Clockenflap, Hong Kong 2024

Some highlights

Pulp were the headline act on the Saturday in December 2023. Standing a little way back but close enough to see Jarvis Cocker pulling shapes (apparently, he had hurst his hip prior to this gig!).

I am not a huge fan of music festivals. There’s something about the sheer amount of social energy required in attending events like these, or the inevitable queues for the porta-loo that doesn’t really appeal all that much. Although I say all of this as someone who can count the number of music festivals that I have attended on one hand.

But I like Clockenflap. This is an annual music festival that takes place in Hong Kong. There are always a range of musical genres supported and an increasing number of artists from Asia playing, which is great to see. The team of staff working the event are helpful, and it’s family-friendly which means that there is a nice buzz overall. Plus, the location is incredibly convenient to get to from where I live.

Hong Kong first hosted the festival in 2008 and it was located in West Kowloon. In 2016, the organisers moved the event to Central Harbourfront. A great decision in my view (and not just because of the aforementioned proximity to where I live) because the scenery from this location is spectacular for both the artists and visitors as you overlook Victoria Harbour.

After a five year absence due to the protests in 2019 and then the pandemic, Clockenflap returned with a bang last year with multiple events (March and December). My husband and I went in December where he was keen to see the UK singer/songwriter Frank Turner, while I wanted to return to my club night youth with the DJ Darren Emerson.

But for the first time, this year my husband and I bought the three-day package as the various artists that we were keen to see where spread out over the weekend. Although rather annoyingly, the organisers ban the use of DSLRs so I could only use my phone to take pictures, but here are some of the highlights from the event.

---

My husband and I were walking past when we heard and saw this group of people dancing. We ended up staying to watch #raving. (Friday. Robot Stage: After Dark Sessions: SIMTUB B2B BKYND)

(Friday. Harbourflap Stage: Air)

Wandering about on Saturday

(Saturday. Harbourflap Stage: Banks)

(Saturday. Harbourflap Stage: St. Vincent)

(Saturday. Harbourflap Stage: St. Vincent)

---

More music posts available on TBOI:

Newer Sounds 🎶

What are you listening to?

Not subscribed to The Best of Intentions? Enter your email address below and you will receive all future posts and access to the archive. Like what you read? It helps tremendously if you hit the ‘like’ button, or share this post with a friend. And if you wish to share a comment, please do! I read and reply to all 😀

Finally, if you are on Instagram, you can find some of my photography here.