TOPIC

Hong Kong's music scene

Hong Kong's music scene
From boy band Mirror to the city's indie scene, get the latest musical updates from Hong Kong right here.
Pete Sabine, aka DJ Fabsabs (right), and Joshua Wolper DJ a Cantomania set at the after party for the Black Eyed Peas’ gig at the AXA x Wonderland, in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, on November 19 last year. Photo: Alan Yiu Photography
Cantopop

Where Hong Kong’s teens and an 88-year-old share the dance floor

As Leslie Cheung and Faye Wong echo through the nightclub, a love letter to Cantopop gives the city a space for joy and belonging.

Hong Kong culture

Editorial | Zhou Shen concerts a showcase of Hong Kong-mainland cultural ties

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Jordan Chan went from Hong Kong bad boy to patriotic family man in China

What to do in Hong Kong

The best New Year’s Eve countdown parties in Hong Kong for ringing in 2026

Highlights include DJ Willer at The Aubrey, DJ Anil Ahuja at The Trilogy, and South Korea’s DJ Drako at Gossip.

Terrible Baby at Eaton HK is throwing a Back to the Future party on New Year’s Eve. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong

How Cantopop created Hong Kong’s own Christmas soundtrack

Joyful and jubilant, melancholic and mournful … the marriage of Cantopop and Christmas has resulted in a unique musical genre with a very Hong Kong vibe.

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | The bold reinvention of 1990s Hong Kong sex symbol Veronica Yip

Veronica Yip posed topless for a Hong Kong magazine and acted in erotic films before becoming a pop singer, TV fixture and a tycoon’s wife.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Wicked songs in Cantonese? New online series champions Hong Kong talent

Songs like ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling’ have been painstakingly translated for the ‘Wicked in Canto’ series on YouTube and Instagram.

videocam
Singers Chloe Wong (left) and Marco Tang are part of the 17-person troupe responsible for “Wicked in Canto”, a series of videos featuring songs from the global musical phenomenon performed in Cantonese. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | Cantopop icon Alan Tam: from Leslie Cheung’s rival to fans smashing albums

‘Principal Tam’ ruled Cantopop in the late 1970s and ’80s but later vexed fans with his offstage actions. Still, he’s going strong today.

Hong Kong

Who to watch at Clockenflap 2025

Hong Kong’s favourite music spectacular is back from December 5 to 7 – here are our highlights to pencil into your festival diary.

Music

Why Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos loves playing in Hong Kong

Franz Ferdinand are appearing at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap festival in December and vocalist Alex Kapranos is glad to be coming back.

videocam
Franz Ferdinand’s lead vocalist and lead guitarist Alex Kapranos will return to Hong Kong in December with the band to perform at Clockenflap 2025. Photo: Clockenflap
Hong Kong

For Hong Kong’s outsiders, zines offer what the city doesn’t – space, dignity and voice

At workshops and festivals, some are embracing DIY publishing as a slower, more human way to find connection and tell their stories.

A zine in progress by singer-songwriter Cheryl Chow, aka Cehryl. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Jazz great Dianne Reeves brings the house down at Hong Kong return show

With her commanding stage presence, huge vocal range and some top-notch backing, Dianne Reeves delivered a soulful, polished performance.

On Our Radar

Slow mornings, island air and 30-plus acts: CT Music Fest rethinks the formula

CT Music Fest heads to the Saiyuen campsite for 3 days of close listening, community vibes and a Hong Kong-first artist lineup.

Music

The Hong Kong Cantopop drummer helping revive the genre with his DJ sets

Stephane Wong drummed for Cantopop stars Eason Chan and Joey Yung in the 2000s. Now, his DJ discos are helping Hongkongers reminisce.

Stephane Wong in Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. The drummer-DJ fuses 1980s hits with electronic music at his Cantopop disco parties. Photo: Jonathan Wong
New Openings

Hong Kong new openings, from new music venue Tides to a pet club in West Kowloon

Italian pasticceria Cova reopens in Pacific Place, a new pickleball venue offers four indoor courts, and pets come first at WestK Pet Club.

WestK Pet Club offers pet-friendly bicycle rentals, among other things. Photo: courtesy West Kowloon Cultural District
My Life

He plays music with his elbows and brings skateboard tricks into his performances

Steve Hui Ngo-shan reflects on his journey from teen raver to Hong Kong’s leading sound artist. He even writes operas.

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How actor Anthony Wong survived terrible films, ‘shut out’ by mainland China

From humble beginnings, Anthony Wong overcame adversity to become one of Hong Kong’s top actors and a man unafraid to speak out.

77
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Your Perfect Week

The best things to do in Hong Kong, November 2-8

Enjoy cabaret at Maggie Choo’s, revel in a festival of jazz in West Kowloon or tuck into some prime beef at Carna.

Central bar Maggie Choo’s is bringing a fresh cabaret experience to Hong Kong. Photo: courtesy Maggie Choo’s
Music

The story of Lamma Fun Day, Hong Kong’s longest-running free music festival

Taking place this year on November 15 and featuring its biggest line-up, LFD raises money to support youth projects and initiatives in Nepal.

videocam
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Shirley Kwan, Cantopop’s complex ‘queen of cool’, is a star like no other

Kwan experienced a meteoric rise followed by an artistic metamorphosis in the 1990s, before personal struggles began to take the spotlight.

videocam
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why new documentary on Beyond’s Wong Ka-kui only tells part of the story

Because of You – Ka Kui, about the life of the Hong Kong frontman, is marred by the same issues that tore Beyond apart after his death.

Wong Ka-kui in a still from Because of You – Ka Kui. The new documentary tells the story – albeit an incomplete one – of the late frontman of Beyond, widely considered Hong Kong’s most influential band ever.
New Openings

Hong Kong’s newest openings, from Tempura Nagaoka to Bakehouse at The Peak

Tempura Nagaoka brings Fukuoka’s street-stall culture to Causeway Bay, while Bakehouse now offers cityscape views with your egg tart.

Siu Siu blends fiery teppan grilling with playful twists on Japanese favourites. Photo: Siu Siu
First Mention

When rumours swirled around the cause of Cantopop star Danny Chan’s death

Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh, Anita Mui and Pansy Ho attended his funeral. It was speculated that attempted suicide, Aids or a drug overdose caused his death.

Hong Kong economy

New Hong Kong concert venue 70% booked until year end

1,500-capacity Tides venue in Whampoa fills a demand gap for facilities of this size in city, operator says.

My Life

Andrew Tuason on his music career alongside Cantopop’s biggest stars

The record producer, composer and band leader discusses learning his craft from his father and working with Jacky Cheung and Andy Lau.

Andrew Tuason in his Hong Kong studio during rehearsals for his upcoming tour in San Francisco. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Early Music Festival celebrates grand sounds of the Baroque

The October festival will feature four concerts and over 20 players, with fresh music and unusual crossovers between genres and cultures.

Hong Kong Early Music Festival founder and artistic director Karen Yeung (centre), composer Lee Wai-shan (left) and pipa player Mavis Lam will perform at the four-day festival in October. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Hong Kong’s ‘Fat Mama’ Maria Cordero went from Cantopop to controversy

The Macau-born singer, actor and TV chef was a beloved star from the 1980s to the 2000s, but more recently her politics have divided opinion.

videocam
8
Centre Stage

This director of music wants you to listen differently

The Oakland native moved to Hong Kong in 2010 and started the XXX Gallery. Now he curates a listening experience for thoughtful Hongkongers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement