Explainer | Clockenflap December 2023: stage guide, the food, drink and activities on offer, how to pay for things and how to get there – everything you need to know
- Hong Kong’s premier music and art festival Clockenflap will take place on the Central Harbourfront for the second time in nine months, from December 1-3
- From the musical acts playing on each stage to what to eat or drink and do to how to pay for things, how to get there and what to bring, we’ve got you covered
The second Clockenflap festival of the year gets under way on Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront on December 1.
For those wanting to attend the three-day music and arts event and who haven’t got a ticket yet, single-day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are still available.
For those who are going, here’s what you need to know.
1. Music
Where is the main stage?
Want to explore something unique?
The Orbit Stage in between the Harbourflap Stage and the Craft Market will feature artists of a wide spectrum of styles, genres and countries.
These include Taiwanese indie rock band No Party For Cao Dong, mainland Chinese underground heroes Omnipotent Youth Society, Japanese all-girl pop quartet Atarashii Gakko!, UK indie darlings Yard Act, and hotly tipped North American urban acts including BBNO$ and d4vd.
The Tommy Stage at the back of the venue – walk through the Craft Market and past the Robot Stage and Electriq Stage to reach it – will feature edgier, emerging talent including Otoboke Beaver, Homeshake, Yack Studio and Idiotape.
Into electronic music?
The Topper Stage, Electriq Stage and Robot Stage are all for electronic-music fans.
The Topper Stage is next to the Harbourflap Stage. It first appeared at the March 2023 edition of the festival, with a focus on edgy-yet-accessible electronic music from across the globe.
The featured line-up this time includes DJ Kulu, B2B, Suiki Lor, Daryll Griggs and Bad Bambino.
The Electriq Stage is further into the venue, past the Craft Market and King Plum’s Sound Emporium x Om Peace.
Big international names such as Darren Emerson, Peking Duk and Cinthie, as well as local DJ talent including Gia and Xiaolin, will play here.
2. Food and drink
Feeling hungry?
The main food spots will be on either side of the festival site; one near the main entrance (next to the artist merchandise) and another near the Kid’s [sic] Workshop.
Options include Hong Kong restaurant Little Bao’s creative bao burgers, filled with ingredients such as slow-cooked pork belly, Sichuan fried chicken and braised five-spice shiitake tempeh ragout.
Eggslut, an egg-centric chain from the United States that recently launched in Hong Kong, will make its Clockenflap debut offering its popular Fairfax Sandwich – a warm brioche bun filled with soft scrambled eggs, chives, onions and cheese.
For those who prefer plant-based food, vegan restaurant Years is bringing some of its most popular creations to the festival.
Feeling thirsty?
Free filtered-water stations will be provided throughout the site: near the Topper Stage, in the middle of the Craft Market, and one near the Electriq Stage.
There are also five bars spread over the venue. At this edition of the festival, BrewDog will run The Kuuchi Café & Bar, in between the Robot Stage and Tommy Stage.
The Scottish craft beer brand will offer beer and food, and also exclusive merch like temporary body tattoos, a special-edition tote bag, stickers and guitar picks.
3. Art
It will be hard to miss the pair of huge cat characters roaming around the festival, the creations of Anne Cubberly’s Giant Puppets, which will interact with those they encounter.
Impressive 15-metre (50ft) flowing canopies from Alchemy Decor, an Australian company specialising in large, eye-catching shade art, will provide festivalgoers with shelter from the sun.
There will also be Relentless Melt No. 30, a film screening featuring a special selection of abstract and psychedelic films co-curated by Clockenflap’s artistic director Jay Forster and video artist Max Hattler.
4. Wellness
A two-day wellness programme will run during the festival – which will include silent disco ecstatic dance, gong baths, meditation and shamanic drumming sound journeys – at King Plum’s Sound Emporium x Om Peace. All activities will take place within a five-metre-wide inflatable dome.
Also featuring at the festival will be Heart to Heart, a mobile confessional booth and interactive installation from multimedia artist Heart White, at which festivalgoers can share personal quandaries or secrets in an anonymous and intimate space.
5. Family time
The Robot Stage and nearby Kid’s Workshop are two places to explore for those attending the festival with children.
Family-friendly activities include arts and crafts workshops courtesy of Children’s Discovery Museum, puppet-based performances from Treasure Chest Theatre, soothing sonic soundscapes with I Is One, and percussion at Drum Jam.
6. General
How do I get to the main entrance?
The festival’s main entrance is next to the Hong Kong Observation (Ferris) Wheel and Central Pier No 10.
Taking public transport is highly recommended. You can take the MTR to either Hong Kong Station or Central Station, and follow the walkway signs towards the Central ferry piers, where ferries from outlying islands dock.
What do I need for entry?
Bring your photo ID and your ticket – the names on both must match. Photocopies of your ID will not be accepted.
Is anything prohibited from the venue?
The festival does not allow outside food and drink, glass bottles, or canisters. The same goes for flags, LED boards, laser pointers or camera accessories – including selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, Go Pro mounts and attachments.
Umbrellas are also prohibited at the festival, so come prepared with your raincoat for if it rains.
Smoking cigarettes and the use of e-cigs or vaping devices are only allowed in designated smoking areas.
Illegal drugs and other substances are strictly prohibited.
How can I pay?
Cash cannot be used for payment within the festival site. It is recommended to use a credit card, Octopus card or mobile payment wallet to pay for food, drinks, merchandise and crafts – make sure your phone is fully charged, your credit card packed and your Octopus topped up.
