IRL FRIDAYS Launches at Behind Bars in Tai Kwun on Oct. 7
Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Happenings

IRL FRIDAYS, Hong Kong’s Newest Dating Event, Opens at Behind Bars on Oct. 7 to Cure Your Romance Woes

IRL FRIDAYS Hong Kongs Newest Dating Event Opens at Behind Bars on Oct 7 to Cure Your Romance Woes 2

Suffering from Tinder fatigue? Getting tired of constantly swiping on dating apps? Wish there was a way to meet people IRL and catch a vibe?

With this year marking a decade since Tinder came into our lives, Hong Kong’s newest schmoozing and boozing party for singles, IRL FRIDAYS, is set to kick off Oct. 7 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Tai Kwun’s Behind Bars in Central to help you find your next hunny.

In partnership with JIA Group, IRL FRIDAYS is designed to make your IRL dating process seamless, fun, and easy again, with a focus on expanding your dating pool, growing your social circle, and meeting new friends in our crazy city.

Entrance is HK$100 and includes one class of Mumm Champagne as you practice how to date in real-life after becoming reliant on the magic of Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and many more, and undergo “dating-app makeovers” with on-site photographers and copywriters making you look beautiful online, conversational icebreakers, and interactive games.

Beyond the IRL FRIDAYS event, Behind Bars is hosting an online component to the Tai Kwun event aimed at helping Hong Kongers find a match they lost contact to or unable to exchange social details with.

Those eager to recover that chance at connecting are invited to DM @behindbars.hkg on Instagram with their tale of missed connection. Two stories will be posted on the page every week in hope of making match magic with Behind Bars’ #HKMissedConnections campaign.

IRL FRIDAYS kicks off Oct. 7 and will continue on the first Friday of each month at Behind Bars in Tai Kwun. Tickets are available to purchase onsite with walk-ins welcome.

Head over to our Instagram page to enter into The Beat Asia’s giveaway with Behind Bars for a chance to win one of the 10 tickets available for the Oct. 7 event.

IRL Fridays
IRL Fridays @ Behind Bars

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Pop Culture

HKFFF 2024: Camille Razat & Mélanie Robert Unveil Magic Behind Prodigieuses

Untitled design 2024 12 05 T120339 804 Photo by Website/ HKFFF 2024

Camille Razat from "Emily in Paris" and rising star Mélanie Robert are bringing Parisian glam and cinematic brilliance to Hong Kong for their new film “Prodigieuses," which premiered at the 53rd edition of The Hong Kong French Film Festival in November.

Directed by Valentin Potier and Frédéric Potier, Prodigieuses is a touching biopic of the Pleynet sisters Audrey and Diane Pleynet, two 18-year-old piano prodigies.

Camille Razat and Mélanie Robert play Claire and Jeanne Vallois, whose music careers are derailed by a rare disease. Refusing to give up, the sisters invent a groundbreaking piano technique that redefines their legacy and cements their place in music history.

During their visit to Hong Kong, Camille and Mélanie shared exclusive insights on what it was like playing twin sisters, the rigorous piano training they underwent, and relationship off-screen.

What was it about Prodigieuses that first caught your attention?

Prodigieuses
Website/ HKFFF 2024

Camille: When we first read the script, I thought it was very captivating. It's pretty rare for women to have these kinds of complex roles, as well as this depth to the story. And I think Mélanie and I were drawn to it because it's based on a true story.

Mélanie: The script is so well written. We were lucky to have the chance to receive this proposition from a true story, which tells the story of sisters, and the opportunity to play this role together with Camille, because we have been really close friends for a long time.

In the film, it appears that you both have fantastic musical talent. Were you musicians before being cast? What was the preparation process like for you?

Camille: Well we weren't pianists or musicians, so we were [not] off to a good start. We had eight months of training, learning the traditional way of playing piano. We had to learn every movement [in] each track by heart- it was like air piano. And then we had to learn the Pleynets’ technique, which is very specific and hard to reproduce, because it’s not natural to be that soft with your hands when you're playing piano. Specifically, the rhythm is pretty fast, and it's hard to be on the correct note, at the right time. It was very tricky, precise work. That's where we realized that the Pleynet sisters were truly geniuses, learning everything by heart without playing. It was definitely challenging, but very interesting.

Mélanie: Even though we are not twins and even though we couldn’t see each other because were back-to-back, we were [still] able to connect with each other back-to-back.

