

“It all boils down to the sound engineer
because he's the one who is going to EQ
the sound in a venue for you so he has to
understand the applicati on of it. I always
get someone who I really trust with sound,
usually that's Jason Tan, Sound engineer
from Loud Technologies who has been doing
dance clubs for years. There are some guys
who have a natural insti nct for dance music
and there are others who have the insti nct
for live. Jason has an insti nct for both. I've
worked with him on many projects because
he really knows how to EQ the sound for me.
That's the approach I take. All the presets are

done no changes ever need to be done to the

EQ for nightclubs.”

Culture & Congesti on

For a country that saw the opening as well as

closure of over 300 nightlife entertainment

venues in 2014, one could consider the

market in Singapore congested. Godwin

att ributes the congesti on to the opening of

the Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay

Sands in 2010. Singapore culture, according

to him, has always been more towards Briti sh

entertainment, but since the opening of the

casinos, aspects of American culture were

added into the mix shortening the life cycle

of clubs. Clubs like Avalon and Pangaea

where only the super rich are seen enjoying

a S$32,000 cocktail known as the “Jewel of

Pangaea” seem to be a constant trend in the

club-scene of Singapore.

However, due to the congesti on, Godwin

now considers the average life cycle of a

club in Singapore to be about 18 months to

2 years. “People are more concerned about

being seen as opposed to actually enjoying

themselves. This industry is ruthless, clubs

are opening and closing just as quickly

because so many people don't know how

to balance their outlets and don't have the

manpower to sustain themselves.”

The desire to expand and the size of

Singapore seems to weigh heavily on the

minds of everyone we spoke to. There could

just be too many fi sh in the pond with not

enough bait to go around. What does the

future hold for the scene in Singapore? For

LEC, at least, Godwin said that the pasture

looks greener on the other side. "Our focus

will be to do a few territories in the next 5

years. A few in S.E.A, because by then we

expect to have 2-3 diff erent brands that will

allow us to go out there aggressively looking

for locati ons."

In conclusion, yes, Singapore is a vibrant

entertainment hub. Has it achieved its goal

of becoming the clubbing state of Asia? The

quality of sound systems and the amount of

tourist traffi c seems to point to yes. But the

high turnover of clubs and ignorant mindset

of some club owners suggest that while a lot

of people are trying to get in, not everyone

manages to stay in.

As Godwin said, its a ruthless industry.

Godwin Pereira, Co-founder of Limited Editi on Concepts Pte Ltd

Clubs like Avalon and Pangaea where

only the super rich are seen enjoying

a S$32,000 cocktail known as the

“Jewel of Pangaea” seem to be a

constant trend in the club-scene of

Singapore.

58

SPECIAL FEATURE

March - April 2015