Xinyao is an abbreviated form of 新加坡歌谣 (“Singapore songs” in Mandarin), a genre that emerged in the early 1980s in local schools and college campuses. The first Xinyao album, Tomorrow 21, was released in 1984 to overwhelming success. This was followed by the first Xinyao festival in 1985. Among the well-known personalities of Xinyao are Eric Moo, Billy Koh, Liang Wern Fook, Roy Loi, Thomas Teo, Dawn Gan and Pan Ying.The Young Songwriters' Society was formed in May 1986. Comprising of members from several Xinyao groups, the Society aimed to promote their music. They also began to run the annual Xinyao festival that was organized by community centres.