You were close friends before making this fillm, how did you embody the intensity of the twin sisters so effectively?

Piano
Website/ HKFFF 2024

Mélanie: Camille and I have been really, really close friends [for] more than 10 years already. So, we [mainly] needed to invest time in learning to play the piano. We were lucky because we were able to do a lot of rehearsals. The closeness of our friendship [made] filming easier because we were able to save some time between the filming and directors' discussions.

Camille: We are like sisters in real life.

Clare and Jean are faced with immense obstacles in their journey to becoming musicians. What challenges have you faced and overcome in your careers?

Prodigieuses
Website/ HKFFF 2024

Mélanie: Because this job is really complicated, there is a lot of competition, for myself and Camille. We support each other, even though we are competing with each other.

Camille: The movie is a bit like a mirror for our careers, because being an actor can be very tricky, and trying to succeed in your career demands a lot of work. You have to do so many castings and auditions in order to get maybe one job. And even when you get the job, really often, the movie is not shooting because of a lack of financing. They can even change their mind last minute and pick someone else. Until you have done two days of shooting, it’s totally out of your control.

Do you feel any relief or escapism portraying someone else and being in a different world?

melanie robert
Website/ HKFFF 2024

Mélanie: Personally, I love the opportunity to do different jobs. This morning, I could be a lawyer, and the next day I could be a psychopath. I love my job. If the role is interesting, like this one [Jeanne in Prodigieues], I like to stay in character for a longer time, even after I go back home, I like to play a bit of piano thinking that I'm Jeanne, and I'll contact Camille, and say it's great that we're twins!

Camille: Yeah, it's good to be someone else and not just yourself with all your problems. Being able to be someone else, to be with so many people on set, it's like a family. It's a relief to be someone else, and it's very interesting to explore different feelings and emotions in a character.

What projects are you currently working on or would like to welcome?

Camille and Melanie
Website/ HKFFF 2024

Mélanie: We are promoting this movie, so I don’t have many projects in Paris yet. But I hope this might give us the chance to do Prodigieuses 2 (a sequel). I just hope to be able to continue in this industry because it’s not an easy job, but I would love to be able to work in film every day.

Camille: I was working on a couple of projects earlier this year – two TV series – one is going to be on Disney+, and the other on Netflix.

Both are French, and one of them is a thriller based on a true story. I'm playing the main investigator in that series. And in the other series I play a witch, which I love. It’s very challenging because I know people want to pigeonhole me in a way and put a label on me [because] of Emily in Paris. I love Emily, but that's not my life or final destination. I would say I'm more than that.

How does it feel having Prodigieuses featured in the Hong Kong film festival?

Camille and Melanie
The Beat Asia

Mélanie: It’s my first time in Asia and I’m very happy to be here. It’s an honor to have the film in HKFF, we are very pleased. Although the director is not here, he is also very happy and grateful. So, thank you so much.

The film was shown for the first time, and the feedback was incredible. It’s extraordinary to have a French film like this based on a true story featured internationally. It's just amazing, and that means that it works in the market.

Camille: I hope everybody will buy tickets!

To find out more, visit HKFFF on their website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Artists

Clockenflap 2024: St. Vincent "Enchanted" by Hong Kong

Heading 5 Photo by Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Indie superstar and music polymath St. Vincent is “enchanted” by Hong Kong. Making her Clockenflap debut on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 30, Dallas born musician St. Vincent (Anne Clark) told local journalists that she finds Hong Kong to be a Sci-Fi city, with "a lot of heart and soul.”

Clockenflap 2024 marked the Grammy Award-winning artist’s second visit to Asia, and her first performance in Hong Kong. After just 48 hours in the city, she described it as "romantic," likening the atmosphere to Blade Runner.

“There's so many people and so much going on. There's romance, opulence and sketchy things all happening at the same time,” she adds.

St. Vincent
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Widely considered the patron saint of indie and art-rock, St. Vincent was a popular choice to headline Clockenflap’s main stage, bringing her emotionally cathartic and electrifying global hits to an ecstatic audience.

St. Vincent fans were treated to broody alt-rock songs from her latest albumAll Born Screaming.” Her rich, deep vocals wooed the crowd, backed by a four-piece band that remained in flawless control throughout the night.

St. Vincent alternated between swagger and grace—gliding backwards on her tiptoes one moment and dazzling with her virtuosic guitar playing, shredding both her guitar and black tights in the process.

