Getting on a global groove

The Head in the Clouds music and art festival was started by 88rising, an Asian youth culture brand celebrated for bringing together some of the most inventive artists in Asia. The endeavor is dedicated to championing Asian youth culture, and acts as a cultural bridge between East and West.

Since its inception in 2018, the festival has traveled to various cities including Los Angeles, New York, Manila and Jakarta. The stop in Guangzhou, which took place on Sept 23 and 24, was long-awaited, and tickets sold out within 10 hours of release.

The festival adopted a dual-stage layout for the occasion, with one positioned on each side of the venue. This ingenious arrangement ensured the seamless flow of performances. As soon as one artist wrapped up their set, the stage on the opposite side would blaze into life, allowing the next artist to leap into their performance without a second's pause.

The event began in the early afternoon and ran late into the evening. As the night descended, the darkened sky was transformed into a captivating canvas of neon lights. The faces of festivalgoers lit up with unadulterated delight, hands swaying in harmony with the balmy breeze, as the rhythms surged through the crowd like a tidal wave, sweeping everyone up into a whirlwind of musical ecstasy.

Jackson Wong, from Hong Kong and being president of 88rising Greater China, likened the festival to a giant melting pot and says it's a gathering place for different cultures.

"We've invited not only domestic artists, but also foreign artists like Thai singer Milli, and Indonesian rapper Warren Hue, who are making their debut in China," he says.

"The choice of Guangzhou is because of the city's international image and its inclusivity, combined with its diversity of local cultures. This aligns perfectly with the festival's ethos of showcasing Asia's top talent, and sharing creative energy and love. We want to challenge the global stereotypes about Asians, and show they are a creative and dynamic part of the world."