Beolit 12
Size: A heavyweight. You’ll need a sizeable duffel bag to carry this with you.
Sound: We were pleasantly surprised by its crisp sound, which holds up when transitioning between bass, mid-bass and midrange tones.
Looks: Its leather carrying straps, clean front face and aluminium grill make it the kind of package you’d want to show off anywhere.
Verdict: √√√√
$1,200 from Bang & Olufsen Hyatt

Bose Soundlink Mini
Size: The dimensions bid well in terms of portability. Some may find it a tad bulky, but that’s just an indicator of its impressive sonic quality.
Sound: Deep and rich. Be it for an office party or a beach barbeque, this baby’s all you need.  
Looks: The sleek design and silver finishing also adds a touch of luxe. Plus, it’s surprisingly affordable.
Score: √√√√√
$299 from Bose @ Millenia Walk

Jabra Solemate
Size: Slightly on the hefty side but it’ll still fit snugly in your tote bag or backpack if you’re lugging it around.
Sound: We like the loud thumps and bass it produces, but the treble is sorely lacking and distorted when played loud.
Looks: The Solemate has a threaded rubber base, which looks like the underside of boot. And there are just three highly visible and simple buttons on its crown. You won’t find anything more rugged than this.
Verdict: √√√
$228 from EpiCentre

Marley Chant
Size: The runt of the family. Just slightly bigger than a drinks can and you can even hang it from your belt with a karabiner.
Sound: Not incredibly loud but it’d be fine for a picnic.
Looks: Neat. It’s got a wooden finish, but it’s the red, yellow and green stitching, befitting its namesake, that makes it a winner.
Verdict: √√√
$138.90 from HMV

Loewe Speaker 2go
Size: Slim and travel-friendly. Leaves plenty of leftover space in your luggage but don’t be fooled by its dimensions—it packs a punch elsewhere.
Sound: Sonically superior to the rest of the pack, and versatile when alternating between soft, acoustic tracks and club or rock tunes. A rubber stand allows you to re-focus the sound around the room
Looks: Minimal finishing for those looking for something more subtle.
Verdict: √√√√
$599 from Atlas Experience Boutique

We get tips from Soren Kokholm, General Manager of Bang & Olufsen, on how to achieve great sound at home.

Why the name?
We believe that music has the strange ability to free the soul—the expression of feelings through music is a means to liberate oneself and [the actor] Steve McQueen's portrayals of the anti-hero in iconic films like The Getaway, The Great Escape and Papillon make him the perfect symbol of anti-establishment.

How did the group come together?
A few of us were at the Java Jazz Festival earlier this year and were inspired by so many of the acts; so much so that we decided it would be fun to form a band and write our own music when we got back. We all knew each other through various music circles and when it came together, we just knew it was something special.

Has it been tough finding places to play in?
It’s a good gigging situation, but of course, we could always play more. We play at Blu Jaz at least once a month and at Marina Bay Sands twice a week. We have a bit of a following at these places.

What are some of the band’s musical influences?
Well, there are the neo-soul influences of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Maxwell as well as the more improvisational approach and sound of modern jazz instrumentalists like Robert Glasper and Darryl Reeves. Lump that together with soul and R&B icons like Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Bill Withers—you get the picture.

Where do you see yourselves five years from now?
Touring and stuffing ourselves endlessly with cuisines from all over the world.

The Steve McQueen Band perform Nov 14 at Blu Jaz, 11 Bali Lane, 6292-3800 and every Fri-Sat at Jazz @The Shoppes, 10 Bayfront Ave, 6688-8868. Free.

People tend to get puzzled about comedy hypnosis. Tell us more about this concept of hypnosis and it’s objective?
There are several aspects to bear in mind with hypnosis. Hypnosis itself is psychological and then there is the comedy aspect. When fused together, the outcome is a very, very funny stage show. Several willing volunteers are hypnotised and make suggestions to their deep subconscious and when they wake up they will automatically carry out the suggestions given.

What’s the most bizarre occurrence with one of your participants?
Like a finger print, every one of my shows is unique. Even though the show is highly polished you never know how the participants will react when they are put to task. It's live and unrehearsed and the hypnotic induction is demonstrated live for the audience to see.

What’s your ritual just before a performance?
I have a serious ritual that I do before each show. While treading the boards back stage I clear my mind and ask the great architect of the universe and hypnotic gods to watch over me and it works. Just as important at the end of the show I always say thanks.

Are there any requirements for participants to ensure the hypnosis works?
The more people in the audience usually the more the participants for me to work with. In a large theatre with a grand stage I will work with about 12 people and smaller venues 6 is a great number to play with.

