Clockenflap 2024 wasn’t just another festival – it was a collision of sound, art, and sustainability that took over Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront.
With headliners like US garage rocker Jack White, UK’s Central Cee, and Japan’s Creepy Nuts alongside Australia’s Partiboi69 and local hero Carl Wong, it brought together a global community for three unforgettable days.
Friday set the tone for the weekend with a lineup that had something for everyone. Porter Robinson’s emotionally-charged hyper-pop reverberated through the Harbourflap Stage, delivering tracks like “Cheerleader” to a crowd ready for a cathartic release.
His shimmering melodies gave way to French duo Air’s ethereal electronica, which enveloped the Harbourflap Stage in a dreamlike haze and took the crowd on a journey through their Moon Safari era, performing tracks like “Sexy Boy” and “La femme d’argent” that merged fittingly with Hong Kong’s glittering skyline.
When they performed the melancholic favourite “Highschool Lover” from their soundtrack for Sofia Coppola-directed film The Virgin Suicides, the crowd seemed to hold their breath, the track’s haunting beauty resonating in the night air.
Image: French band AIR performed ‘Moon Safari’ classics at Clockenflap 2024.
At the Hang Seng Stage, Japanese duo Creepy Nuts delivered a high-energy set that was part rap battle, part dance party. The duo’s breakout hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” had the crowd roaring, blending sharp lyricism with beats that could ignite any crowd – even if you didn’t speak the language.
DJ Matsunaga’s turntable wizardry, honed from his world championship win at DMC and performance at the Toyko Olympics, was jaw-dropping – his beats felt less like backing tracks and more like a dialogue with R-shitei’s dynamic flow.
Clockenflap didn’t just sound good—it felt good, too.
With sustainability at the heart of the festival, compostable food packaging, waste-sorting stations, and refillable water zones became part of the vibe. Even single-use plastics were replaced with recycled rPET bottles, making it clear that Clockenflap wasn’t just throwing a party but setting an example.
Image: Creepy Nuts at Clockenflap 2024.
Saturday kept the momentum going, diving into different corners of the music universe. Saturday’s lineup covered all bases. Suede’s Brett Anderson commanded the Hang Seng Stage with his unmistakable voice on Britpop anthems like “Beautiful Ones”, transporting fans to the golden era of the ’90s.
Over on the Park Stage, Brisbane’s Last Dinosaurs brought jangly guitars and sun-soaked melodies for those chasing indie rock bliss.
St. Vincent stole the show on the Harbourflap Stage, performing a slew of tracks from her latest album, All Born Screaming, including “Big Time Nothing” and “Flea”. Her theatrics, complete with wild guitar solos, a crowd dive and tearing her tights mid-performance, made it impossible to look away.
For the electronic crowd, Ausralia’s own Partiboi69 took control of the Electriq Stage with his unmistakable ghetto-house beats and larger-than-life antics, turning the area into a churning sea of dance.
The energy was electric, setting the tone for his upcoming ‘Taste the Grapes’ tour with KETTAMA. Performing as Ketboi69, the duo will hit Australia later this year for a string of chaotic club shows that promise wild antics, rave-ready beats, and sweaty moshpit vibes.
Image: Central Cee
UK’s Central Cee kept the energy high on the Harbourflap Stage with hits like “Doja”, showcasing why he’s become a fixture at festivals worldwide.
In Australia, Central Cee has built a strong festival presence, appearing at events like Listen Out in 2022 and a string of 2023–24 summer festivals, including Beyond the Valley, Wildlands, and Field Day, quickly becoming a global festival favourite.
Surrounding the music, immersive art installations like the kaleidoscopic Hello Hong Kong Balloon Chain and hypnotic interactive visual displays added an otherworldly layer to the festival’s sensory appeal.
Clockenflap wasn’t just about music; it turned the festival grounds into an immersive playground. Families joined Drum Jam sessions, kids stretched it out in yoga workshops, and everyone stopped to marvel at the Hello Hong Kong Balloon Chain – a massive floating art installation that became the weekend’s unofficial mascot.
Outside of the festival, attendees explored the city’s iconic attractions, indulged in Michelin-starred dim sum at One Dimsum (located in Prince Edward, Kowloon), hunted vinyl treasures at Sham Shui Po’s Vinyl Hero, and admired panoramic views from Victoria Peak.
Many enjoyed a ride on the historic Star Ferry or wandered through Man Mo Temple, one of Hong Kong’s oldest and a declared monument, which was built in 1847 during the Qing dynasty.
Back at the Central Harbourfront, the festival reflected Hong Kong’s global culinary scene with over 24 food outlets, featuring Asian street food, gourmet options, and craft cocktails by Martell, ensuring a feast for all the senses.
Image: Jack White Credit: @DavidJamesSwanson
The final day of Clockenflap 2024 belonged to Jack White, who sent the three-day extravaganza out with a bang.
From The White Stripes’ classics like “The Hardest Button to Button” to The Raconteurs’ “Steady, as She Goes”, White had the crowd at peak energy as powerful riffs reverberated across Victoria Harbour, the crowd chanting the iconic “Seven Nation Army” chorus long after the curtains fell.
After closing Clockenflap with a thunderous set, White was later turned heads in Melbourne when he was spotted enjoying a cold beer at a Melbourne Victory match.
White is currently Down Under for his first solo tour in Australia in over a decade, though he last visited with The Saboteurs in 2019 and played a one-off show at Harvest Rock in Adelaide in November 2022. His initial Australian shows are part of ALWAYS LIVE 2024, during which St. Vincent will also perform.
Earlier in the evening, Jamie xx transformed the Hang Seng Stage into a euphoric dancefloor with tracks like “Gosh” and his latest single “All You Children”. Fans in Australia will have the chance to catch him this month, with additional shows announced in Melbourne and Sydney after selling out multiple dates.
Meanwhile, Glass Animals performed their ARIA #1 hit “Heat Waves”, along with “Life Itself”, “Your Love (Déjà Vu)”, and “Gooey”, their synth-pop offerings drawing a crowd.
Image: Jamie xx.
Clockenflap 2024 wasn’t just a festival. It was a celebration of everything music can be – a bridge between cultures, a platform for expression, and a reminder of how art can bring people together.
As Jack White’s final chord rang out over the harbour on the event’s final evening, one thing was clear: Clockenflap isn’t just one of Asia’s best festivals; it’s one of the world’s.
Clockenflap confirmed its return for December 5th until 7th, 2025, with Blind Bird tickets already on sale.
