Live Nation clocks in a majority stake in Clockenflap Festival

Global entertainment company Live Nation has acquired a controlling interest in Hong Kong’s Clockenflap festival, including Clockenflap Presents, its live touring arm, with the exception of the ticket platform Ticketflap.

The acquisition comes after the festival’s first-ever sold-out event this month, following a years-long hiatus. Clockenflap, founded by Jay Forster, Mike Hill, and Justin Sweeting in 2008, has become Hong Kong’s premier arts and music event, expanding from its origins at Cyberport to accommodate tens of thousands of festivalgoers at West Kowloon Cultural District.

In 2016, the festival moved to Central Harbourfront to make way for the development of West Kowloon but was cancelled in November 2019 due to ongoing protests in Hong Kong. The festival remained off the city’s calendar due to Covid-19 restrictions, emerging in early March, days after Hong Kong’s universal mask mandate, the last of the city’s major social distancing restrictions, was lifted.

Live Nation has brought K-pop stars Blackpink and BTS to Hong Kong, as well as dance music festival series, Creamfields, which will return to Central Harbourfront in early April, with Calvin Harris, Tiesto, and The Chainsmokers headlining.

Clockenflap will return for a second 2023 edition in December, with ticketing and lineup details yet to be announced. Sweeting, the festival’s music director, said it would retain its mix of international and local acts, with a diverse balance of Western and Asian acts.

The partnership between Live Nation and Clockenflap comes as events across Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, are seeing a bloom in activity. Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival made its much-anticipated return over 3 to 5 March after a four-year hiatus, with a sold-out event that featured world-class live performances from a diverse array of artists, including Arctic Monkeys (UK), Balming Tiger (Korea), Bombay Bicycle Club (UK), The Cardigans (Sweden), Chai (Japan), HYBS (Thailand), Leenalchi (Korea), Milet (Japan), N.Y.P.D (Hong Kong), Wu-Tang Clan (US) and Yellow (Taiwan).

The Clockenflap team will continue to curate, manage and produce its festivals and events, now with access to Live Nation’s unparalleled festival portfolio and resources.

Justin Sweeting, co-founder, and music director of Clockenflap said the support and resources Live Nation brings will help Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival cement its position as one of the best city festivals in the world.

Mike Hill, co-founder and managing director of Clockenflap said by joining forces with Live Nation, Clockenflap can continue to grow its activities in Hong Kong and regionally. Roger Field, president of Live Nation Asia Pacific said Clockenflap’s festival delivery and expertise is an invaluable asset across the Asia region.

“Partnering with Clockenflap further demonstrates that Live Nation is committed to bringing world-class festivals and live entertainment experiences to Hong Kong fans," says Field. "Through Live Nation’s global network, we will enhance and grow the Clockenflap brand and deliver new and exciting live opportunities to the region."