Marina Bay Singapore New Year’s Eve Countdown 2013. (Image: is.asia-city.com)
Singapore: New Year’s Eve Countdown — It will be one of the biggest parties of the year in Singapore, the New Year’s Eve Countdown at Marina Bay, and the final touches were put into place on Monday.
While rehearsals were ongoing at the Promontory at Marina Bay, fans gathered at Changi Airport to welcome some of the international stars who will be performing as part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Organisers expect a crowd of some 300,000 on hand for the festivities around the Bay on Tuesday for activities and performances, and at the Promontory a line-up of both local and international artists will be there to entertain.
The popular Filipino rock band Rivermaya, which has performed several times in Singapore, including at the 2008 New Year’s Eve Countdown, is in the line-up.
Rivermaya’s guitarist and vocalist Mark Escueta, said: “This party is going to be (more fun), because we’re playing with other international artists and different genres of music — we have a DJ, we have a singer-songwriter and other bands also. It’s going to be a very colourful night before the fireworks.”
UK Boyband The Wanted arrived at Changi Airport on Monday morning, much to the delight of fans who had gathered early hoping to get a glimpse.
It was worth the effort, as the boys spent some time mingling, taking photographs, and getting up close and personal with their fans, said reports.
Arriving to a boisterous welcome by enthusiastic fans was Taiwanese singing star Wang Lee Hom, before being quickly whisked away.
Both acts will be performing at the Floating Platform on MediaCorp’s TV50 Countdown party.
Singapore authorities said police, auxiliary police, and security officers will be on hand for crowd and traffic control duties.
Police said bags and personal items may be checked, and the public should cooperate and follow the officers’ instructions.
They also reminded the public to stay vigilant against crime, such as molestation and theft.
The public should also be aware that there will be full or partial road closures between 6pm and 2am the following day.