Performance clockenflap
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

In true St. Vincent style, her connection with the audience and her four-piece band was critical. This included her leaping into the crowd, exuding pure, primal, dominatrix energy. Nobody was left on the sidelines during her performance of her touching ballad “New York” from “Masseduction.” She locked eyes with fans atop a sea of enthusiastic people, singing her uplifting lyrics, “But for you, darling, I'd do it all again.

St Vincent's band
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Her Clockenflap appearance comes hard on the heels of her seventh album: "All Born Screaming," a funky and introspective compilation of noise rock, chamber pop, electronica, and more. Listen out for guest performances by Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa, Cate Le Bon, and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, as well as the track “Sweetest Fruit,” a tribute to electronic music producer SOPHIE, who passed away in 2021.

"All Born Screaming" is St. Vincent’s first self-produced album. She told The Beat Asia the creative process for the record began when she experimented with electronic improvisations.

“The making of the record started backwards in a lot of ways,” she explained. “I started having a lot of songs with modular synths and twisting knobs and finding ways that the electricity was passing through this unique circuitry.”

“Then I would come back and find moments of electronic improvisations, and think, oh, I can make a whole song around that,” St. Vincent added.

On stage
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Developing these electronic motifs into fully fledged music tracks was no easy feat as St. Vincent pointed out this method of work was more demanding than traditional songwriting techniques.

“Ultimately writing the song is the hardest thing. A song has to have an epiphany. It has to feel whole. So I started with pieces, and then eventually created my own Frankenstein construct. It was quite laborious. There’s a reason why people just sit down with one instrument and write a song.”

St. Vincent continued to share that it was also a rather solitary pursuit: “I spent a lot of hours sitting alone in a room, dreaming, trying and failing! It’s a terrible thing which I wouldn’t wish on anyone!"

On stage
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Despite this, she reflects that self-producing came quite naturally, as she had many years of experience devising bedroom recordings when she was young, learning the techniques of music production in the process.

Since I was a 14-year-old, I was recording myself in my childhood bedroom. Production, engineering, and recording has always been a part of my process.”

As an adult, she finds that being able to self-produce has become an integral part of the creative process. “This time around, I had places to go emotionally, and I knew I just had to go alone and find myself.”

Studio shot
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Staying in full control of the creative process, from the first whispers of inspiration, through the multiple stages of sound production, is how St. Vincent keeps her distinctive highly personal sound. “As a result, I am able to reproduce the sound inside my head; it’s something I’m very proud of and attached to,” she said.

Performing on stage
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Despite clearly benefiting from the experience of holing up in a studio on her own, St. Vincent is no stranger to collaboration, having worked with major stars like David Bryne, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and Dave Grohl. She mentioned she is still open to new collaborations.

“I remain constantly surprised by the people I get to work with, and if I follow my instincts of trust in the music, then it leads me to the right people.”

Among a diverse palette of influences, St. Vincent cited industrial rock and metal bands such as Ministry and Skinny Puppy and even British pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Referencing the veteran rockstars of the 70s, she claimed, “No one does it better than Bowie.” She of course, holds a special place in her heart for legendary Talking Heads vocalist and guitarist, David Byrne. “He’s a genius,” she said. “He changed the way I thought about art, performance. He changed my whole trajectory as an artist.”

All Born Screaming
Spotify/ St. Vincent

The cover of "All Born Screaming," designed by Alex Da Corte, features St. Vincent bent over with her arms outstretched and engulfed in flames, dressed in black and white. She explained to curious Hong Kong journalists she didn’t actually set herself on fire for this image, although not because she was unwilling.

“I would have happily done it for art. I've done many things for art. I've been punched in the face for art, had bruises all over my body for art, but it's too expensive and complicated to light myself on fire.”

St. Vincent also released a Spanish version of "All Born Screaming," titled "Todos Nacen Gritando" in November 2024, which features all her vocals meticulously translated into Spanish. She describes the album as a “little token” for her Spanish-speaking fans, who she had met on tour in South America and Spain.

“I had these pivotal moments where I was looking at thousands of people singing back to me in perfect English, in what was not their first, second, or maybe not even their third language. They’ve been coming to see me for so long, so it was like, why couldn’t I meet them halfway?”

On stage
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

Asked about her first impressions of Hong Kong and whether they could inspire her next industrial rock album, St. Vincent shared she is affected by the scale of the city’s architecture.

“What's interesting to me about the city, looking at it from above, is that there's so much going on, there's so many buildings and so many people, but it's not a grid. It has a circularity and flow to it. It should be total chaos, but it somehow works.”

