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

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)