Reprising last year’s year-end party Singha Beer @ The Shack, the Thai beer company brought 2010 to an early close and signalled the start of fresh beginnings ahead with a night of beer, dance and music at Nov 20’s Singha Beer Full Moon Party.

The F1 pit building, where the party was held, saw its usual Formula-1 themed posters obscured by a large Singha signboard ingeniously lit by a lamppost with a massive light bulb, clearly designed to resemble the moon.

The first sight that greeted guests was an art showcase set up by Singha Beer. This area contained a graffiti wall and a gallery of the brand’scollection of fine art, framed on both sides by energetic poi performers who swung balls of light suspended on short lengths of wire.

Widely touted as the longest bar in Singapore, the F1 bar was the other main attraction. Singha clearly spared no expense in commissioning the crew of sports-themed beer bar Malted Milkto satisfy thirsty party-goers with Mojitos, free-flows of frosty Singha Beer and more.

Like its famous cousins in Koh Pha Ngan island in Thailand, the essence of the Full Moon Party is in the dance and music. Starting around 10pm, the party heated up when the first of Singha’s all-star entertainment lineup, DJ Mad-Mat, took to the stage. With his signature mix of Electro and Electro-rock, DJ Mad-Mat wasted no time in building up the excitement while Singha opened the bar taps for an hour’s worth of free beer. Free Singha Mojitos, making their first appearance in Singapore, were also awarded to the first 100 who yelled, “Singha Juice Rocks!”

With the crowd on fire, the night’s next act, 13-man percussion group Wicked Aura Batucada, turned up the heat even higher with their signature cross-culture beats. Opening with an intense percussion performance, their body-shaking drum beats merged into an infectious electric rhythm that filled the floor with dancers and revellers.

DJ Tang and EJ from Rebel Boutique Club followed next, maintaining the electric atmosphere through the later half of the night with their colorful blend of Hip-hop and R&B. As the party wore down and the rhythms tapered out, DJ Nicole Chen brought the night to a slow cruise with her smooth blend of house tunes.

Exhausted performer Gerald Wu of Wicked Aura Batucada was clearly impressed with the Full Moon Party’s flair and energy, quipping: “There’s a recipe for great parties- good beer, hot chicks and great music, and the Singha Full Moon party has all three!”

All pictures by Melanie Jane Low