Always attuned to her surroundings, St. Vincent believes her time in Asia will undoubtedly inspire new sounds. “I’ll get to discover bands in Hong Kong that I’ve never heard of before, so it will work its way into a song somehow,” she says.

St. Vincent and Guitarist
Courtesy of Clockenflap 2024

With her new album fresh off the ground and Asian tour ongoing (see dates in Chiba, Seoul and Manila scheduled for January, 2025) fans will be eagerly anticipating St. Vincent's next move. She certainly made her mark at Clockenflap 2024– leaving both veteran fans and newcomers satisfied yet craving more.

Given the extent of her experience and her endless curiosity for new influences, St. Vincent will surely continue to deliver new exciting sounds, keeping her work fresh and alive. She explains that there is no marketing plan. Instead, she goes where the music takes her.

“It's just a process of following music…What's going to be hot in two years, like who cares? I have no idea. Just believe in music. Music is stronger than we are.

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Happenings

A Recap of Clockenflap 2024 Hong Kong’s Epic Comeback

Untitled design 2024 12 02 T162136 221 Photo by Website/Clockenflap

Clockenflap, Asia’s premier outdoor music and arts festival, made a bold and triumphant return, treating Hong Kong to a weekend of unforgettable performances against the city’s iconic skyline.

Air
Courtesy of Clockenflap

Friday night set the tone with legendary French electronic duo Air headlining the Harbourflap Stage. Performing their groundbreaking debut album “Moon Safari” in full, they mesmerized the crowd as the city lights twinkled behind them. Sharing the main stage that evening were Cantopop star Carl Wong, The Hats On Band featuring Jer Lau, and Atlanta’s celebrated DJ/producer Porter Robinson, who lit up the night with a high-energy set, complete with a giant inflatable pink cat and a dazzling, illuminated drum display.

Porter Robinson
Courtesy of Clockenflap

The festival’s diverse stages showcased an exciting blend of genres and talent. The Park Stage by Martell was graced by South Korean shoegaze darlings The Black Skirts, while the Hang Seng Stage spotlighted a genre-hopping lineup, including Japanese hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts and Canadian alt-rockers Mother Mother. Chengdu post-punks Hiperson and LA dream-pop duo Bubble Tea and Cigarettes also made waves, while Canadian DJ/producer A-Trak electrified the Electriq Stage with his headline set.

central cee
Courtesy of Clockenflap

The weekend kept building with star-studded performances. Saturday saw UK Brit-Pop legends Suede deliver a spectacular 90-minute set, London rapper Central Cee, indie darling St. Vincent, and alternative pop artist Banks, while Australian indie rockers Last Dinosaurs and ghetto house provocateur Partiboi69 captured the day’s vibrant energy.

Banks
Website/Clockenflap

British psychedelic-pop icons Glass Animals brought the festival to a euphoric close on Sunday night. Other highlights included South Korea’s enigmatic J-pop vocalist yama, and US indie pop duo Bubble Tea and Cigarettes, alongside Hong Kong’s own An Id Signal.

In addition to musical performances, The Robot Stage offered a variety of engaging, family-friendly activities throughout the day. Futurescope captivated visitors with its dynamic and ever-evolving visual displays. The Electriq Stage provided wellness and relaxation-focused activities during the day, while The Origin, a mobile art installation and DJ booth, created spontaneous parties on the move.

Clockenflap 2024 wrapped up on a high note, promising an even more thrilling edition next year from Dec. 5 to 7, 2024. “Blind bird” tickets are already on sale via Ticketflap — don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic!

For more information, visit Clockenflap on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Happenings

Visionairs: Hong Kong’s First Permanent ArtTech Venue Opening at WestK

Untitled design 2024 11 25 T124747 482 Photo by Courtesy of Visionairs

Visionairs, the French pioneers of ArtTech, are set to unveil their first permanent exhibition space in Asia at Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) this December 2024.

Renowned for their innovative fusion of art, culture, history, and cutting-edge technology, Visionairs promises an immersive digital adventure, unlike anything Hong Kong has seen before.

Using state-of-the-art tools like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI), Visionairs will transform traditional storytelling into an interactive journey. Their upcoming exhibitions offer a high-definition exploration of reconstructed historical scenes, transporting visitors to different times and places with stunning accuracy.

Visionairs’ first showcase at WestK, Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition, will run from Dec. 8, 2024 to March 7, 2025, coinciding with the historic cathedral’s grand reopening in Paris.

