Reformed American electronic-rock band LCD Soundsystem and influential 1970s funk legends George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic are the latest big-name additions to the line-up of Clockenflap, which will this year be held on the Central Harbourfront for the first time. LCD Soundsystem, led by frontman James Murphy, were one of the standout acts in the dance-punk movement that emerged after the turn of the millennium, and released three albums and garnered three Grammy nominations before bowing out in 2011. Since reforming last year, they have made headline performances at festivals including Coachella and Glastonbury, and their appearance at Clockenflap will be the band’s only gig in Asia all year. Asia’s music festival fans can’t get enough, but can the frenzy last? Meanwhile, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic emerged towards the end of the 1960s and pioneered a tough, psychedelic style of sci fi-influenced funk. The huge, sprawling collective also included the influential bass player Bootsy Collins, one of James Brown’s more notable sidemen. Also announced in the latest wave of acts are Japanese indie pop band Sekai no Owari, Canadian jazz/hip-hop outfit BadBadNotGood and Berlin techno DJ/producer Rodhad. The latest bands join a host of A-list artists already confirmed for the festival – to be held from November 25-27 – including Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Ros, British indie rockers Foals, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Cheer Chen and Canadian experimental outfit Crystal Castles. Clockenflap had been staged at West Kowloon Cultural District since 2011, but now has to make way for the construction of arts and cultural facilities planned for the waterfront Kowloon site. Organisers say the new Central venue could be even bigger than the space in Kowloon used for the festival, and will have the same capacity. About 60,000 visitors attended last year’s event. For more information about Clockenflap, visit www.clockenflap.com
