Clockenflap 2023 guide: from bands to food and drinks, all you need to know about Hong Kong’s premier music and arts festival
- Back after a four-year gap, the Clockenflap music festival features big-name bands including Arctic Monkeys, The Cardigans, Phoenix, FKJ and Wu-Tang Clan
- Find out where to eat, drink, dance, watch bands, relax and more in our extensive guide to the festival
Much to Hong Kong’s excitement and following the long-awaited scrapping of the mask mandate on Wednesday, the Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival is finally happening this weekend, from March 3 to 5. Back after a four-year hiatus, this year’s edition is the first in Clockenflap’s 15-year history to completely sell out.
As Hong Kong’s biggest international outdoor festival, Clockenflap has around 100 live acts, the 2023 iteration will host world-famous names such as Arctic Monkeys, The Cardigans, Phoenix, FKJ, and, last but not least, Wu-Tang Clan, whose presence shocked the city’s old-school hip-hop fans.
The Post has assembled a handy guide for those fortunate enough to have picked up tickets.
How to get there
Taking place at the Central Harbourfront, Clockenflap is easily accessible via public transport, be it bus, ferry or the MTR. Drivers, on the other hand, may have to go to the nearby City Hall, IFC or Pacific Place to find public parking. The entrance is between the Hong Kong Observation Wheel and Central Pier No 10.
Who else is performing?
There will be six music stages to cater for music lovers of different tastes.
The main one, of course, is the Harbourflap stage where the aforementioned headlining international acts will perform. Bombay Bicycle Club will play an Asia-exclusive set there, as will Hong Kong rising star Tyson Yoshi.
A stone’s throw away is the FWD Stage on one side, and the brand-new Topper Stage on the other. The FWD Stage features a more diverse spectrum of music genres. Expect live sets from local rock band Kolor, German electronic supergroup Moderat, as well as English jazz quintet Ezra Collective.
New for 2023, the Topper Stage is part of Clockenflap’s effort to “keep the vibes flowing in between live sets at the Harbourflap Stage”. There will be eclectic, electronic music from across the globe from the likes of DJ El Toro, aka Andrew Bull, a well-known name on the Greater China club scene.
Other stages – Park, Electriq and Robot – will offer edgier music.
The Park Stage will feature mostly emerging indie talent – the experimental post-punk David Boring, the dirty NYPD with dirty Canto lyrics and the post-hardcore legends The Lovesong are all powerful local faves with cult followings.
Electriq is Clockenflap’s dedicated electronic stage for dance floor tunes from local and international names. Its twin Robot Stage is similar, but with a more high-energy atmosphere provided by a home-grown line-up, comprising party crews such as Yeti Out and Mihn Club, alongside individual acts such as Mengzy.
Clockenflap is not just about live music?
It is easy to forget that aside from the music, the arts are another big part of Clockenflap’s identity. This year’s arts programme will include collaborative sound effects from Pause. Rec. Play; imaginative cityscapes from Videotage; and abstract psychedelia from Relentless Melt, as well as street art by Caratoes and Parents Parents and a large-scale installation by Birdmen.
There will also be family-friendly activities such as puppet-based performances and sonic explorations, and a craft market hosted by Handmade Hong Kong which will feature around 30 stalls selling festival-friendly items.
What if I get thirsty and hungry?
Upon entering Clockenflap, visitors are immediately greeted by the festival’s official merchandise stall, Cathay Pacific’s VIP lounge, as well as Foodpanda’s “pink dome” area with a food bar.
The array of food and drinks outlets extends well into the Harbourfront. There will be a Hoegaarden beer section elevated with beanbags, picnic tables and parasols in the middle of the festival grounds.
Hong Kong’s The Chilli Lab will have its stall of local street food classics, from siu mai to lo mein noodles and chicken wings, accompanied by its famous chilli sauce.
In partnership with Blue Bottle Coffee, Kuuchi Café will be closer to the back of the festival with a more casual, relaxed setting, with coffee, coffee cocktails and its signature Liège waffle alongside other light refreshments.
The Central Ferry Piers also have their offerings. Draft & Craft on the lower deck of Central Pier No 7 is a good and not-too-distant spot to sit down, rewind and have a coffee or cocktail before heading back into the Harbourfront madness.
When nature calls …
One thing universal about all music festivals is that the toilets are almost always below par, to say the least. For those who wish to release in peace, IFC Mall is a little more than 10 minutes away by foot, and the aforementioned BaseHall also has decent restrooms.
Is cash accepted on site?
Visitors are reminded that only electronic payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Octopus, PayMe, and Visa and Master cards) are accepted on the festival grounds. It will be a cashless festival, but don’t leave your wallet at home – photo IDs are required to accompany tickets upon entry.
No additional tickets will be available on the door – it’s a sold-out event.
