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