Over the last weekend of November, Clockenflap 2024 transforms Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbor into a gathering place for music lovers, blending the city’s historical and cultural vibrancy with a lineup that spans genres and borders.
Between November 29 and December 1, more than 60,000 fans came together to witness a mix of performances by Jack White, Central Cee and St. Vincent alongside AIR, Creepy Nuts, Glass Animals and local and international acts. Since its beginnings as an independent gathering in 2008, Clockenflap has grown into a major international event, attracting world-class artists and fans from around the world.
Jack White’s closing performance on the Harborflap stage was the rocker’s Hong Kong debut. White wasted no time and dove headfirst into the albums of his illustrious career, taking excerpts from his three No. 1 Billboard 200 albums— Cum, Lazaretto, and Dormitory range. Fans erupted when Jack White returned with The Raconteurs’ “Steady, As She Goes,” which was written by White and Brendan Benson and peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at Alternative Radio. Ranked No. 1 on the leaderboard (formerly Modern).
But it is undeniable that this night belongs to the “Seven Nations Army”. Long after White left the stage, his signature riff was chanted by thousands of fans and echoed across Victoria Harbour, giving the festival a powerful and unforgettable send-off.
On the Hang Seng Stage on Friday night, the highly anticipated performance of Japanese hip-hop group Creepy Nuts, consisting of R-shitei (R-rated), is the first MC in J-rap history to win the top domestic MC battle competition three consecutive UMBs Grand Champions, and DJ Matsunaga, who won the DMC World DJ Championship, the world’s largest DJ competition, in 2019 and performed at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The pair’s fast rapping brought a fresh and frenetic energy that brought the audience to its feet. Their hit song “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” appears in the second season of the anime Masle: Magic and Muscleis an unexpected highlight.
The track’s success includes reaching No. 1 on the 2024 Billboard Japan Hot 100 year-end chart. Billboard’s annual Japanese streaming songs, popular animation and downloaded songs rankings. Their latest single “Otonoke” has reached new heights, ranking first on the Japanese Billboard Hot 100 and the World Digital Song Sales Chart.
Set against stark musical contrasts and the twinkling lights of the Hong Kong skyline, AIR’s ethereal soundscape created an unforgettable atmosphere on the Harborflap stage. The iconic French electronic duo’s performance featured their acclaimed song “Highschool Lover.” virgin suicide Fraction. The soundtrack was released in 2000 to critical acclaim and peaked at No. 161 on the Billboard 200 chart. “Sexy Boy” and the gorgeous “La femme d’argent,” moon safari.
One of the UK’s hottest drill artists, Central Cee turns tropical nights into his own lyrical playground with gritty tracks like ‘Doja’ and ‘Sprinter’. He ranked No. 19 and No. 10 respectively on the Billboard Global 200 chart, and represents a new generation of global artists who refuse to be limited by geographical boundaries.
Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” took the music world by storm and captivated crowds as they showcased their record-breaking Billboard Hot 100 performance. The single holds the record as the longest-running song on the Billboard Hot 100, having lasted an unprecedented 91 weeks. Its journey to the top was equally remarkable, taking 59 weeks to reach No. 1, the longest time in Hot 100 history.
British EDM icon Jamie xx closed out the final night at Clockenflap with an energetic set on the Hang Seng Stage, which featured tracks from his critically acclaimed album color. The album debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 chart and topped the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, selling 19,000 copies in its first week in the U.S. and charting at number 70 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Zhou, impressive.
Jamie kicks off his popular album with “Wanna” and “Treat Each Other Right,” blending fan-favorites with fresh material. Highlights include “Gosh,” which peaked at No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, as well as “Obvs” and new tracks such as “Falling Together” and “All You Children.”
Deep cuts like “Breather” and “Life” added depth to the performance, while “Loud Places” stayed on the Billboard Dance Singles chart for nine weeks, peaking at No. 17, and provided audiences with moments of joy. The whole performance ended with “Team End”, and the audience’s emotions undeniably reached a climax.
Porter Robinson takes the audience on a sonic journey. Robinson’s collaboration with Madeon, “Shelter,” peaked at No. 16 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, while the introspective “Blossom,” which peaked at No. 46 on the same chart, weaves together emotion and euphoria. . Named one of Billboard’s 21 Under 21 in 2011, the mega-pop star showcases his evolution as an artist, including tracks from his latest album Smile! 😀 The album debuted at No. 10 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart this year.
St. Vincent once again delivers a genre-defying performance featuring fan favorites “Cheerleader” and “New York” as well as new tracks from her latest album Everything is born to screamsuch as “Flea” and “Big Time Nothing.” Her crowd dive was a highlight, embodying the energy and unpredictability that defines her art. Her latest album, Everything is born to screamThe debut album peaked at No. 86 on the Billboard 200 and No. 13 on the Independent Albums Chart. The record also received four Grammy nominations, including one for Best Alternative Music Album.
Local and regional acts add even more flavor to the weekend. Japanese singer Yama took the Martell’s Park Stage to perform “Haru wo Tsugeru,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Japanese Billboard Hot 100, her voice carrying a soulful and clear voice through the harbor.
Japanese girl group Sakurazaka46 lit up the Harborflap stage with their synchronized choreography “Nobody’s Failure,” which topped both the Oricon singles chart and Japan’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, selling more than 408,000 copies in its first week.
Australian DJ Partiboi69, known for his unique mix of ghetto music, Miami bass, electronica, Detroit techno and 90s rave music, delivered a party starter that kept the crowd pumped late into the night. His energetic turns and unexpected track selections had attendees on their feet, while local performer Robot Presents Spider Gubbins, performing on an inflatable Bowser shell, added a playful touch to the festival night.
Whether it’s Japan’s Creepy Nuts bringing edgy hip-hop, the UK’s Central Cee injecting gritty beats into the event, or France’s AIR captivating the crowd with their ethereal electronic soundscapes, the festival showcases diverse musical traditions How to cross.
Early bird tickets for Clockenflap 2025 can be purchased here .
