Rocking sweet, happy vibes at the F1

The 2015 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix brought together not only the best racers in the world, but also some of the biggest names in the music industry for three nights of high-octane musical mayhem.

Opening the show with his new hit ‘Freedom’, American singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams kick-started the first entertainment leg to a crowd of 50,000 at the Padang last Friday.

Flanked by two back-up singers and a quartet of female dancers — also known as “The BAES” — first headliner act Pharrell cut a lean figure with his basic get-up of a printed t-shirt and faded jeans.

The Grammy-winning songwriter not only has a knack for writing chart-topping hits, he has also produced songs for big names in the industry, such as Robin Thicke, Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani.

And he sure spared no time to remind us of his multiple talents, by sneaking in covers of songs like ‘Hollaback Girl’ and ‘Blurred Lines’ in his setlist.

Towards the end of his 100-minute performance, he turned the Padang into a huge dance floor as he delivered party hits like Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’, and of course, the infectious tune ‘Happy’. (Because how could he not.)

As the haze cleared up on Saturday night, an even larger crowd descended on the Padang as Maroon 5 took to the stage.

Returning as headlining acts at the F1 for the second time since 2012, Adam Levine wasted no time in rousing the crowd with his impressive vocals. Coming on stage in a singlet and black floral shirt, he was wearing neither by the time he stepped off. At one point, he even tried to compete with the lead guitar in an epic scream-off.

As Maroon 5 blazed through their 15-song setlist, the crowds never let up singing along to ever-popular songs like ‘Payphone’, ‘Sunday Morning’ and ‘Daylight’.

Final headliner act Bon Jovi took to the stage promptly at 10.30pm on Sunday evening, opening his 90-minute set with ‘That’s What The Water Made Me’.

Returning to Singapore after 20 years, the American rock band made a pit stop at the Padang for the Bon Jovi Live! Tour.

While the crowd, mostly made up of tourists and the occasional millennial fan, took a while to warm up to Bon Jovi’s newer hits, they were easily roused with classic rock anthems like ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’ and ‘Bad Medicine’.

While this year’s entertainment leg appealed to music fans of various genres, we noticed a lack of female presence in the line-up.

Can we expect female power in 2016, then? (For the record, we are so voting for Taylor Swift.)

WRITTEN BY WAN MUNIRAH AND JUSTIN HUI