Singapore’s Singland Festival, touted as the country’s largest indoor New Year celebration, has faced a rocky start to 2026, with Canadian singer-songwriter Henry Lau joining K-pop star Rain in publicly expressing frustration over the venue.
The 36-year-old former Super Junior-M member made his Singapore solo debut on Jan. 3, but the performance at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Convention Centre was marred by visibility issues. Holding his violin, Lau repeatedly addressed the audience while walking around the stage, apologising for the less-than-ideal performance.
“I hope that after today, no other singer, no other performer, will perform at this place again. I love Marina Bay Sands, I love you guys, it isn’t their fault, it is just that this is not a place for performing,” he said.
Lau explained that many fans could not see him due to the stage layout and obstructing pillars. “I couldn’t perform the set list the way I wanted because I want to see all of you,” he added.
Fans and online commentators echoed Lau’s concerns, noting that while the 360-degree stage and massive LED screens were visually impressive, the space felt cramped and the view was blocked for many, including VIP ticket holders.
Singland Festival is organised by live events company Season Culture and held at the MBS Convention Centre, a venue more commonly used for conferences and exhibitions. Previous performers, including Hong Kong singer Joey Yung in 2023, also criticised the venue’s sound and visibility issues.