Created by Histovery in collaboration with Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris and L’Oréal Groupe, the exhibition uses AR technology to bring the cathedral’s rich history to life, and has toured worldwide from Paris to Dubai, and Berlin to Shanghai before its arrival in Hong Kong.

Visitors can glimpse into 20 time portals, exploring the grandeur of Notre-Dame throughout the centuries. From walking its halls to standing atop its iconic roof, attendees will experience stories told by its original builders and uncover the secrets of the legendary cathedral.

Egyptian Tale

In March 2025, Visionairs will debut another groundbreaking exhibition, Revealing Tutankhamun – An Egyptian Tale. Using VR technology and authentic photography of Ancient Egyptian artwork, this exhibition offers a unique and rare look at the life of ancient Egyptians, their gods, and the story of King Tutankhamun.

General Admission tickets for Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition are priced at HK$298, while Concession tickets cost HK$198. Secure an Early Bird ticket for HK$248, available until Dec. 7, 2024. You can book it here. Stay tuned for more ticketing info about the Revealing Tutankhamun exhibition, to be announced in December.

For more information, visit Visionairs on their website, or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.

Location: Art Park, 22 Museum Drive, West Kowloon

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Nightlife

The Ultimate Guide to Clockenflap 2024: Music, Art, Food & More

Clockenflap header

Clockenflap 2024 is set to deliver an unforgettable experience, as Hong Kong’s premier international outdoor music and arts festival returns to the Central Harbourfront from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2024. With a newly unveiled map, stage lineup, and schedule, this year’s edition promises an unparalleled fusion of music, art, and entertainment.

Featuring six dynamic stages, over 24 diverse food and beverage outlets, captivating art installations, and a host of family-friendly attractions, the festival continues to be the ultimate celebration of creativity and culture, bringing together world-class performances and immersive experiences for fans of all ages.

Check our guide below to know what to expect, where to buy tickets, how to get to the venue, and more!

Music Stages and Artist Lineup

Clockenflap 2024 boasts an extraordinary lineup of international, regional, and local artists spread across its six dynamic stages. The Harbourflap Stage, the festival’s main stage, will feature iconic headliners like Jack White, Central Cee, and Air, alongside performances from St. Vincent, Glass Animals, and Sakurazaka46. The Hang Seng Stage showcases a diverse mix, including Suede, Jamie xx, and Creepy Nuts, alongside regional stars like Taiwanese indie-rockers deca joins and Japanese post-rock legends toe.

Harbourflap Stage Clockenflap
Photo by Clockenflap

The Park Stage by Martell highlights emerging talent, featuring acts like Korean shoegazers The Black Skirts, Filipino-Japanese pop queen ena mori, and Japanese-Australian indie outfit Last Dinosaurs. Electronic music enthusiasts can flock to Electriq, the dedicated dance stage, for pulsating sets by A-Trak, Partiboi69, and Yung Singh, as well as top Hong Kong DJs like Romain FX.

The Robot Stage transitions from family-friendly daytime programming to lively DJ performances at night, including a set from Taiwanese collective Golden English Party and a special anniversary set by festival co-founders. Finally, the Topper Stage keeps the energy high between Harbourflap performances, with a lineup of edgy global electronic acts like DJ Kulu and Neeno.

For the complete lineup and schedule, visit Clockenflap's website: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can also check the festival map below to know where to go.

Clockenflap festival map
Photo by Clockenflap

Arts and Family-friendly Activities

Apart from an amazing music lineup, Clockenflap will also serve exciting experiences for all ages with its vibrant arts and family programme.

This year’s art highlights include Futurescope, an immersive installation by UK-based Esthetika that showcases unique visuals by artists such as Brandon Li, Derry Ainsworth, and Max Hattler. Another standout is The Origin, a mobile DJ booth and art installation by Screw Up Studio and Matt Hui Yip Long, featuring electrifying live sets by DJ Diamond.

The interactive Hello Hong Kong Balloon Chain will also grace the skies, reaching over half a mile (800m), and be visible across the festival grounds both day and night with the help of custom LED lights.

Clockenflap balloon chain
Photo by Clockenflap

Adding to the immersive experience are breathtaking canopies by Alchemy Décor and the curated collection of abstract and psychedelic films, Relentless Melt No.36, by animation professor Max Hattler and Clockenflap artistic director Jay Hofmann-Forster.