How funny do you think you are?
I have mastered this concept and have 30 years stage experience so I must be doing something right. I let the audience decide if I am funny or not.

Are there any fears about something going completely wrong or disastrous on stage?
I ensure before I start work that everything is in place, the sound equipment, props, ambience and more. This limits the chances of problems that may arise.

How would you describe your personality off-stage?
My personality off stage is very similar to on stage. I have a very cheeky demeanour which has carried me through life pleasantly so far.

Can this therapy really help smokers quit? How do you answer your critics who think it’s nothing but a conjob?
It's a really powerful tool when used professionally for therapeutic uses. I have helped hundreds of people to stop smoking however they must want to really stop for it to work. Regarding critics, once they witness my abilities it changes their whole mindset to hypnosis.

How self-conscious are you?
I am very self-conscious and my radar is always on to ensure I am ready to react to anything that my crazy life can project at me.

If there’s someone you’d love to hypnotize, who would it be?
One person I would have loved to hypnotise would have been Albert Einstein. Who knows what other amazing things he could have done with the power of his mind?

Alan Bates, The World's Greatest Comedy Hypnotist performs from Nov 28-30 at Aquanova. Tickets at $48-$58 from Sistic.

We heard the Detroit edition of Laneway went great! How was it?
It was one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. To host our event over there with one of the year’s most exciting line ups and see all these local people embrace us… it was like the first Laneway in Singapore which also goes down as a career highlight.

Looks like Laneway is here to stay. Any other territories planed for expansion?
Our plan for Asia is to make Singapore a destination festival and develop the brand into Asia. We see Laneway as being a future Coachella type event of the region.

What’s so special about Laneway in Singapore?
The local people getting so excited about the coolest music on earth and the incredible site.

Biggest challenge about organizing a concert of this magnitude?
Communicating with all markets constantly and keeping everyone on the same page.

Do you miss St. Jerome’s Bar? Tell us more about it and what are some of your fondest memories there?
My favorite memory is when Jerome and I used to drink Melbourne cans in the front bar on a Sunday and host the Summer Series. We had so many laughs, met so many people and spawned a music festival in between.

What do you have to say to the critics of Laneway?
Thank you critics! All opinions help us try and make our event better. There will always be doubters no matter what you do but passion and belief always override any fear of failure.

Any fears about Laneway losing its identity?
Not yet. We are getting a global name so we do need to be careful. 

What do you think Laneway will be ten years from now?
Small, boutique, highly personal, a true customer service experience and possibly multiple days at no larger than 15,000 per day.

Twitter and Facebook is really helping the marketing efforts. What do you make of that?
Social media is key for us and our team in Singapore understands it very very well.

Top songs on your personal playlist right now?
"Tether" by Chvrches and "Old" by Danny Brown.

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival 2014 takes place at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay on January 25. Tickets at $150 from Sistic.

There’s been plenty of talk about proposing that women undergo National Service. Do you think that’s far-fetched?
Women today are more empowered and independent. I believe the latest decision is that the Singapore Armed Forces will not draft women for National Service but volunteer opportunities for us will be expanded. I have no doubt women will be able to contribute meaningfully in these areas.

What do you think of all the alternative runs happening in Singapore? Do you think the running scene will run out of ideas? No pun intended.
Alternative runs have a certain appeal and add a refreshing dimension to Singapore’s running scene. They are a good complement to the more serious runs and add variety. The Great Eastern Women’s Run combines fun and competition. Our Live Great 5km Fun Run is ideal for casual runners while we also have categories such as the 21km half marathon for the serious runners

We have no doubt about the difficulties women face in juggling their duties. Does Singapore make it conducive or otherwise?
In Singapore, women are relatively more fortunate in the workplace than their counterparts in Asia. Working women enjoy good support from the government and from most organisations. Great Eastern is no different. As a LIFE Company, we believe that a healthy workplace is where employees, both women and men, can maximise their potential and are more engaged and happy. Our unique employee benefits programme – LIFE Programme – focuses on helping employees live healthier and better. Employees are given incentives such as LIFE points to take charge of their health. One point is equivalent to $1 which they can use for themselves and family members. Heath and wellness activities are organised every month, such as health talks and mass walks around the office vicinity to motivate employees to keep healthy.

We have numerous women-only runs in Singapore these days. How will this run stand out?
We believe in going the extra mile to create a memorable race experience for our 14,000 participants. Each year, we add a new dimension to our Run to make it that much more special. We were the first to introduce a series of regular fringe activities prior to the race day. These included pole dancing, Pilates, healthy cooking workshops and circuit training which were very popular with and well-received by our participants. Ours is the only run to feature a Powder Room where ladies can freshen up after their run at the Floating Platform @ Marina Bay. Special touches included wet wipes, perfume and cotton pads. From a survey we conducted, we found that majority of women want to keep fit but are held back by work and family commitments. Support from family and friends are also important to them. So this year, we upped the ante. On race day on 10 November, we will be organising something special just for family members, friends and supporters.

