It’s been weeks since we saw Efterklang live at Urbanscapes, and we hope you still don’t have that post-fest depression till now. But if you do, we are here to help you to relax with our monday’s mixtape made by the very own Casper Clausen of Efterklang. In Danish “Hygge” is closely related to “coziness” or time when you just chilling with good friends or loved ones, hope you can enjoy it as much as we do!

Track listing:

1. Bill Callahan – Small Plane
2. Anna Von Hausswolff – Goodbye
3. Dead Can Dance – Children Of The Sun
4. Donnie & Joe Emerson – Baby
5. Einsturzende Neubauten – Alles (Ein Stück im alten Stil)

Since 2011, the event has been held at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, which is a great, spacious venue that is easily accessible by public transportation and oversees the world-famous Hong Kong skyline at the main Harbourflap stage. Hence, Clockenflap’s atmosphere is one that is both amazing and memorable. I, myself, have been attending Clockenflap for the past 3 years. Although every year has been amazing, 2013 had a brilliant line-up, making it an experience that I can honestly cherish for the rest of my life.

Founded in 2008 by Jay Forster, Mike Hill and Justin Sweeeting, Clockenflap Multimedia Arts & Music Festival has played a crucial role in developing Hong Kong as a cultural hub for art, film and most of all, music. With a carefully crafted mixture of both international acts (Bombay Bicycle Club, Santigold, Primal Scream Azealia Banks) and local artists (DP, Sun Eskimos, The Yours, Uptown Rockers, Chochukmo), the festival has established itself to become one of Hong Kong’s coolest annual events.

Clockenflap 2013’s three-day festival was held between 29th November and 1st December. The many great local and international acts this year included indie heartthrobs The 1975 and new wave band Metric. Alternative rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, one of the headliners, played a head-bang worthy show, which was rather surprising with lead singer Robert’s mellow aura.

The Strypes was also extremely notable and surprising. They were put in to replace Two Door Cinema’s Club’s cancellation due to lead singer Alex contracting severe laryngitis. Despite being a last minute addition and extremely young, their mature musical expression and soulful talent made up for it. In fact, I have never in my life seen or heard a rock band able to incorporate a harmonica so passionately in a live set. All in all, their set was a fresh, entertaining experience.

Other great aspects of Clockenflap this year was included great quality and selection of food, popular international acts and relatively short waiting lines (for food, coupons and getting within the festival), which was a definite improvement from previous years.

The highlight of my festival was Franz Ferdinand, hands down.”Not only did they play a dance-worthy set, Alex Kapranos engaged the crowd with numerous chants of “we’re gonna burn this city!” from their track ‘This Fire’. Lively hipsters mosh pitted at the front of the stage while the band played a wonderful mixture of songs from all four albums.

But the most mind-blowing part was the encore, which included an energetic “Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action” and drum outro, where all four band members of Franz Ferdinand played a single drum set to close off their show and end the night. One of my more personal favorite moments was when my friend carried me on his shoulders (as I am rather short), and then Franz Ferdinand started playing “Jacqueline”, which also happens to be my name!

However, this year local acts were not as plentiful. I was slightly saddened to see that several of my favorite local indie bands were not playing this year unlike previous two years. Also, the time slots were only posted within festival ground. This was a bit troubling those planning to only see particular acts and not spend the entire day at the festival. Notes for the organizer, maybe to add more of local bands next time and an online time table would be extremely helpful, especially for the festival-goers only going for certain acts.

A note for those planning to go next year, although expected for a festival, merchandise and food are rather expensive, so bring enough money for coupon purchases. Those who prefer not to be in mosh-pits should stay closer to the back to refrain from getting squished, and if kids are brought for the arts and crafts and children’s stalls, families might want to leave near the late afternoon because that’s when the masses of people start pouring in for headliners.

In short, this year’s Clockenflap Multimedia Arts & Music Festival is definitely an event that people in Hong Kong and Asia should visit to celebrate different forms of art and culture.. [Text: Jacqueline Wong/Photos:Kitmin Lee]

More photos here

After our ‘indie’ weekend early this month in Singapore for Camp Symmetry, we headed to the neighbor Malaysia with even bigger festival which combined art and music in MAEPS with big line ups such as Tegan & Sara, Franz Ferdinand, Efterklang, Sore, Obedient Wives Club, and much more.. too bad due to Alex Trimble’s of Two Door Cinema Club all their show in Asia had to be canceled. But anyway we met lots of friendly people and cool art stuff around, and for you who didn’t get the chance to get there, here’s our review of the fest so maybe you want to plan ahead for the next year!

