Philip Lim - Toa Payoh Bus Interchange - 1 May 2025
I look left, look right, look left, look right, for new busking locations.
Four new busking locations were opened on the first of May 2025, with two located in MRT stations (Bukit Panjang and Punggol), and two located in bus interchanges (Toa Payoh and Eunos). And today, we're going to look left and right at the first buskers to perform at three of these new locations.
(Speaking of which, not only was it the Labour Day holiday, it was also the final day of campaigning of the General Elections - Probably we might be able to catch GE candidates doing their final walkabouts?)
First up, we have Uncle Philip as the first busker at Toa Payoh Bus Interchange. This interchange is located at the heart of Toa Payoh Town Centre, and serves as a terminus for 19 bus services and as a looping point for one bus service (service 73). It is also the first air-conditioned bus interchange in Singapore (having opened in 2002), being integrated with the HDB Hub next door, and paved the way for more Integrated Transport Hubs over the next two decades.
The song I have picked from this busking session is, undoubtedly, First of May (originally performed by the Bee Gees) - which is also the first Bee Gees song covered in Busking Chase Season 2. The song itself is about aging and enduring love, and it is a nostalgic look at the passage of time and the changes of life. The title of the song came from the birthday of Barry Gibb's dog Barnaby. Closer to home, local singer Olivia Ong (of 如燕 fame) covered the song as part of her album Fall in Love With.
(Side note: The Bee Gees were a musical group comprising of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, and were prominent performers in the disco music era during the 1970s. Robin and Maurice have since passed on, leaving the eldest brother Barry as the only surviving original member of the group.)
First of May (originally performed by the Bee Gees)
Toa Payoh Bus Interchange is a busking location open daily, 10a.m. - 2p.m.
The photos/videos were taken in May 2025, before the relocation of the original busking spot. It has since moved to a spot near berth B3 (serving bus services 73, 230M, 232 & 235) from June 2025.
Nearest MRT: Toa Payoh (NS19) (take Exit A)
