When the energetic 24 Festive Drums was first developed as an art form in Johor Bahru, it also represented the Chinese diaspora’s nostalgia for their homeland. The traditional drums, formations, calligraphy and 24 solar terms reflected the unity and spirit of their ancestors who migrated south over the past century. The peoples’ resilience and tenacity reverberated throughout the land, in tune with the drum beats. Now, JB Drums and Orang Orang Drum Theatre have joined hands to “Drum Up JB”, to reflect on the 24 Festive Drums’ roots in Johor Bahru. At the same time, they are searching for new meaning and interpretations in the face of ever-evolving identities and changing times.

"DRUM’S”, which premieres in October 2024, uses beats and rhythms to evoke emotions, summon memories and recall histories. Guided by the 24 solar terms and the rich heritage of traditional drums, “Drum’s” traces the changes in life perspectives over time.
The artists deconstruct and recombine landmark 24 Festive Drums performance pieces from past decades to enable the audience to witness the progression of the art form. They then draw their gaze back to their immediate surroundings, the realities of living in a multicultural environment, to explore what a “new” beat would sound like.

New generations of drummers are living heritage practitioners. “Drum’s” not only represents a record of how drums and the drummers’ identities are interwoven, but is also an extrapolation of the unwritten future. Talented guest director Yeo Lyle leads 24 drummers in harnessing rich traditions, movements and sounds to showcase the evolution of 24 Festive Drums, challenge boundaries, create bold new narratives, and showcase fresh interpretations of this traditional art form.