Singaporean vocal ensemble The Island Voices has won praise online after delivering a stirring a cappella rendition of Majulah Singapura at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix.
The performance took place on Sunday (Oct 11) at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, where drivers and spectators stood together as the familiar national anthem rang out ahead of the race.
Without instrumental accompaniment, the ensemble’s layered vocals built into a powerful harmony, giving the national anthem a fresh interpretation while retaining its recognisable melody.
Footage of the performance was subsequently shared online, drawing enthusiastic reactions from viewers who praised the singers’ vocal control and arrangement.
One TikTok user wrote, “I’m getting the chills! Wow,” while others described the rendition as beautiful and expressed hope that the group would perform at future National Day Parades.
Local singer-songwriter Benjamin Kheng also showed his support, commenting that the performance would have made the anthem’s composer, Zubir Said, proud.
A Singaporean group with a growing profile
The Island Voices is an award-winning vocal collective known for its performances at major national events.
The group made its debut at Singapore’s National Day Parade in 2022 and returned in 2023. It also featured as an official vocalist for the 2025 National Day theme song, Here We Are.
For the 2026 Grand Prix, founder Owen Li said he had been working on the anthem’s vocal arrangement since August. He and fellow member Emmeline also incorporated what they described as Singaporean “Easter eggs” into the arrangement.
The group called the opportunity to perform the national anthem at the Grand Prix its “greatest honour”.
A memorable moment beyond the race
The Singapore Grand Prix is known for combining high-speed racing with the city’s entertainment and cultural offerings. The national anthem performance provides a moment for the host country to take centre stage before the sporting spectacle begins.
More than 300,000 fans attended the 2026 race weekend from Oct 9 to 11, making it the event’s second-highest cumulative attendance to date, according to the report.
While Max Verstappen went on to claim victory in the race, The Island Voices’ performance gave spectators another moment to remember — one that celebrated Singapore’s musical talent and national identity on an international stage.
