Eight must-see Hong Kong gigs in early 2018: from Imagine Dragons to Rita Ora to Katy Perry
Witness the return of Imagine Dragons, Rita Ora, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The xx John Legend and The Chainsmokers and debuts from The Chameleons Vox and Katy Perry
Here are eight gigs you shouldn’t miss.
The Chameleons Vox
The Chameleons were an English post-punk band from Middleton, Greater Manchester, who formed in 1981 and released six albums of alternative rock and dreamy pop before calling it quits in 2003. With a new backing band, original singer and bassist Mark Burgess continues to play the band’s music under the name Chameleons Vox.
Jan 5, 7.30pm, Music Zone, Kitec, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay HK$680 (door)
Imagine Dragons
These American pop-rockers from Las Vegas have built up a devoted following in Hong Kong during their previous visits, and their legion of local fans will be flocking to AsiaWorld-Expo in less than two weeks. Imagine Dragons are now on a world tour to promote Evolve, their third studio album released in June last year.
Jan 13, 8pm, AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport HK$388-HK$888, HK Ticketing
The Kosovo-born, London-raised pop singer performed in the Landmark, Central, towards the end of 2015 and is now returning for her first large-scale show in Hong Kong. As she prepares to release her second album, Ora has been announced as the headline artist for Billboard Radio concerts at the AIA Great European Carnival from January 14 to 20.
Jan 18, 8pm, Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central HK$750, HK$850, HK Ticketing
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
After playing at the 2011 and 2015 editions of Clockenflap, the Brooklyn indie-rockers are returning for their first headline show in Hong Kong. The band, who revolve around founding member and songwriter Kip Berman, are now on the road to promote their fourth album, The Echo of Pleasure.
Jan 24, 7.30pm, Music Zone, Kitec, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay HK$490, Ticketflap
The xx
Tickets to this English indie/electronic trio’s debut Hong Kong concert at Star Hall sold out in 2013, so for their second local gig The xx are taking on AsiaWorld-Expo next month. It’s been a year since the band released their third album, I See You, which hit No 2 on the US charts, and they still hold the record for the longest run of sold-out shows at the Brixton Academy (seven consecutive nights).
Feb 1, 7.30pm, AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport HK$720, Ticketflap
John Legend
The 10-time Grammy winner last appeared in Hong Kong more than a decade ago, and will be making his comeback as part of his Darkness and Light world tour, named after the American singer’s fifth studio album, released in 2016. Almost two decades into his career, Legend continues to win new fans thanks to his work on the soundtrack to films such as La La Land and Beauty and the Beast.
Mar 10, 8pm, AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport HK$480-HK$1,280, HK Ticketing
The Chainsmokers
The DJ/production duo of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall have become one of the hottest acts in the world of electronic dance music (EDM) in recent years, releasing the smash hit collaborative single Something Just Like This with Coldplay earlier this year. The duo last appeared in Hong Kong in 2015 at the large-scale Don’t Let Daddy Know dance music event alongside fellow EDM icons Skrillex and Laidback Luke.
Mar 27, 8pm, AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport HK$388-HK$988, HK Ticketing
Katy Perry
The US pop star will finally be making her debut in Hong Kong this March, after skipping the city in favour of two shows in Macau during her last Asia tour in 2015. Her 2018 tour, which also takes in Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok and Jakarta, is being held in support of Perry’s latest album, Witness, released in June last year.
Mar 30, 8pm, AsiaWorld-Expo, HK International Airport HK$588-HK$1,888, HK Ticketing
