NTU Fest returns after year-long hiatus, but with some changes

By Cheryl Tee

NTU Fest will be back next year.

But the new version of the university festival may see major changes — including the absence of K-pop stars, a change in venue, and the removal of the charity run.

These are among the tweaks proposed by the NTU Students’ Union (NTUSU), who officially announced the event’s comeback on its Facebook page on 21 Oct.

NTU Fest was cancelled this year following declining student involvement in the past few years.

The Nanyang Chronicle had earlier reported that attendance to the event decreased by more than 50 per cent from 2014 to 2015.

This year’s break gave the NTUSU a chance to review the event and propose ways to encourage more students to participate.

The Union will present its ideas to the NTU Campus Life Committee this month for approval, said NTUSU President Gan Rui Yun.

One of the ideas submitted by the NTUSU is to host NTU Fest on campus to increase participation from students.

Past editions took place at public venues — the Padang in 2014, and The Promontory @ Marina Bay in 2015.

Having the event in the University would make it convenient for them to join in, said Gan.

About 17,000 students will be staying on campus by next August.

However, the event committee is debating whether it should keep the charity run, as shifting it to NTU would require further planning.

In the meantime, there will not be performances by guest stars, such as Korean rapper Kang Gary and girl group Dal Shabet, who headlined the events in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

These stars distracted event-goers from the focus of fostering an NTU identity, the NTUSU said.

The concert should be kept for student and alumni performers only, it further suggested.

Most students the Nanyang Chronicle spoke to welcomed the potential changes.

“Bringing the venue to NTU appeals to students. They are likely to be more comfortable with the environment, and travelling there after classes is also easier,” said second-year School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)student Liao Wanting, 21.

Second-year Nanyang Business School student Lee Yuansiang, 21, said: “Having NTU Fest on campus would especially appeal to exchange students to join in, since most of them stay in hall.”

She added: “They are also part of the NTU community, and should be given opportunities to mingle with local students.”

Some, like third-year School of Art, Design and Media student Chris Tan, are also in favour of a student-led concert.

The 22-year-old said that a platform like NTU Fest would be a “great incentive” for student performers to improve on their craft to put up a good show.

“When I attended the event in 2014, every single band became an opening act for Kang Gary. It was painful to watch,” Tan added.

“NTU has plenty of budding musical talents, so I’m sure NTU Fest can do without any guest stars.”

Others, however, are concerned that the new direction of NTU Fest may overlap with similar events.

“If NTU Fest’s focus shifts to the showcase of student talent, it will need to distinguish itself from existing events, such as FUSE and Nanyang Arts Fest (NAF). Then, it has to compete with these events for performers,” said third-year MAE student Andrew Fung, 23.

But Fung said that if the NTU Fest committee could find a way around this problem, having students and alumni perform would “definitely improve student turnout”, as friends of the performers are likely to extend their support by attending the event.

He said: “FUSE and NAF have been pretty successful. I don’t see why any similar activity can’t emulate their successes as long as it doesn’t feel redundant.”