My 6 nightlife wishes for 2014

Time to make wish lists and resolutions for 2014.

Last year, one of my resolutions was to drink less. I was reminded of that just a few weeks ago, thanks to finding a crumpled Post-it note. First thing to do next year: Clean my room.

There are a few wishes I have for the nightlife scene.

1 Shame the shameless

Many discerning punters I have met dread the thought of going on a night out for one reason - the kind of people who blemish it.

There are many types of ugly revellers, but a few really stand out. One of my "favourites" is the douchebag.

To a douchebag, the world revolves around them. These ignorant, obnoxious, attention-seeking punters come in all shapes and sizes.

They'll cut the queue, knock your drinks over, attempt to steal your date and dance like a primate on drugs without a care in the world.

At every point in the history of nightlife, there they are, like a stubborn stain.

But one thing establishments and law-enforcement agencies have not done is to mark these douchebags.

It's cost-effective and really easy to execute. Once a punter steps out of line, mark with a permanent neon ink. It could be done on the wrist, but then it could become a badge of honour. I suggest the forehead.

We could throw in horrible types from opposite ends of the age spectrum - the young, cheap drunks who populate bridges like trolls and the more mature big spenders who think buying champagne means they own the world.

2 EDM* OUT
*Electronic dance music

For the uninitiated, EDM doesn't encompass every single electronic music catalogue. It's a genre.

In the industry, EDM is regarded as the bastardised version of what electronic music really is and should be. It is loud, a lot of the tracks sound like clones and it often elicits monkey-like behaviour.

It's what acclaimed DJs like Hardwell, Steve Aoki, David Guetta and, er, Paris Hilton would play. Or rather, not play, since they've been accused of performing with pre-recorded set lists.

But EDM also makes tonnes of money.

Just look at Dutch DJ Hardwell's recent Fort Canning gig. It was sold out, and I heard some kids were willing to pay more than four times the $88 entry fee.

There's no artistry or credibility in EDM. Compare its stars to technical greats like British DJ Harvey and hip-hop DJ Jazzy Jeff, who actually mix tracks.

It doesn't have audio artists like Flying Lotus, Dixon and Jackmaster, who create highly personal sets. There are no forward-thinking music selectors like Gilles Peterson and Joy Orbison, who push the boundaries, rather than just press "play".

The good news is that EDM is tiring and losing its appeal, at least according to some US festival organisers I spoke to.

Hopefully, next year, EDM fans can discover the depth of what electronic music is.

3 Let's talk

There are dance music conferences worldwide where captains of the nightlife industry meet, share ideas and party. Winter Music Conference in Miami and Electronic Music Conference in Sydney are the big ones.

Time for one to be held in Singapore.

4 Global home-grown artists

The idea of Singaporean music being lauded overseas is not as far-fetched as it was five years ago.

Home-grown DJs, producers and bands are making their presence felt on foreign soil. There are even three local acts appearing in the fourth Laneway Festival next month.

Artists like Vandetta and techno DJ Xhin are up and coming. Xhin even has a schedule packed with gigs everywhere from Tokyo to Berlin.

Folk-pop quartet The Sam Willows has played music festivals in Korea, Perth and the prestigious South By Southwest Festival in Texas. Electronic outfit Sub:shaman has been dubbed as one of the "Five best new Asian bands" by South China Morning Post.

My wish for 2014? That these artists don't play in Singapore too often as they get busy on the world stage.

5 Popping parties

The Pop-up fad seems to be cooling. But when it comes to nightlife, more parties at obscure locations, please!

Dance music weekender Super 0 at a former art gallery and Fred Perry's indie fest Subsonic at a futsal complex proved just how much fun it can be dancing where you usually wouldn't.

6 Close all the roads

To further the "Don't drink and drive" campaigns, close down nightlife belts to traffic.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority is already doing a great job with Circular Road and Ann Siang Hill on the weekends. Let's push it to Duxton Hill, Keong Saik Road and beyond.

Tell me what wishes you have for Singapore's nightlife landscape. Tweet it to me at @zulandra.

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