Three qualities that define a woman?
Strong, giving and confident.

The Great Eastern Women's Run takes place on November 10 at The Float@Marina Bay.

You mentioned choreography came along by chance. Why did you say yes to it?
I’ve always loved a challenge and it was something new for me to try.

Three things you look for in a dancer?
Strong technique, good style and to be a storyteller.

Tell us, what gives you an adrenaline rush these days?
Creating choreography for new musicals. It gets my juices flowing.

Weirdest gift you’ve received from a fan?
A doll that looks just like me. Weird.

Are you a perfectionist when it comes to work?
I’m very obsessive.

Starlight Express celebrates 25 years. What’s the most beautiful thing about this production?
The performers that fearlessly dance on skates.

The thing about choreography is having to keep yourself updated with the latest trends in entertainment. How do you do it?
I love working with dancers in all genres and I am always on Youtube!

If you were a character from the Mr Men & Little Miss series, what would you be?
Little Miss Bossy!

You’ve worked with so many different people in your life. What sets someone apart from the rest?
Star quality is the ability to connect with people with you heart and soul.

What’s your mantra in life?
Do unto others as you would wish to be done by.

Catch Starlight Express from Nov 13-24 at the Mastercard Theatres, The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Tickets at $65-$780 from Sistic.

Tell us how the idea was mooted for the Bloomberg Square Mile to be held here in Singapore.
Singapore is a young, vibrant city with an incredibly strong corporate community – it’s the perfect fit for an event like this. When we first started discussing expansion of the event with Bloomberg it was quickly identified as an ideal host city, and we’re really excited that it is going to stage the first Bloomberg Square Mile Relay outside the UK.

What do you hope to achieve with the race?
Lots of answers to that question. Firstly, we hope to stage a fantastic event that adds something new and exciting to the Singapore sporting calendar. There is a great sporting culture in Singapore and a real appetite for events like this. Secondly, we really want to bring a new sense of positive competition to the financial sector. Thirdly, we are working with SportCares to leave a real, tangible legacy in the form of two programmes which will not only unearth new sporting talent, but also engage, educate and inspire a new generation through running.

How will this race stand out?
One thing that makes the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay totally unique is the team feeling that comes from picking up that baton and passing it on to a teammate – people train together, race together and build really strong relationships through the race.

Singapore’s seeing many alternative races these days (The Zombie Run, The Color Run, The Green Corridor Run, Commando SG). Were you encouraged to have the Bloomberg Square Mile in Singapore because of this?
It’s very exciting to be involved in a strong sporting community and an exciting calendar of events that really does get people out on the streets running. So the answer is yes – but actually I think it’s more that these events have come to Singapore  because there is such a strong appetite for them.

What's your fitness regime like?
I grew up playing rugby and spent a lot of my life out on that pitch, but over the last ten years I’ve been playing more tennis, swimming and running a lot, including the London Marathon and Triathlon. If I don’t get out there and do something every day then I’m not happy – sport is a big part of my life.

Catch all the action of the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 2013 taking place on October 24 at The Promontory, Marina Bay.

Most memorable performance for you?
Performing in 2012 at the opening ceremony of the UEFA European Football Championship. I played a unique interpretation of Chopin’s Winterwind in front of 60,000 football fans when Poland took on Greece at the brand new National Stadium in Warsaw. The Polish fans were delighted to hear Chopin at a national game and the live television broadcast went out live to 300 million people across the world.

Did you go through the school of hard knocks to get where you are today?
A great moment came when I was 18, I called my piano teacher to cancel a lesson because I hadn’t practised. He had such wonderful personality and he just kept talking and I couldn’t even say that I had called him to cancel. He was explaining that a Japanese pianist had cancelled a concert at The Liszt Academy Great Hall and nobody was able to jump in. The concert was sold out and my teacher asked, “What am I going to do?” He kept talking for 20 minutes until I just interrupted him and said, “I’m going to jump in!” I did jump in and I played at the Liszt Academy Great Hall to a full house and it was after this concert that I was invited to Southeast Asia. Then when I was in my early twenties I wanted to be known in the US and had a dream to play at Carnegie Hall, so i went to North America. I went from one venue to another until I was discovered. I had two suitcases with me, one with a broken handle. My father created this rubber band and I could connect the rubber band to the front suitcase so I could pull the second suitcase. I was walking like a train all around the place and people laughed at me. I literally didn’t earn anything, I went from one friend to another sleeping on sofas.

