SingLand Festival conducts review after backlash over Henry Lau’s Marina Bay Sands show

SINGAPORE: SingLand Festival has said it is conducting a comprehensive review following backlash over Henry Lau’s music show at Marina Bay Sands on 3 January 2026, after the artiste publicly expressed disappointment with the venue setup and audience experience.

In response to queries from Heidoh, SingLand Festival said it was aware of the feedback raised by both the artiste and audience members following the performance.

The organisers said they are reviewing the event together with their production, venue and operations partners to assess planning, stage configuration, seating layouts and on-ground management.

“We take all feedback seriously and are reviewing the concerns raised to better understand the factors involved and to identify areas for improvement,” the organisers said, adding that audience experience and artiste support remain key priorities.

They added that findings from the review would inform how future events are planned and delivered.

Henry Lau voices frustration on stage

Henry Lau’s music show was held on 3 January 2026 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre, Level B2, spanning Halls D, E and F.

During the performance, Henry addressed the audience directly, expressing dissatisfaction with the venue arrangements.

He told showgoers that he was “extremely disappointed” and said he would not return to perform at the same venue in the future.

He apologised on stage and explained that visibility was a major issue, saying many audience members were unable to see him clearly from different sections of the hall.

He added that being able to see the audience was also important to him as a performer.

Henry also clarified that his remarks were not directed at Marina Bay Sands management, stressing that he loved the venue but felt the convention space was “not a place for performing”.

Following the show, criticism spread across social media, with some posts describing the event as the “worst concert management ever”. Much of the online backlash was directed at SingLand Festival as the event organiser.

SingLand Festival apologises

In its 6 January statement, SingLand Festival said it remained committed to investing in and delivering high-quality, seamless live music experiences.

The organisers apologised to audiences, artistes and partners for the logistical issues experienced during the three-day festival, saying all feedback had been taken seriously.

They added that a thorough review of planning and on-ground execution was under way to understand what went wrong, ensure gaps are addressed, and take the necessary steps to improve future events.