Clockenflap alchemy decor
Photo by Clockenflap

For families, attractions and interactive activities like immersive soundscapes with Communal Frequencies, creative arts and crafts workshops by the Children’s Discovery Museum, and performances like Treasure Chest Theatre’s “The Butterfly Ball” will keep everyone entertained.

Families can also enjoy yoga and Animal Flow sessions, groove at the Drum Jam, dance with DJ Junk, and join the lively Team Beyond Party & Parade. On top of these, relaxation and healing options like sound baths and meditation add to the well-rounded experience. Check the schedules here to not miss out!

Keeping Festivalgoers Full While Doing the Right Thing

This year’s Clockenflap promises a feast for the senses while doing good, as it offers over 24 food outlets serving global cuisines and sustainable initiatives to reduce waste.

Festivalgoers can indulge in Festival Favorites like Little Bao, Bengal Brothers, NOSH, and El Taquero or savor premium burgers at Smoke & Barrel, Honbo, and Beef & Liberty. For an Asian twist, the Asian All-Stars section offers delights from Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant, Chubby Bento, and Morikawa. Quick bites from Pizza Hut, Egg Slut, and Cinnabon are also available, while local treasures like Chrisly Café and Explicit Spices represent the Hong Kong Heroes lineup.

For drinks, cognac house Martell is unveiling a fresh new side with its “Swift Label” at the Martell Bar, featuring an exclusive cocktail crafted with Martell Noblige. Looking to clink bottles with friends? Belgian-style lager Stella Artois will also be available at bars across the venue for those looking for that distinctive malty richness and crisp finish.

Clockenflap sustainability
Photo by Clockenflap

As a commitment to sustainability, Green Stations with clearly marked bins for recycling, compost, and other waste will be introduced, as well as Green Ambassadors who will serve as a guide for sorting waste. Festivalgoers are also encouraged to bring their own reusable water canisters and refill them at water stations for free. Complimentary rPET (recycled PET) water bottles are available while stocks last.

How to Get Tickets and Ticket Guidelines

Clockenflap 2024 tickets are available via Ticketflap. General admission prices are HK$1,990 for a 3-day weekend ticket and HK$1,280 for single-day tickets (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). For attendees under 18, U18 tickets are priced at HK$1,590 for the 3-day weekend pass and HK$880 for single days. Children under 3 years old can enter for free.

Clockenflap Harbourflap stage
Photo by Clockenflap

Ticketflap is the only authorized ticketing platform for Clockenflap. Tickets are non-transferable after being scanned at the festival entrance, and the name on the ticket must match the attendee’s photo ID (no photocopies!) upon entry. Name changes can be made any time before scanning by logging into your Ticketflap account and using the “Send Ticket” function. A successful name change should reflect in the recipient’s Ticketflap account for it to be valid.

How to Get to the Venue

Clockenflap 2024 will take place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel (HKOW). The venue is easily accessible by various modes of transportation, so visitors (especially non-locals) don’t have to worry about getting lost.

By bus, you can alight in Central, Admiralty, or at the outlying ferry piers and take a short walk to the site. For those traveling by MTR, the venue is about a 10-minute walk from either Central Station (Exit A) or Hong Kong Station (Exit A2). Ferry passengers can take the Star Ferry to Central and reach the site within a one-minute walk by heading left after disembarking. For taxi riders, alight at the Star Ferry taxi drop-off point and walk straight for up to four minutes until you reach the venue.

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Happenings

Art of Dying by Secret Theatre Delivers Dramatic Immersive Experience

Untitled design 2024 11 08 T163218 161 Photo by The Beat Asia

If you think you’ve seen it all – think again. Art of Dying, presented by Secret Theatre at the Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai, blurred the lines between immersive theatre, escape room, and high-octane thriller, had guests questioning reality, and whether they’d survive the night.

James Bond
The Beat Asia

Directed by acclaimed Artistic Director at Secret Theatre, Richard Crawford, this world premiere took guests on a wild, interactive journey across three floors and four distinct activation areas—ranging from a luxurious penthouse suite to a gritty, dungeon-like basement that felt straight out of a spy movie.

Upon purchasing tickets, attendees received sneak peeks via WhatsApp, detailing character roles, dress codes, and what to expect from the show. Then, once inside the secret venue, the real fun began.

