Nine Hong Kong bands to see at city’s biggest music festival, Clockenflap, from electronic acts to rockabilly
- Established live favourites such as post-punk group David Boring and singer-songwriter Kevin Kaho Tsui again take to the stage at Central Harbourfront
- They are among 52 Hong Kong acts on this year’s line-up. These are the ones you shouldn’t miss
The 2019 edition of Hong Kong’s biggest music festival, Clockenflap, will feature big international acts such as Mumford and Sons, Halsey, Lil Pump and Bombay Bicycle Club, but it will also showcase many of the city’s best home-grown bands.
In total, there are 52 Hong Kong acts listed on the line-up.
1. Ball of Snakes
Post-hardcore five-piece Ball of Snakes have a sound as aggressive as their name suggests. Mainstays at punk nights across the city, the group combines harsh vocals with overdriven guitar, and provoke mayhem and reckless dancing wherever they play.
2. Room 307
Fresh from supporting Canadian group Alvvays during their return to Hong Kong this year, dream pop musician Allex Chan, aka Room307, will make his first appearance at Clockenflap.
Draped in sunny nostalgia yet sounding totally on-trend, Chan and his quirky aesthetic will grace the Red Bull stage on Sunday afternoon.
3. Ghostly Park
One of the most exciting debuts of the year, electronic duo Ghostly Park made their live debut at the Sonar Hong Kong festival in April after releasing their album, Identify, in February.
The two producers harness the identity and energy of the city they call home with frenetic beats, pulsing visuals and an undercurrent of dark dub.
4. Matt Force
Rapper Matt Force’s addictive flow earned him a second booking at Clockenflap this year after his debut in 2017.
Dissonant, jazz-inflected beats swirl in the background as Force raps about social issues with a style heavily influenced by ’90s hip-hop. Force is a leading voice within Hong Kong’s home-grown hip-hop scene as it hones its image and individuality.
5. DJ Freckles
Hip-hop, dancehall, funk and house are all genres that surface within DJ Freckles’ hypnotic mixes.
Also known as Jerry Haha, the multimedia artist, who expresses his creativity through photography and graphic design as well as music, brings colourful, family-friendly bops to events across the world.
Get down early on Saturday to soak up some sunshine.
6. Science Noodles
Named after a popular brand of Taiwanese instant noodles, Science Noodles are a lo-fi, laid-back group specialising in a throwback ’90s shoegaze sound.
Formed when a Hong Kong guitarist matched with a Taiwanese singer on Tinder, the band will appeal to fans of bands such as Diiv and Sonic Youth.
7. Clave
Opening the main Harbourflap Stage, tight neo-soul outfit Clave will launch Saturday’s schedule on a chilled note.
Blending R&B, funk, soul and pop, the band combine catchy motifs with smooth vocals, an irresistible groove – and a little jazz flute for good measure.
8. Linda Chow
With its expanded welcome of local acts this year, Clockenflap also make space for outsider musicians such as Linda Chow.
Baby-cute vocals, downbeat tempos and solemn melodies make for a kitsch yet eerie mix. With a sound that bounces from acoustic to synths, it’s hard to define Chow’s genre and there’s a definite sense we haven’t witnessed this young performer’s full potential yet.
9. The Boogie Playboys
Japan gets all the attention for its rockabilly scene, but Hong Kong’s long-standing, party-starting crew The Boogie Playboys hit all the right retro notes with their matching Roy Orbison-style suits, greased quiffs and slap-back rock sound that is straight out of a 1956 diner – with a Cantonese twist.
