The first guitar riff split the night air like a spark, and suddenly, NUS UTown Green was ablaze with music and uncontainable energy. Crowd voices rose in cheers, swaying to the rhythm. For the audience, it was pure start-of-semester magic, an evening where campus life came alive in its fullest colour.
For the performers, it was the chance of a lifetime. And for the student leaders who had spent months behind the scenes, it was the culmination of every sleepless night, every decision fought for, and every ounce of heart they poured into SUPERNOVA.
But behind every note and every cheer lay months of unseen labour: countless hours of rehearsals and the unwavering dedication of a team of student organisers who poured their heart and soul into the BIG August event.
Setting the stage
Preparation for the show had begun way back in February 2025, with live auditions on 23 April. A full day saw aspiring performers give their all before a panel of judges. From that moment, the clock was ticking.
For project director Liaw Jun Hao (Y3, FASS), who had once stood on the SUPERNOVA 2024 stage himself, this milestone year carried a special weight.
“When I joined the organising committee of SUPERNOVA, my main goal was to do something for the band community. There aren’t many opportunities for bands to perform on such a large stage with professional production. I wanted them to walk away with something they could be proud of.”
That vision became the heartbeat of the show.
The organising team pushed for better sound, stronger lighting, professional media support, and even memento shirts for every performer. Yet the journey was anything but smooth. Balancing the creative freedom of performers with the logistical and safety demands of the university meant tough calls at every turn.
“Making such a big-scale production always involves many moving parts,” Jun Hao reflected. “Seven minutes of performance can take 700 hours of planning. Performing is hard, but organising is even harder. Show some love to the crew, because they make it possible.”
Steering the chaos
The responsibility didn’t rest on his shoulders alone. Show managers Koh Tzee Yen and Lim Kai Ling, both final-year FASS students from the NUS Students’ Cultural Activities Club (CAC), steered the intricate planning process. From drafting SUPERNOVA terms and conditions, coordinating video audition submissions, and sequencing stage line-ups to keeping backstage chaos under control, they did it all.
“We started with understanding the focus of what SUPERNOVA means to students and student life,” Kai Ling explained. “That guided the type of performances we included and helped us make realistic decisions with limited time and resources.”
The intensity was sometimes overwhelming.
“The most intense moments weren’t what the audience saw,” Kai Ling recalled. “They were the frantic minutes behind the curtain, making sure every performer was ready for their seven minutes on stage.”
And yet, there was deep meaning in the unseen.
“Simply because the show will not run without the organising crew,” Tzee Yen added. “While the audience’s eyes are on stage, the backbone of the show is behind it. The appreciation we receive keeps us going.”
A network of support
Behind the students stood a dedicated network of staff who believed in their potential. Ebelle Chong from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) played a pivotal role in coaching the team, guiding them through tough calls while letting them take the lead. They were also supported by the University Campus and Infrastructure (UCI)’s Campus Events Unit, led by Rajavarman S/O Mathichandran, whose expertise in show production and staging not only ensured professional standards but also gave students valuable exposure to the technical side of bringing a large-scale production to life.
The show impact extended online and beyond the stage, thanks to an entire team of art directors, motion graphic designer, videographers, and photographers. From crafting social media content to designing stage assets, they ensured the SUPERNOVA brand lived on in every post and pixel. Ng Wei Jie (Y2, FASS) embraced the opportunity when his senior, Jun Hao, casually approached him on Telegram.
“I didn’t know what I was signing up for but agreed to it anyway,” he admitted. Under the guidance of the OSA Communications Team, Wei Jie led a team of 10 student creatives, channelling the show’s energy into visuals that captured the spirit of SUPERNOVA across campus.
Meanwhile, the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) volunteers powered up the carnival, creating a vibrant festival around the concert itself. Food stalls, freebies corners, and buzzing crowds transformed SUPERNOVA into more than just a concert. It became a full-campus celebration. NUSSU leaders also stepped in to broker sponsorship agreements, ensuring the show had resources to match its ambition.
The best audience experiences
The impact was felt deeply by the audience.
“SUPERNOVA is a core memory for my friends and me. We’ll cherish this experience for many years to come,” said Niladri Saha Saccha (Y1, PhD CDE), attending the concert for the very first time.
Ryan Hon (Y4, FASS), chimed in: “As an arts enthusiast myself, I really enjoyed seeing my friends and peers perform on stage – pursuing their passion and living their dreams."
The legacy of leadership
SUPERNOVA has grown with every passing year, each one surpassing the last. What started as a “Woodstock-inspired” rock concert has become a defining symbol of the NUS spirit.
Student leaders here aren’t motivated by tangible incentives; they are driven by the thrill of creating something bigger than themselves.
“The production crew is never against you,” Jun Hao clarified. “If something isn’t done, there’s usually a practical reason, not because we don’t care. Seeing performers shine is why we do this.”
The hours of work also brought unexpected lessons.
“The words of encouragement from performers and audience members mean more than people realise,” said Tzee Yen. “It signals to us that the countless meetings and late nights were worth it.”
And the personal growth was immeasurable.
“This is the biggest production I’ve ever done,” Jun Hao reflected. “I’ve grown more resilient, better at managing people, better at balancing firmness with empathy. These are things you can’t learn in a classroom.”
That is perhaps SUPERNOVA’s legacy.
Not just the event vibes, or even the carnival thrills, but the resilience and empathy forged in every student who dares to step up and lead.
As the lights dimmed and the echoes of music lingered over UTown, the performers carried home their memories, the audience carried home their pride, and the student organisers carried home the satisfaction of knowing that they had created not just an event, but a legacy.
Relive the memories here
SUPERNOVA: Rising Star is proudly co-presented by the Office of Student Affairs and University Campus Infrastructure and organised by NUS Students’ Union and Cultural Activities Club.
SUPERNOVA is always looking for passionate students to serve. If you want to be part of the next edition and shape new memories that last a lifetime, write to supernova@nus.edu.sg for details.
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