What to expect from Clockenflap 2024, Hong Kong’s music and arts festival

From November 29 to December 1, the weekend promises exciting music from former White Stripes member Jack White, indie darling St Vincent, rapper Central Cee, English rock band Suede, and many more

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The Clockenflap music festival has come a long way since 2008, becoming one of the biggest events on Hong Kong’s social calendar. Photo: Sun Yeung

SCMP Reporter

Published: 5:46pm, 22 Nov 2024Updated: 10:17am, 25 Nov 2024

The United States might have Lollapalooza, but here in Hong Kong, we have our own tongue-twisting music festival, too. Clockenflap, arguably the biggest event on the city’s social calendar, has come a long way since 2008, when the inaugural outing entertained 1,500 people over a single day at Cyberport.

The Clockenflap music festival is back at Central Harbourfront this year. Pictured is 2022’s iteration. Photo: Clockenflap

Next weekend, with braggadocio earned after entertaining upwards of 87,000 people last year, the music festival is back at Central Harbourfront, offering headliners such as former White Stripe Jack White, British rapper Central Cee, French moog-masters Air, Britpop-embryos Suede and our chameleon cover-star St. Vincent. As always, Clockenflap is propped up by a legion of up-and-comers and more niche names, like J-pop singer Yama and Chengdu post-punk act Hiperson.

Friday night sets things up with Canadian electro-rockers Mother Mother, then finishes things off with the higher-tempo alternative headliner to Air and the Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts. Saturday and Sunday are packed with hours of genres, from the region and further afield, like Belfast-born, Cantonese-singing Mui Zyu and Hong Kong fashion photographer-turned-electro-jazz turntablist DJ Kulu.

The Arctic Monkeys perform at Clockenflap in 2023. Photo: Sun Yeung

Beyond music across the festival’s six stages, a range of art installations and experiences include an 800-metre-long balloon chain and a collection of abstract and psychedelic films. For the younger audience, there’s family-focused activities such as kids’ yoga, a drum jam and arts and crafts workshops.

This year, with 24 options in all, food spans the spectrum from barbecue by Smoke & Barrel and Indian street food by Bengal Brothers to the much-beloved gua bao-inspired burgers from Little Bao. Ever curious what Pizza Hut as a cha chaan teng would look like? Maybe not, but now you can find out.

The crowd goes crazy at Clockenflap festival in Hong Kong, in 2023. Photo: Clockenflap

Only a few more days to get your festival looks ready to check off another year of Clockenflap.