Connecting The Dots: Sivilian Affairs Gives Love To The Regional House Scene With Its Parties
How can you not love the dynamite duo behind Sivilian Affairs? (Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
It’s lucky to be a partygoer in this side of the world. Southeast Asia is fast becoming an epicentre of buzz for the global dance music industry, and we’re not just talking about the influx of Western acts booking gigs here. Scenes are built by their natives, and you’ll find an abundance of innovation and talent whether you’re prowling around subcultures in Hanoi, Manila, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. Likewise, Singapore fits the bill, and its booming status as a worldly metropolis makes it a perfect nexus to connect with these neighbouring party hotspots. Serving as a guide to these closely-linked ties is Sivilian Affairs, shooting out parties that help local ravers see the bigger picture.
Sivilian Affairs threw its first Chocolate City gig at ETTA in 2022 (Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
Launched back in 2022, Sivilian Affairs is the steadily-maturing brainchild of Lilian Hautemulle (Miss Lil) and Sivanesh Pillai, two accomplished (and adorable) figures in the music industry who’ve made strides with their individual prowess. Together, the magic they brew is even more potent and it shows in the evolution of their programming that puts our tiny yet flourishing scene in perspective. Beyond our talented shores is a bounty of regional aces who deserve to be explored and witnessed. Sivilian Affairs’ pop-up events bring them closer to home, educating audiences with the gift of context and a sense of belonging and pride for the regional dance music community as a whole. If you’ve been to a Southeast Asian music festival lately, you’ll know what we’re talking about.
Sivilian Affairs doesn’t fit itself into a singular nook or cranny, but diversifies with its varied events that brandish a particular theme. Friendly Waters was the duo’s first event series, focusing on talents from the Asian diaspora with its crosshairs on house music; headliners have included Emel Rowe and Saint Guel from Manila, Roshan from KL, Acid Sister from Bangkok and an upcoming appearance from Saigon’s BongBongQuayQuay. Its Celestial Seasonings nights shine the spotlight on acid-drenched cosmic sounds that are reminiscent of progressive ’90s house, having featured international heavyweights like Abdul Raeva, Baldo and up next, Reflex Blue. And then it has its cheekily-named Chocolate City, a twice-a-year jamboree that explores house, disco and techno with past alums such as Jonnyvicious, Ouissam, Moody Mehran, alongside local selectors Halal Sol, Zafirah, HBN and Ulysses.
What Lilian and Sivanesh have written in their Sivilian Affairs story is a love letter to electronic music and its power to bring us together past languages and map lines. Being in Singapore is fantastic, but being part of a regional phenomenon that’s gaining massive traction is so much sweeter.
(Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
(Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
(Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
(Credit: Courtesy of Sivilian Affairs)
Follow Sivilian Affairs on Instagram to stay updated with their events. Their next events are on 9 March with BongBongQuayQuay, 23 March with Reflex Blue and 12 April with Rey Colino.
