“That’s a wrap!” As quickly as the festival started, it ended. I took in the aftermath of the festival one last time as memories from the past few weeks flooded my mind. The past few weeks had been hectic for me. As part of the organising committee of Sultan Gate Music Festival, I managed to witness and handle the chaos behind the event. What seemed like a straightforward job came with plenty of hurdles and obstruction. In the midst of the storm, my chiefs carry a brave front to bring up the mood of the team. They stayed true to SultanGate.sg ‘s tagline, where everything is cool and beautiful, and preserved on. Considering how the environment in most event company was rather stressful, it was a different experience to be in such a tranquillized state. With this placid and composed mindset, we braved on into the festival.
Situated at the best seat in the house, the control room, I was not only able to monitor the show but the audience’s reactions as well. It was inspiring to see local budding artists taking the stage boldly with a glow on their face. With voices like a rising storm echoing through the auditorium, I found myself subconsciously busting out my moves with the crowd.
Time flew by the moment the shows started. From fusion music by Veda9 to poetry recitation by Rafaat, the activities of the festival opened my mind to a world without boundaries. The world of music soon evolved into a tool that brings harmony amongst the people. To be able to be in a space where race is merely the colour of your skin and your status is just a name, gave me a sense of freedom to be immersed into the music.
As the festival draws to an end, a wave of melancholy overwhelmed me. It finally drew on me that the battle that we fought behind the scenes paid off. The smiles on everyone’s faces obliterated my fatigued body and brought my mind back to the present. To experience this sense of purpose and achievement is a sensation beyond words. It created an unbreakable bond between my soul, the festival and the community. An attachment that remains in my heart regardless of our distance.