OVERDRIVE: Serving art on a shared canvas

On a typical afternoon at NUS, you might hear the beats of a band rehearsing at Yusof Ishak House, chance upon dancers practising at UTown’s mirrors, or walk past an arts installation in Central Library (CLB). Now imagine it all — music, dance, poetry and photography — coming together in one shared space, from mid-afternoon to nightfall.

This is OVERDRIVE, a free flagship day-to-night arts carnival running from 3–10pm on Wed 11 Mar at CLB Forum. Led by the NUS Students’ Cultural Activities Club (CAC), and one of the 28 programmes in this year’s NUS Arts Festival (NAF), OVERDRIVE brings together 88 performers and 15 visual and literary artists from across faculties, residences and student collectives to spark interdisciplinary collaboration and co-curricular learning.

CAC is a non-faculty club under NUS Students’ Union, dedicated to promoting arts and culture on campus.

In a festival defined by encounters and intersections, OVERDRIVE embodies that spirit most vividly. OSA spoke with CAC’s Kenneth Sze (Y3, College of Design and Engineering) and Koh Tzee Yen (Y4, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) on how this ambitious gathering came together and why this year’s edition is one not to miss.

OSA: In a nutshell, what is OVERDRIVE?

Kenneth (Vice Project Director, Programming, OVERDRIVE): OVERDRIVE is about bringing the arts to the masses. By showcasing performing groups and student artists beyond those managed by CFA (Centre for the Arts), we provide a platform for more students to present their work at NAF.

MADreamers is a vibrant and creative rap team who will be present at OVERDRIVE. They were featured at last year’s Supernova.

OSA: What are some new elements of OVERDRIVE’s programming?

Tzee Yen (Project Director of OVERDRIVE): As OVERDRIVE is CAC’s flagship event, we want it to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of arts talent on campus. Last year, we featured many live bands. This year, you can expect visual and literary arts alongside various performing arts.

Late last year, we sent an open call to the entire NUS population and heard back from student artists across faculties, residences, interest groups and informal collectives.

We have expanded the range of performances to include dance and cultural music. In between sets, visit our visual and literary arts exhibition, which includes a collaborative graffiti installation wall where you can leave your mark.

DJ and music producer vylt is one of many musicians in the OVERDRIVE lineup.

OSA: What are some artists we can look forward to?

Kenneth: Our lineup includes independent artists and bands from Halls and Residences. One highlight is the NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble, known for strong performances and recently recognised with the NUS Achievement Awards (NAA) for the Performing Arts Group of the Year (Distinction).

Tzee Yen: Expect crowd favourites from last year’s Supernova such as vylt and MADreamers, as well as emerging bands from NUS Amplified — lumina and TestosterTones.

NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble will perform at OVERDRIVE for the first time. They were the Distinction recipient of Performing Arts Group of the Year at NAA 2025.

OSA: Tell us more about the artworks on display at OVERDRIVE.

Tzee Yen: The first is a visual and literary arts exhibition showcasing student artists’ interpretations of the concept of ‘identity’. It spans a range of expressions — from distinctly Singaporean icons such as the outline of our map and photographs of HDB flats, to poems exploring the complex emotions tied to one’s sense of self.

We also have a collaborative art installation simply named OVERDRIVE. It is partially covered with graffiti designed by our art installation team using paint and markers. Audience members are invited to add to the design as they wish. The wall becomes a shared canvas — offering artistic freedom and the chance to contribute to a growing collective artwork.

We hope these works invite audiences to discover new art forms, while encouraging engagement in self-expression through the arts.

OSA: Lastly, why should everyone attend OVERDRIVE?

Tzee Yen: There is something for everyone — the public included — whether you are interested in music, from chill lo-fi beats to metal and pop bands, dance, or the fine arts and photography. It is also an opportunity to gather with friends after class while enjoying free activities and giveaways such as a photobooth, ice cream and nachos.

As with last year, OVERDRIVE audience members can enjoy free snacks, such as ice-cream and nanchos, available while stocks last.

OSA: If you could describe OVERDRIVE as a food item, what would it be?

Kenneth: We have just celebrated the Year of the Horse, so the first thing that comes to mind is Lo Hei, or raw fish salad. I would describe OVERDRIVE as a mix of many ingredients that can be enjoyed separately — you might not think they belong together until you try them. Traditionally, a rock band and a fine acrylic artwork are experienced in completely different settings. Here, they come together to form one cohesive event.

Join us at OVERDRIVE