Singapore doesn’t lack New Year’s Eve countdowns, but it rarely places pop culture at the centre of them. This year, Mediacorp did exactly that. Taking Let’s Celebrate 2026 out of the city and onto Siloso Beach, Sentosa, the broadcaster reframed its annual countdown as a live music event first — and a fireworks show second.
The beachside setting immediately shifted the mood. Instead of hopping between multiple stages or screens, audiences were drawn into a single, tightly programmed show designed to translate seamlessly from the shoreline to national television. Singapore Idol alumni Taufik Batisah, Hardy Mirza and Sezairi brought familiar voices to the stage, Thai singer Sorn added regional pop appeal, and Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi anchored the night as its clear centre of gravity.
The beachside setting immediately changed the mood. Instead of hopping between stages or screens, the crowd settled in for a single, tightly programmed show that mixed nostalgia, regional pop and K-pop star power. Singapore Idol alumni Taufik Batisah, Hardy Mirza and Sezairi brought familiar voices to the stage, Thai singer & former CLC member Sorn added regional pop appeal, and Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi anchored the night as its clear centre of gravity.
Hosted by Class 95 FM’s DJ duo The Muttons, the opening stretch leaned into atmosphere. Jasmine Sokko eased the crowd in with the hazy tones of “Spirited Away”, before Glenn Yong shifted gears by stepping behind the drums for “Lullaby”, drawing cheers for a performance that felt loose and unexpectedly playful.
The energy spiked when Sorn appeared. Performing “Nobody” and “Not A Friend”, the former CLC member slipped comfortably into the Siloso Beach setting — one she knows well, having performed there previously for Waterbomb Singapore. Her return later in the night for a collaboration stage with Jasmine Sokko, joined by dancers from Temasek Polytechnic, stood out as one of the evening’s more visually engaging moments, particularly during their stylised take on Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance”.
Collaboration became a recurring theme as the night unfolded. Sezairi, Taufik Batisah and Hardy Mirza leaned into throwback fun with Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody”, while Nathan Hartono and Glenn Yong paired up for Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical”. Acoustic duo Jack & Rai, joined by rock veteran Ramli Sarip, delivered a crowd-pleasing rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, highlighting the breadth of the evening’s musical mix.
For a countdown built with national television audiences in mind, Mediacorp Let’s Celebrate 2026 also marked a noticeable step up in ambition. While previous editions of the broadcaster’s annual New Year’s Eve programme typically leaned towards local artistes and variety-driven spectacle, this year’s line-up leaned decisively into pop culture, anchored by an internationally recognised K-pop act. Set against the open backdrop of Siloso Beach, the shift refreshed the visual language of the broadcast and signalled Mediacorp’s intent to evolve its countdown into a more music-led event with wider regional appeal — without losing its connection to audiences watching from home
That intent came through clearly when Irene & Seulgi took the stage. Returning to Siloso Beach following their appearance at last year’s Yuewen Music Festival, the Red Velvet subunit was met with a surge of cheers from Reveluvs in the crowd. Opening with “Tilt”, the lead single from their latest extended play, the duo delivered a controlled, confident performance defined by precise choreography and clean vocals. “Trampoline” and “Girl Next Door” followed, reinforcing why the pair continues to command attention more than a decade into their careers.
A brief exchange with the crowd quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments, when Seulgi teased what fans can expect in 2026. Confirming continued subunit activities with Irene, she also hinted at the possibility of a full Red Velvet OT5 album — a reveal that sent excitement rippling through the audience.
As the clock struck midnight, fireworks lit up the Siloso Beach skyline, with all artistes returning to the stage to welcome the new year together. The moment extended the celebratory atmosphere beyond the countdown itself, keeping the crowd engaged well into 2026.
Irene & Seulgi later returned for a final stretch that leaned fully into fan service. Seulgi took the spotlight with “Baby, Not Baby”, followed by Irene’s poised solo “Like A Flower”. The duo reunited for “Monster”, before closing the night with “Red Flavor” — a familiar favourite that felt like a knowing nod to the fans who stayed until the very end.
As the crowd slowly drifted away from the beach, Mediacorp Let’s Celebrate 2026 felt less like a standard countdown and more like a statement. By placing pop music — and the audience’s relationship with it — at the heart of a nationally televised moment, Mediacorp delivered a celebration that felt current, considered and culturally tuned in. We look forward to future editions!
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