Disco demise: navigating cultural conflict and identity in Singapore's anti-yellow culture campaign

Abstract

From 1966 to 1973, Singapore's disco scene flourished, marking a vibrant yet contentious chapter in its cultural history as discos, embodying the allure of Western culture, captivated young Singaporeans with promises of freedom and a taste of modern life. However, this enchantment was not without controversy; government and media narratives often depicted these venues as centres of drug abuse and moral decline, framing them as culprits for deeper societal anxieties. This paper explores how, beyond their role as entertainment venues, discos mirrored and magnified significant cultural tensions within Singapore, especially among the youth who saw them as platforms for expression in a rapidly modernising nation. As the disco era waned, it revealed a broader cultural rift between traditional Asian values and burgeoning Western influences. Supported by an analysis of newspaper articles, oral histories, and scholarly publications, this study argues that the rise and eventual decline of discos offer a unique lens through which to examine how Singapore navigated the complex interplay between maintaining traditional values and embracing Western modernity during a pivotal era of change.