Do you think pianists are sexy?
I certainly think being a pianist is very sexy. Music making requires a lot of sensitivity, eroticism, and the communication of honest and sometimes very deep emotions. When I’m in the audience I also want to like what I see of the performerit’s sometimes unfair, but that’s the truth. On a personal level, in high school there were 32 female classmates and just five guys—the ratio was completely in the girls’ favour. Some of them liked me but I did not really embrace that or realise that potential in my life, though the tables turned when I started to be comfortable about myself and be more successful as a pianist.

Most bizarre performance setting?
It has to be playing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.1 in Jakarta. There was no piano available at the only scheduled rehearsal and so we had to play a concert to the audience without having rehearsed.

Tell us more about your inspirational piano program.
The Adam Gyorgy Castle Castle Academy in Hungary and at the new academy launching in Bali this December has a manifesto that reads, “Inspiration, music, and technique”. This approach helps to develop our students’ musicianship and encourages them to develop so that they can be not only a better musician but also better person, and to practise this in their lives every day.

What’s your constant habit before a performance?
I like to meditate and get into my zone. If you prepare well, then there is not much to do before you perform. Most times, success depends on your longer preparation period and how much rest you get before a certain performance.

Is greatness achieved with 99 percent perspiration?
Greatness can be achieved by aiming at delivering 120 per cent on stage, though usually only 80 per cent comes out of it. What happens off stage is just as important.

Cheekiest gift you’ve received from a female fan?
Oh, I knew we were going to get here. [laughs] I have received books handwritten to me, pieces of clothing, my favourite chocolates and also interestingly detailed love letters…

What role would you like to play with your gift in music?
I think music is everything. Music is in everyone—it heals us; speaks for us; guides us; we move to the beat; we sing our sorrow and we cry to our favourite melodies. Creating raises the question if we can actually change the world and make it a better place. I don’t go for [anything] less. I believe I can. 

Three things world-class pianists have in common?
Dedication, passion and discipline.

Adam Gyorgy plays at the Esplanade Concert Hall on October 22. Tickets from $18-$118 from Sistic.

What do you think of all the talent you're up against in this tournament?
The talent that will be at the SCC 7s is tremendous, and a lot of the players are faster and fitter than us. I remember the humbling experience making my SCC 7s debut when I was just 18. This is just the tip of the iceberg and that there is so much more talent out there – so many great players to draw inspiration from and a myriad of ways to learn and grow.

How does this tournament bode for the rugby scene in Singapore?
A great source of inspiration for young players like myself. It really makes you want to become a better player, both physically and mentally. To be faster, fitter, and better—the best that you can possibly be.

Will there be anything different this year from previous years?
Each year’s competition is always slightly different – different teammates, match conditions and opponents. It’s always interesting to see how everyone has fared after a year of training. This year, our Singapore Cricket Club team will be striving to do our best, especially on our home soil. We really hope to give our supporters something to cheer about.

Is rugby development doing well in Singapore?
In recent years, with Sam Chan—director of rugby at Singapore Rugby Union—and Inoke Afeaki—Technical Director of Singapore Rugby Union—helming the rugby scene in Singapore, rugby development has progressed significantly. This year, the team has risen to new heights to a world ranking of 56; it’s the highest placing we’ve ever achieved. We’ve got to keep striving to take steps forward, grooming the younger generation, raising the profile of rugby in Singapore and continually strengthening the current team. Also, we need help from sponsors to help us grow the sport and take it to the next level.

What's worth changing to improve the local rugby scene?
Making rugby a semi-professional or professional sport. Singapore Sports Council has been very supportive of the sport, but we need more sponsors to help us grow the sport.

Is the size factor a crucial reason to Singapore’s international success?
I feel that for Singapore in particular, what is more crucial is the number of hours that the players put into training. What this essentially means is that they are able to eat, sleep and breathe rugby. In contrast, 90% of the players in Singapore have other responsibilities and demands – work or studies – in their lives that have to take precedence over rugby training. This means that we are not able to train as much as we ought to.

What’s your most horrific injury to date?
It'd have to be suffering a deep cut on my nose. While trying to tackle a New-Zealander opponent, the blade of his boot sliced into my nose. It took a total of 18 stitches by a plastic surgeon to repair my nose.

Rugby players really love their beer. Does it really go well after some intense physical exercise?
Beer is really just another part of the “Train Hard, Play Harder, Drink Even Harder” culture that makes this sport such a joy to be part of.

The Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s take place on 1-3 November at the Padang. Single-day passes from $15-$35 and three-day passes at $60 from Ticketbooth.