Riddler
Courtesy of Secret Theatre

Thrust into the heart of action, you either joined a gang of darkly charming villains or stepping into the shoes of elite MI6 agents tasked with preventing a global catastrophe. The experience had the tension of Mission Impossible mixed with the twisted fun of The Joker, creating a high-stakes atmosphere where espionage and danger loomed at every turn.

harley quinn
Courtesy of Secret Theatre

The evening also featured a creative cocktail menu inspired by the characters themselves. VIP guests enjoyed four free-flowing specialty drinks, including The Riddler (a basil gin cocktail), Harley Quinn (an earl grey-infused espresso martini), The Joker (a Campari and vermouth mix), and Sixxx (a fizzy herbal concoction with ginger beer). Alongside these, guests indulged in gourmet bites like the Joker’s Caviar Surprise and Mini Wagyu Beef Sliders—perfectly paired with the evening’s high drama.

And the drama didn’t disappoint. One moment, you’re taking part in a candle-lit ceremony where James Bond communicates with his mother via Ouija board, and the next, you’re searching for clues scrawled in blood on a dungeon wall while trying to avoid the deranged antics of a masked villain in a trench coat.

The Grand Hyatt's prestigious location and elusive speakeasy Lips Cocktails & Theatre offered the perfect setting for Joker's Club and a high stakes mission.

Art of Dying cast
Courtesy of Secret Theatre

Whether you attended solo, on a date, or with a large group, Art of Dying was an unforgettable thrill ride that challenged your problem-solving skills, morality, and maybe even your costume choices.

For updates on future events, visit Secret Theatre on their website, or give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook.

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Hong Kong/ Vibe/ Artists

In Tune with Xiaolin: Crossover Musician Explores Eclectic Musical Styles

DJ Xiaolin2

In the daytime, Asia embraces a true hustle culture; by night, we let our hair down and erupt in a magnificent energy to good crowds and good music. In Tune With meets the electric DJs and music makers of Hong Kong and Asia to feel their pulse and uncover why they entered the frenetic nightlife industry.

Xiaolin is anything but your typical DJ. The Hong Kong-born DJ, producer, vinyl enthusiast, and multi-instrumentalist, is also a storyteller, whose sonic exploration knows no bounds.

Born Olivia Dawn Mok, Xiaolin honed her craft at The Juilliard School in New York and the Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, where she studied a wide range of genres from classical violin to jazz, world music, and electronic composition.

Xiaolin
Courtesy of Xiaolin

Inspired by the underground electronic cultures of the US and UK between the mid 80's to early 00's, Xiaolin's analog synth-heavy sound reflects her diverse influences, from her roots as a former professional concert violinist to her love of anime, video games, and Cantonese culture.

A resident DJ at Club and Founder of HEX/HEXSCAPES, Xiaolin is known for her sets that navigate the space between minimalist progressive house and glimmering techno, taking listeners on a journey of early trance beats with tribal rhythms and raw acid electro vibes. She also draws from her experiences playing agogos in a Batucada band to produce her uniquely ethereal sound.

Xiaolin’s musicality and curiosity has left a significant mark on the gritty electronic music scene in Asia. Hosting a bimonthly show on Baihui Radio China and making a splash with her recent Boiler Room debut in Singapore, she’s rapidly rising on the international stage.

Ahead of this weekend’s Shi Fu Miz festival, The Beat Asia caught up with Xiaolin to hear exclusive insights into her musical inspirations, classical roots, and passion for electronic music.

How would you describe your sound?

Xiaolin
Courtesy of Xiaolin

My sound has an organic 90’s touch, with ethereal harmonies, and a sense of journeying through a full spectrum of emotions.

I play quite a few different styles, but my sets are generally separated into sunshine and moonlight energy. Live house sets are usually on the sunshine side, with acid house and a lot of percussion and melodies, while live ambient sets are moonlight energy, with spacey and psychedelic textures.

Daytime DJ sets veer on the funkier less-serious side of electro and house while nighttime sets are more hypnotic, with heavier bassy electro & techno-leaning grooves and progressive energy.

What inspired you to start making music and pursue DJing as a career?

Xiaolin
Courtesy of Xiaolin

While I was at Berklee Valencia, I was about to take a job at Propellerhead Software in Stockholm, but my professors intervened and convinced me to stay an extra year to work on music.

Meeting Dave Smith and Roger Linn and experiencing the sound of the 303 for the first time inspired me to create music inspired by the 80’s-90’s. Seeing all these possibilities in how they translated on a larger dance floor really moved me.

