NDP is Finally Here—And It’s All About the Singapore Spirit!
After a short wait, National Day Parade 2021 is officially kicking off this weekend, all from the comfort of your own living room. Think of it as a festive Sunday roast, but instead of creamy mashed potatoes, you’ll get a whole lot of animated storytelling.
Meet the McCrew
Joakim Gomez, Eswari Gunasagar, Fauzie Laily, and Patricia Mok are the faces of this year’s parade. These four are the cheerleaders who’ll bring the Singapore vibe to every corner of your home TV.
Why We’re All In
- Rekindling past legends and present triumphs.
- Inspiring you to dream big—yes, that big dream of finally fixing your Wi‑Fi router.
- Reminding us that adversity is just another obstacle in our party planner.
There’s a gentleman in a tux‑dress (or maybe a robe), the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, reminding us that new craziness will pop up again, but we’ve got the resilience of a superhero squad. He said, “Covid‑19 proved we can handle the drama with grit and determination, staying glued as one united people.”
(quote courtesy of a message on 9 Aug)
Stay‑At‑Home, High‑Def Style
For the first time ever, the entire parade will be fully animated—yes, fully animated! The local studio, Robot Playground Media, is pulling the strings (or the LEDs) for an interactive experience. Their animated feature ties together six characters across different eras. Think of a narrative that goes from the time a Singer sewing machine was novel to the current era of instant memes.
Already feeling a little wobbly from the old covid shenanigans? Try this at home: no Marina Bay requested for prayers; check the infographic below for the area closure.
Infographic: Area Closure
Marina Bay is off‑limits—if you happen to be strolling there, remember that all great adventures (like the parade) are online now. What a wild, very safe world we’re living in!
Safety first
Safety First at NDP 2021
Alright folks, here’s the tea: safety isn’t just a buzzword this year—it’s the whole vibe. The number of performers and participants has been stripped down to a mere 600— that’s a whopping 70 % drop from the last NDP Float in 2018.
Getting Everyone Spaced Out
- Float and Four Satellites: performers are spread across the main Float plus NUS Field, Jewel Changi, Yio Chu Kang Stadium, and Marina Barrage.
- Pre‑Recorded Dazzle: shows at those off‑site spots? They’re all recorded beforehand so we can keep the physical contact to a bare minimum.
What’s the Hinge on Hygiene?
- Vaccinated All‑Round: everyone’s got their shots. But that’s not all—each performer has a Covid‑19 test before every rehearsal.
- Mask‑Off only on Stage: guards stay on at all other times. Think of it as a “dont‑touch‑the‑air” policy.
- TraceTogether Mandatory: because we all know it’s the ultimate safety coaster.
- Hand Sanitiser on Hand: a mandatory routine to keep the 5‑second rule strong.
Rehearsals on a Tight Schedule
- Staggered Runs: rehearsals are split into chunks to keep the athletes from crowding.
- Team Sizes: groups of no more than 50, then cut into smaller squads to avoid a “big splash” of interaction.
- Zero Cross‑Interactions: teams stay in their bubble unless there’s a legit need to mingle.
From “Zoom‑In” to “Panic‑Stop”
During the first #Phase2HA in May, the entire crew had to rehearse on a Zoom‑cloud stage. Then come July, when the country slipped back into #Phase2HA, those virtual rehearsals were called off—just like a movie trailer that gets delayed to a later premiere.
Hats Off to the Crusaders
Shout‑out to our performers: they’ve managed to keep their cool through a roller‑coaster of changing rules, all while sticking to the dress code, masks, and those merry pauses. If there’s one saying that sums this up, it’s “Mad respect for their patience and grit.” Here’s to a smashing NDP 2021!
Two new NDP songs!
Singapore’s New National Dance Parade Hits the Right Beat
While the catchy The Road Ahead has already become the anthem’s marquee tune, the 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) is lining up two fresh hits that are sure to keep the crowds bouncing.
“Breathing City” – A Vibrant Vibe for Singapore
Performed by the dynamic Sezairi Sezali, this upbeat track is all about inspiring Singaporeans to keep moving forward and building a brighter tomorrow.
- Songwriter: Sezairi Sezali (alongside Charlie Lim)
- Unique Hook: “Lift my spirit, My breathing city, My living home.”
- Fun Fact: The music video was animated by local studio Weaving Clouds and features drawings from 623 bright-eyed pupils across six schools.
“Spirits Anew” – A Call to Rise with New Resolve
Aired by the talented Aisyah Aziz, this powerful anthem borrows a line inspired by our national motto “Majulah Singapura” – the spirit of marching forward with renewed vigor.
- Songwriters: Aisyah Aziz & RHAUN
- Catchy Line: “Dengan semangat yang baru…?”
- Fun Fact: The video’s animation was a solo masterpiece by visual artist Howie Kim.
- Title Line: “Louder than a lion, we’ll rise with our spirits anew.”
Both dazzling performers will give a live rendition of their tunes this weekend, uniting the nation through rhythm and rhyme as they shout the promise of a hopeful future.
Wah! SG MUSIC FEST sia!
Get Set for the NDP 2021 Bash!
Don’t miss the one and only official theme song, The Road Ahead. Linying, Sezairi, Shabir, and Shye are all set to bring it to life live—trust us, it’s going to be a soundtrack you’ll want to replay.
All‑Star Lineup
- Linying
- Sezairi
- Shabir
- Shye
- Inch Chua
- Alemay Fernandez
- The Freshman (Carrie Yeo & Chen Diya)
- Benjamin Kheng
- Nick Zavior
- Yung Raja
These #madeinSG stars are going to light up the stage, so grab your tickets, bring your friends, and get ready for a night of unforgettable vibes.
Heads‑Up: Marina Bay Area Closures
- Restricted access near Marina Bay.
- Road closures for event security.
- Parking will be limited.
Enjoy the show, but read the area updates so you can plan your route and stay stress‑free.
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