Party away at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront with Clockenflap December 2023.
Hong Kong’s largest international music and arts festival returns of its 13th edition. Comprising six stages and an array of arts and culture activations, Clockenflap December 2023 pulls no punches in its delivery of star power and alternative performances, especially for its genre-bending fans.
For those in tune with the festival scene, Clockenflap has served to be one of Asia’s most prestigious — with international acts like Arctic Monkeys, Bombay Bicycle Club, Men I Trust and Wu-Tang Clan proliferating the March edition earlier this year. For the December reprise, festival-goers can anticipate an equally illustrious slew of acts to follow. Jam-packed into its three-day line-up are headliners Joji, Yoasobi and PULP (the latter of which will be performing as an Asia-exclusive), bolstered by music darlings — in the likes of Grammy-nominated Caroline Polachek, Taiwan indie band No Party For Cao Dong and hip-hop mainstays De La Soul.
The line-up can be best digested in breaking down the six stages of the festival; namely the Harbourflap, Orbit, Tommy, Electriq, Robot and Topper stages. Harbourflap, Clockenflap’s main stage, will host the most prolific of artists, including the festival’s headliners and internationally-beloved acts like post-punk IDLES. Orbit is a little faster and looser, designed to celebrate the variance of musical expression across genres. Here, festival-goers will find acts like Japanese girl-group Atarashii Gakko! and underground-sound Omnipotent Youth Society. The Electriq and Robot Stage will be attendees’ best bet for electronic music with acts like Peking Duk; though the latter stage will only commence its party sound after dark. Finally, the Tommy Stage — sponsored by fashion line Tommy Hilfiger — will showcase emerging talent, while Topper will maintain an emphasis on live sets between each Harbourflap act.
Below, discover all the world-class acts to catch at Clockenflap December 2023.
Joji
From the YouTube heyday of music figures, Joji, the pseudonym of George Kusunoki Miller, has gone on to earn acclaim and establish himself as a musician in his own right. Smithereens, his chart-topping 2022 release, cemented the Japanese singer-songwriter for an electrifying artistic vision that translates to both sound and visuals. Joji will headline the Harbourflap come December 3.
No Party For Cao Dong
Returning to the Hong Kong stage since 2018, No Party For Cao Dong is arguably one of the most anticipated acts to grace Clockenflap December 2023. Described to be “the voice for a pessimistic generation of Taiwanese youth”, the “The Clod” artists will be showcasing their indie-rock flair on Sunday, December 3.
Yoasobi
Yoasobi will be no stranger to J-Pop fans. Boasting a pert sound that synthesises pop, rock and electronica, the Japanese band comprising producer Ayase and singer-songwriter ikura will perform Friday, December 1.
Caroline Polachek
The Desire, I Want to Turn Into You singer runs in the same circles as Blood Orange, Charli XCX, Grimes and more. The adored songwriter-songstress, who has worked with Dua Lipa and The 1975, will perform Saturday, December 2.
bbno$
Vancouver-native bbno$ — the alias for Alexander Gumuchian — has raked up seven studio albums, three of which were done in conjunction with American trap artist Yung Gravy. An emerging act in the burgeoning Canadian hip-hop scene, bbno$ (pronounced baby no money, by the way) is set to go live Friday, December 1.
Atarashii Gakko!
Japanese girl quartet Atarashii Gakko! has earned acclaim for a buoyant sound, one that combines with distinct stage costuming of school uniforms and set dance routines to elucidate a high-energy, exhilarating aura. Members Mizyu, Rin, Suzuka and Kanon will be performing Saturday, December 2.
De La Soul
Ten years after their buzzy Clockenflap debut, hip-hop legends De La Soul are set to return, come Saturday, December 2. The New York-based collective who has been responsible for the major albums like 3 Feet High and Rising, are best known for toeing the line in both music production and evolving their sound.
Wednesday Campanella
Kenmochi Hidefumi, Dir.F and Utaha make up Wednesday Campanella — a group that boasts a cacophony-esque sound of EDM, J-Pop and hip-hop and a live-performance prowess. Beyond their brand of the theatrical and performative that will easily wow, the trio will now return on Sunday, 3 December, to showcase their new lead singer and a new live show.
Omnipotent Youth Society
Hebei-hailing Chinese rock act Omnipotent Youth Society has been credited for its influential hold on the genre — inspiring an entire generation since its 1996 debut. Fans can look forward to watch the alternative rock unit perform back-to-back with other seminal punk band The Fly, in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Omnipotent Youth Society will perform on Saturday, December 2.
Tilly Birds
“Third” Anuroth Ketlekha, “Billy” Nutdanai Chuchat and “Milo” Thuwanon Tantiwattanaworakul make up the burgeoning name of Tilly Birds. The Thai alternative rock trio debuted with success, in the shape of “Phu Diao” in 2020. Three years on, the group swept awards at Thailand’s 2021 TOTY Music Awards, and will now perform their first Clockenflap stage come Sunday, December 3.
IDLES
With Glastonbury and Coachella under their belt, Bristol rock band IDLES are set to make their first foray into Hong Kong’s largest music festival with an electrifying performance come Friday, December 1.
D4VD
Despite his age, D4VD — who is best known for his singles Here With Me and Romantic Homicide — has established himself with 1.5 billion listens on Spotify. The 18-year-old, otherwise known as David Anthony Burke, has developed a signature sound that melds both innovation and maturity that surpasses his age. He is set to perform Saturday, December 2.
Clockenflap December 2023 will be held from December 1-3. For the full line-up and to purchase tickets, head to the Clockenflap website. Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our November 2023 issue.
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