How we get there? We went there by bus from Singapore, yes you read it right, 5 hours bus to Perhentian Serdang and a cab to the festival. Rain and sun can’t stop us from seeing what’s Urbanscapes all about. The venue itself was gigantic, maybe since it was actually Malaysian agricultural place, and the crowd was about the same as Singaporean festival goers or even more vary, since it was music and art festival. Many food stalls (so you won’t get hungry), exciting artwork and fancy pop up market.

How’s the first day? We were prepared with raincoats, boots and stuff, but the only thing we used that day was sunblock. Even though it was raining pretty heavy in Singapore, it was sunny like hell in Serdang. We arrived when Sore was playing at the Urbanscape stage, performing their hits as smoothly as usual. After that we scrolled the venue and couldn’t be more proud to see our bands performs and some friend’s art works exhibited there. Back to the main stage we saw Oh Chentaku perform, which was great indeed. Band that famous with their ‘Sing It Rock and Roll’ song, succeed brought the crowds to paid attention till their very last song.

We also went to the Next Stage where we witness some of the most random performance mixed by rapper and local ghost after. Its a bit surreal and funny at the same time. We dont have much time as we are heading to see another Indonesian act at Upfront stage, which is one of the line ups we didn’t expected to be amazed by. The Experience Brother, Daud and Ibrahim, proved once again that rock and roll are still alive. With songs taken from their Eye Contact album, the band succeed mixing Zeppelin’s rock and roll style with the spontaneous quirky only Indonesian can do it well, not to mention when they performed ‘She’s Alright’ which made the crowd couldn’t help but to sing a long.

Right after them, it was the Aussie’s very own next big thing, Last Dinosaurs. We’ve seen them several times already just in a year and yet they are still fun to watch. And apparently, they have huge fans here in Malaysia! Lots of teens, boys and girls, local and regional flew to Malaysia just to see this band. Performed the same set list as in Jakarta and Singapore, the band still being asked to do encore. Well, we hope that will encourage and inspire them to make more music for the next album.

And the headline of the night was Tegan & Sara. Even though we’ve seen them in Jakarta before, duo that known first time as ultimate commercial songs (well, I knew them from an advertisement) still had the thing to ‘heart-rob’ the crowds. Playing their hits such as ‘Alligator’ ,‘Back in Your Head’, ‘I Was A Fool’ to ‘Closer’ the crowd couldn’t be any happier than sing a long for more than an hour.

How’s the second day? On the second day we’re mostly chilling with our friends and people we met at the festival, talk with the artists around and enjoying ourselves by the cool vintage lo-fi performance by Obedient Wives Club. Group that has been recognize not as the female muslim group, but a group that consist of Singapore very own Keith Tan, YinQi, Sulaiman Supian, Lennat Mak and Cherie Ko, played songs from their EP ‘Murder Kill Baby’ and captured the crowds of lo-fi spectorgaze fans.

Beside OWC, we also ran to another stage where -another 4AD acts, Efterklang, performs. After our interview with Casper, we couldn’t be more surprised when Mads used ‘Angklung’ we gave for the intro of Hollow Mountain, followed by Casper and Rasmus on stage and that’s when all the magic of sounds happens! I mean really, they literarily used everything, from normal instruments, to ipad apps, to stage’s pillar like those Berlin Blue Man Group with less disco vibe. Despite of the heat outside combine with people inside the tent, this Danish band amazed the crowd with their electronic wave sounds. My worried about either the crowd were already melt by the heat or were there because of the music has been answered, when they forced to ‘pause’ their performance due to afternoon break, the crowd still remind the same. Ended by their hits Modern Drift, this band is definitely one of the band you must listen to if you are fans of Sin Fang, múm, and other Scandinavian experimental electronic music.

Right after Efterklang, we went to the highlight (or mine) of the festival seeing Franz Ferdinand! Even though I wasn’t a big fan, I couldn’t help but to sing a long and dance to their song. They performance were just addictive and let’s face it, no one could possibly stand still watching their energetic act. These Scottish ‘uncle’ brought all their hits to the table from Bullet, The Dark Of The Matinée, No You Girls, Tell Her Tonight, Evil Eye, Do You Want To, Walk Away, Horizon, CSF, Fallen, Jacqueline, Michael, Take Me Out, Love Illumination, This Fire, to Ulysses and not to mention their encore with Right Action, to Outsider. I think it has been a long time since I sang very loud and dance very passionately in a show.

As the technician packing the instruments, crowds went home, so it’s time for us to get back to reality. We took the last bus to the city center and grab the first bus to catch our flight home. Lets hope to see some more exciting line ups with less animal cause itchiness next year, and don’t forget to catch Urbanscapes’s final Satellite show featuring Canadian indie-rock giants Metric this December 3rd 2013.

