Genre: Hip-hop, R’n’B

When: December 2

As Hongkongers, how do you feel about performing at Clockenflap?
It’s really exciting. We are so proud to be part of Yack Studio, a Hong Kong hip hop crew that’s able to perform at Clockenflap.

With so many members of Yack Studio performing on stage, what energy would you like to bring to the festival?
Surges. Since we’ve known that we will perform at Clockenflap, we planned a full schedule to practice. We have arranged a special flow on our set. We hope the audience will have full energy to play with us.

How does it feel to represent the Cantonese rap scene on an international stage?
It’s an honour to represent the city’s hip-hop [scene] on an international stage. Although some of the audience are non-Cantonese speakers, we think the Yack Studio’s vibe and energy will break through the language restrictions.

Who do you want to meet backstage?
Everyone!

Genre: Techno, house

When: December 2

How does it feel to perform at Clockenflap?
I feel so honoured and lucky to make the leap from niche club nights to a festival. I am hoping people from the LGBTQ+ community will feel empowered to see me—a local trans women—perform at this stage.

What energy would you like your set to bring to the festival?
To be able to decompress after a whole year of work and to be amped up for the Christmas holidays—flapping our arms with joy.

What has been your biggest challenge in preparing for your performance?
Self-doubts? Voices in my head? Clockenflap is such a big milestone in my DJing career and it brings with it a tiny bit of stress. But crucially the biggest challenge is to stop myself from overthinking and ending up with 50 playlists of 1,000 tracks that I know I can’t juggle within an hour.

Who do you want to meet backstage?
I’m a bit greedy: [British musician] Darren Emerson, because his era in [techno band] Underworld was life-changing and still ringing in my ears in 2023; [British musician] Jarvis Cocker, for having the courage [talk about the] darkness in the world his This Is Hardcore (1998) album when [his band] Pulp was peaking—and his no-compromise method of vocal delivery is my inspiration to write and sing about my own demons as well; [Berlin-based DJ] Cinthie for her IG posts that are a constant source of good dance music reference; and last but not least, [American singer] Caroline Polachek, she is such a goddess.

Genre: R’n’B

When: December 3

How does it feel to perform at Clockenflap?
I remember a couple years back when I was starting my musical journey, I was walking past a music event in Cyberport and wondering what it was. It was the first time that I’d ever heard of Clockenflap, and I remember thinking at that time if I would get ever a chance to perform at an event like it. Fast forward to today, Clockenflap is the biggest music festival in Hong Kong, so when they asked me to be a part of this year’s line-up I was very excited and honoured. It definitely feels like a full circle moment for me.

What energy would you like your set to bring to the festival?
I just try my best to connect and transmit an energy that is most honest to the music. Some songs may be introspective and others uplifting. Hopefully we can spark something within listeners and passers-by so that they want to stop and tune in with us for a moment.

What song are you the most excited to perform and why?
Definitely the new songs. I love sharing new songs that I’ve never played live before, because I feel both me as a performer and the listeners are on the same boat, a lot of things can’t be planned, it’s all unexpected and I can’t gauge how they will react, so that definitely adds an edge and a [thrilling] sense to the occasion. Also a lot of the times, the new songs that I play are still in the process of being written, and so the life performance also shapes and moulds the creative process.

Who do you want to meet backstage?
Joji, d4vd, 9m88, Atarashii Gakko!, De La Soul, bbno$.

Genre: Drum and bass

When: December 3

This is your first time performing at Clockenflap, what are you looking forward to most?
Feeling that festival energy and feeding off it, especially as I am getting to play my favourite music to the [audience].

What differences are you expecting between the festival crowd compared to the club crowd that you’re used to, and how will you adapt your set to suit this setting?
Usually I play at dark and dingy clubs and warehouse parties, but I also love playing to a crowd where I can expose them to a style of music that they haven’t heard before. With it being a 6-7pm set, I’ll be playing vibey drums and bass with a few cheeky tunes.

Who do you want to meet backstage?
I’m looking forward to meeting the Jungle Cakes lads [from the UK]. They have been smashing the ragga DNB scene for a long time and no doubt they will be bringing the fire for the Sunday Drum and Bass session.

Genre: Disco, house

When: December 3 

How does it feel to perform at Clockenflap and what are you looking forward to most?
Performing at Clockenflap for me is an emotional moment and a dream come true for me. I met my DJ teacher Janette Slack in Clockenflap in 2014. Her music inspired me to try my hand at being a DJ, so I sent her a message and asked to be her student. I’m very sure that, without Janette, I wouldn’t have been able to perform at Clockenflap today. The thing that I am looking forward to the most is performing on the same stage where I first met Janette. I hope to make her proud as she passed away last year.

What has been your biggest challenge in preparing for your performance?
The most challenging part about the festival wasn’t about preparing my set, but doing it while having my late teacher Janette in mind. It will be a healing experience for me and allow me to move on and see what direction I want my music to take.

Who do you want to meet backstage?
To be honest I am a greedy person, I want to see everyone: Idles, Homeshake, and others [laughs].

NOW READ

Eason Chan on his new album ‘Chin Up!’, mental health awareness and facing challenges with resilience

The Trilogy, H Code’s new music hub, brings together a rooftop bar, a nightclub and a jazz speakeasy

Beyond K-pop: ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Parasite’ music composer Jung Jae-il on tapping into South Korea’s traditional music