JUDGING from the numbers alone, this year's Singfest was a knockout.

Organised by Midas Promotions, the two-day outdoor festival - which ran over the weekend at Fort Canning Green - drew a staggering 17,000 people, compared to 9,000 at its inaugural show.

The line-up was also more impressive, with 18 international acts, most of them A-listers.

This compares to 14 global names last year, which included Pet Shop Boys, Sugar Ray, Cyndi Lauper, Shaggy and Gym Class Heroes.

And while there were only two regional acts last year, this year saw an impressive 18 Singapore bands and DJs, including Plainsunset, Allura and West Grand Boulevard.

For sure, Singfest has undoubtedly upped the bar for Singapore's concert scene. But just as we celebrate its success, we need to ask tough questions if it is to develop.

Two issues come to mind: Where does Singfest fit within the regional concert circuit? What can it improve on?

For a start, the line-up is, at best, eclectic, but at worst, schizophrenic.

Indeed, no one could deny it was a little odd to have risque dance revue act Pussycat Dolls come on before established R&B heavyweight Keys.

And let's face it: What does 1980s has-been Rick Astley have anything to do in a line-up that includes Travis and the wry American pop band Panic At The Disco?

Eclecticism should not be at the expense of thematic coherence. In any festival, as organisers know, the choice of act and pacing are key.

The Glastonbury Festival in England two months ago was initially criticised for including rapper Jay-Z as a headliner in the legendary event, which is known for showcasing rock bands.

Organisers have since said they will stick to more traditional fare for 2009. This, despite Jay-Z being a hit with fans and critics in the end.

Bjork was also hard-hit at Australia's Big Day Out in January.

The Icelandic pop star was scheduled right before American hardcore band Rage Against The Machine. Rage fans booed Bjork as she performed in Melboune, according to online forums.

That could have been Astley, who looked clearly out of his element performing to the slightly bemused crowd of mainly teens and 20- to 30-year-olds.

In short, Singfest needs to work on the logic of its line-up.

For one, Jason Mraz's fabulous live set would have been a better opener for Keys instead of the raunchy Pussycat Dolls, who used pre-recorded music.

Of course, you may say I'm nitpicking and that Singfest - which was a fantastic weekend out nonetheless - is still in its infancy.

In time to come, it may well turn out to be a force to be reckoned with, complementing the Esplanade's Mosaic Music Festival.

The latter, which is in its fifth year, has become a regional magnet, thanks to its organisers' willingness to think outside the box.

It has attracted the likes of established acts such as funk legend George Clinton, as well as indie stars such as Norwegian crooner Sondre Lerche. This year, it drew 97,000 people in 10 days.

Its key to success? Good planning and far-sighted vision.

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