More photos from the show here

Like numerous major international festivals such as Coachella (US), Glastonbury (UK) and Fuji Rock (Japan), Clockenflap has played a colossal role in showing off numerous groundbreaking artists of the 21^st century. Apart from presenting renowned international artists such as Klaxons, Bombay Bicycle Club, Austra, Mac Demarco, Azealia Banks and Britpop legends Primal Scream, Clockenflap has also emphasized the importance of local musicians in Hong Kong’s urban culture. Indie folk group Noughts and Exes, heavy metal duo DP and alternative rockers Chochukmo are just a few of this metropolitan’s many talented acts that have performed at this momentous event.

This year’s headliner is Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand, who are dropping by this festival, to promote their highly anticipated LP, “Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions” to festival goers at Clockenflap. Along with them are popular indie group Two Door Cinema Club, disco band Chic feat. Nile Rodgers and local Cantopop princess, G.E.M..

With more exciting musical acts, art instillations and contemporary films yet to be announced, Clockenflap 2013 will not just be one of the most exciting celebrations of modern culture in Hong Kong, but an internationally recognized event for the world to experience.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

ART VILLAGE: Curated by Aidan Li, in partnership with Clockenflap, the 10,000- sq.m.-sized Art Village will feature inspired and intriguing art works and multi-media installations by a talented mix of local and international artists. plus

MARC & CHANTAL DESIGN: The specialist creative/design agency presents a surreal “Cloud” installation for all to experience. VANS: Slick street style and raw creativity have inspired the VANS “OFF THE WALL” skateboard art wall and workshop, where festivalgoers can create their own VANS x CLOCKENFLAP merchandise.

ZIPPO: Look out for two giant ZIPPO lighter art pieces by popular young Hong Kong artists, Little Thunder and Telephone Fung.

FILM TENT: Curated by Janel Yau, featuring content from international film festivals, directors and animators, the Film Tent offers a cinematic escape for festivalgoers. plus BRITISH COUNCIL HONG KONG AND UK TRADE & INVESTMENT’S GREAT CAMPAIGN: Festivalgoers are treated to a very special outdoor screening of “Restored Treasures: Captivating Hitchcock Silents – Blackmail (1929),” with live music by Stephen Horne, renowned as one of the world’s leading silent-film accompanists.

EFTERKLANG: Copenhagen-based band Efterklang presents “The Ghost of Piramida,” a film project they initiated, directed by Andreas Koefoed and soundtracked by the synth-laden Apples. NELLY BEN HAYOUN: French experience designer Nelly Ben Hayoun presents “International Space Orchestra,” about her mission to assemble to world’s first orchestra of space scientists from NASA’s Ames Research Center, SETI and the International Space University.

CABARET: Curated by local men’s fashion/lifestyle brand Moustache, the “Bearded Lady Side Show” will feature a wild array of glitzy, glam and downright bizarre performances. With a house band of equal oddity providing laidback ambience throughout the weekend, this brand new addition to the festival is not to be missed! plus

NEW ERA: Working with Clockenflap for its second year, headgear specialist NEW ERA has booked dancers from hip-hop themed movie, “The Way We Dance,” to entertain all, as well as created exclusive NEW ERA x CLOCKENFLAP merchandise (beanies, caps) available for purchase.

CLOCKENCRAFT MARKET: Families and festivalgoers can take a breather — and have a look and shop at the popular Craft Market, packed with lovely locally produced and unique handmade items.

DINOSAUR ENCLOSURE: For the first time in history of Hong Kong — terrifying dinosaurs and beasts, replete with scary and spiky bits, shall roam the West Kowloon Cultural District!

FOOD & BEVERAGE STALLS: With 23 vendors and 26 outlets serving up food and beverages over three days this year, festivalgoers and families can enjoy all day (and night!) at Clockenflap, fuelled by the yummy likes of Ali Oli, Brickhouse, Little Burro, Lola’s Ice Pops and Pizza Express.

KIDS AREA: Supported by Rumple & Friends, the Clockenflap-styled bouncy castle will make an appearance, along with arts and crafts workshops, kid-friendly music & entertainment performances, face painting, stilt walkers, and much more!

SILENT DISCO: In 2012, Clockenflap unveiled the Silent Disco concept to perplexed and amused festivalgoers. This year, expect even more headphones, supplied by Clockenflap’s official sound sponsor SENNHEISER, and a few additional surprises!

Check out The AU Review interviewing with Justin Sweet – the man behind Clockenflap festival:

Tickets will be on sale from September 2 on www.ticketflap.com

Early bird prices:
HK$480 – Friday
HK$580 – Saturday or Sunday only
HK$980 – Three-day entry
(Student discounts are also available, and kids aged 12 or under will have free entry)