I began producing first. It wasn’t until after collecting records for a few years that I started to build a bit of confidence to DJ. It was only when I joined that I fully began to embrace and accept myself as an electronic artist.

How has your formal classical music education impacted the music you produce?

Xiaolin in Studio
Courtesy of Xiaolin

Berklee taught me how to break the rules learned, but the discipline has come in handy too. I picked up my first record at Berklee Valencia and was introduced to Ableton [a music software], while learning jazz and world music.

There we were exposed to valuable mentors and had access to some crazy gear. I still go back to my mentor from school now for guidance whenever I pass by Europe. My time there was deeply life changing, and it’s still been applicable to what I do now.

You incorporate jazz and analog equipment, among other acoustic elements in your music. How do you fuse these elements with contemporary tools and genres?

Xiaolin playing violin
Instagram/ Xiaolin

The beauty of electronic music is the ability to combine music from different worlds while paying respect to the pioneers of each style. It’s like blending different cuisines together, without taking away from the original flavors.

I use plugins and analog gear to create warmth in the sound, allowing electronic elements to blend in more organically with live samples and recordings. On the flipside, coloring recorded sounds with effects and pedals help acoustic elements sit well in the mix.

Can you tell us more about your residency at 宀? How did you first get involved and what do you love to bring to the electronic music venue?

holds a special place in my heart. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am now. I have been going there since moving back to Hong Kong at the beginning of the pandemic.

I got involved when JF (宀 music director) came up to me and snapped at me from the bar: “Why aren’t you asking to play here?” I told him, “I’m just here to learn, it doesn’t feel right to impose.” He replied saying, “Most people are eager to play, here I am waiting for you to ask!”

Since we met, he has been a great friend and constant source of support. The HEX parties are seeing more regulars coming and becoming increasingly open-minded. Watching people release their worries on the floor motivates me to give more and connect with them. Dance is an incredible form of therapy.

What do you make of the music scene in Hong Kong?

Xiaolin DJing
Instagram/ Xiaolin

The Hong Kong scene is getting more and more exciting. Ever since COVID, new producers are emerging with interesting material.

I regularly attend HK Philharmonic Concerts, as well as jazz shows at the Carlyle. There is so much more in Hong Kong aside from electronic music. The underground jazz scene – like the Fountain de Chopin – is really fun and overlaps with some experimental electronic and 90’s hip-hop elements.

What trending music genres or styles have caught your interest lately?

Xiaolin on beach photoshoot
Courtesy of Xiaolin

90’s Detroit electro & 00’s electro house is making a bit of a comeback right now alongside 90’s more minimal/progressive house and techno records. There has also been a bit of an 80’s Asian disco/balaeric thing going on, and now we’re seeing more of the 00’s. I’m happy to see the dancefloor tempos going back down slightly (to a more normal speed)!

Who has left a lasting mark on your journey as an Artist?

Xiaolin
Courtesy of Xiaolin

My synthesis teacher at Berklee Valencia, Nacho Marco, who introduced me to acid house music. He [also introduced] me to Sonar Barcelona where I experienced Laurent Garniers 7-hour DJ set at SonarCar. He also showed me Ron Trent, Larry Heard, and Kraftwerk. I remember thinking, “What is this crazy music? I need to learn how to make it!”

There are fellow crew members including Mr. Ho and Sunsiare, who always give valuable feedback and advice.

More recently, meeting Jane (Fitz) in Hong Kong felt like a turning point. She is so inspirational having also begun her DJ journey in Hong Kong. I truly appreciate her energy and ethos not just in music, but also in life.

Other people who inspire me as both artists and humans include Polygonia, who also comes from a classical violin background, and Gonno, with whom I did my first proper Japan gig - they are among the calming sources of comfort and trust within this scene.

What can we expect from the upcoming seventh edition of Shi Fu Miz this year?

I will be doing a house-oriented set this time, on the Sunset Stage from 7 PM to 9 PM.

What’s next for Xiaolin?

This year has been the most exciting one so far. I will be stopping by Klymax in Bali, The Observatory in Saigon for a live night with Alex Kassian and Peter Van Hoesen. I’ll be playing at on December 6, Pawnshop Taipei the same weekend, and will finish up the year with Wonderfruit for the 428 crew and Enfold Stage.

There are some exciting projects for next year musically, but I can’t reveal them just yet. I can't wait to get back in the studio again!

You can keep up with Xiaolin on her Instagram @oliviaxiaolin.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous In Tune With profiles here.

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