Trio who inspire local music
Clockenflap is in its sixth year and is Hong Kong’s liveliest music and arts scene
Back in the 1990s, what was there to hear in Hong Kong? Céline Deon, definitely, and Cantopop. Nothing wrong with that, well, the Cantopop bit, but Hongkongers deserved more diversity. It took a while, but five years ago, three men with a dream to bring more live music and festival atmosphere to the Hong Kong masses thought up Clockenflap.
Strange name, but great idea. And it just took off. Clockenflap, now in its sixth year, is Hong Kong’s liveliest music and arts scene for one weekend a year and the founders are predicting a sell out to up to crowds of up to 30,000 people across three days of live music and arts. But it’s not only bringing pleasure to the ears of tens of thousands of people. The three men are hoping that by inspiring local artists, within two years Hong Kong will produce a headline act.
The combination of big international bands, up and coming regional artists and unsigned acts and a host of other disciplines has brought music from across the cultural divide into the mainstream.
The festival is the brainchild of Jay Forster, Mike Hill and Justin Sweeting who back in 2008 set about introducing a genre of music to the masses.
Over the years, it has supported the tunes of many local Chinese bands and artists branching introducing new styles of music to new audiences.
The festival platform seems to be driving new musical ideas.
