Festival lineups from around the world continue to fill out their 2025 bills as the European festival season steps up a gear this weekend.

Portugal’s Nos Alive has replaced fallen headliners Kings of Leon with Muse, following a “freak accident” that resulted in the band cancelling their June/July dates. Muse will close the 10-12 July festival alongside Nine Inch Nails, with Olivia Rodrigo, Anyma, Sam Fender, Justice, and Noah Kahan also leading the event.

Poland’s Open’er Festival has added Gigi Perez, BigXThaPlug, Jan-Rapping, Kuban, IGO, Hubert., Antony Szmierek, BSK, Postman and the Real Fake Band, Cinnamon Gum and Yana to the Alter Art-backed event. It returns to Gdynia’s Kosakowo Airport from 2-5 July, bringing Linkin Park, Muse, Future, Massive Attack, Nine Inch Nails, and Gracie Abrams as headliners.

Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival has unveiled the first wave of its 2025 lineup, led by Franz Ferdinand, Beth Gibbons, Jacob Collier, Rich Brian, Yoga Lin, Panther Chan, and Black Emperor. It will return to Central Harbourfront Event Space from 5-7 December.

Malta’s Isle of MTV, a free festival in partnership with the Malta Tourism Authority, is set to return to the island’s Il-Fosos Square on 15 July, anchored by Brazilian star ALOK and Måneskin frontman Damiano David. Over its 16 editions, the event has featured the likes of Lady Gaga, Raye, OneRepublic, Snoop Dogg, David Guetta, and Alesso.

“It is with great pride that we welcome Isle of MTV Malta back to our shores, an event that not only exemplifies Malta’s vibrant summer ambiance but also serves as a premier platform for showcasing some of the world’s most exceptional musical talent,” says Carlo Micallef, CEO of the Malta Tourism Authority.

“The enduring partnership enhances Malta’s reputation as a distinguished destination for world-class entertainment”

“The enduring partnership between the Malta Tourism Authority and MTV underscores the convergence of two esteemed brands that have successfully cultivated a shared vision over the years, enhancing Malta’s reputation as a distinguished destination for world-class entertainment.”

Brazil’s The Town, a spin-off of the famed Rock in Rio, has completed its 2025 lineup. The five-day festival, set for 6-7 & 12-14 September at São Paulo’s Interlagos Race Track, will feature over 500 artists and be led by Travis Scott, Green Day, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, plus new addition Burna Boy.

France’s Rock en Seine has added 39 new names to its 20-24 August event, including Fat Dog, King Hannah, I Hate Models, Noname, Greentea Peng, Sofia Isella, Still Woozy, and many more. This year’s event, led by Chappell Roan, Queens of the Stone Age, A$AP Rocky, Anyma, Justice, Jamie xx, Vampire Weekend, Jorja Smith, and Fontaines D.C., will be held at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud at the edge of Paris.

Spain’s Primavera Sound is extending its electronic music offering with the new CUPRA Pulse stage, transforming part of the Barcelona festival into a club with the likes of LSDXOXO, DJ Playero, Crystallmess, La Chat, DJ Caio Prince, aya, Eera and Big Ang, along with DJ sets by Fcukers, Confidence Man, Lolahol, and Frost Children.

The 4-8 June festival, led by Charli xcx, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter, is also launching Primavera’s Nobody is Normal protocol against sexual assault and harassment within the community. The Parc del Fòrum site will feature two information stands and roaming staff trained to provide aid and combat hate speech.

“Both on stage and in front of it, Primavera Sound Barcelona works tirelessly to be a proudly plural, diverse and heterogeneous festival,” organisers say.

SM Entertainment’s UK iteration of its ‘K-pop stadium spectacular’ has moved to The O2 Arena

All This Orchestral will return to London’s BST Hyde Park series on 10 July this year, led by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The third edition of the day, the event aims to “bring classical music back for all” and will also feature Ben Palmer as conductor and Myleene Klass as host.

Iceland Airwaves has added another 20 names to its lineup, including Ari Árelíus, Bricknasty, Creature of Habit, Getdown Services, Joey Valance & Brae, Panic Shack, and PUNCHBAG. The conference and festival return to venues across Reykjavík from 6-8 November.

British Rapper Nines is launching a two-day festival, Crop Circle World, at Dreamland Margate from 6-7 September. Nines and Skrapz will headline the British music and culture event, supported by Berna, Larry June, Songer, Clavish, Chip, Tiggs da Author, Kenny Allstar, and many more.

In other news, SM Entertainment’s first UK iteration of its ‘K-pop stadium spectacular‘ SMTown Live, set for 28 June, has been moved from Allianz Stadium Twickenham (cap. 82,000) to the O2 Arena (20,000) at the promoter’s request.

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Clockenflap co-founder and head of music Justin Sweeting says the Hong Kong promoter has had its strongest year yet in terms of headline shows as it prepares for the return of its flagship festival next month.

The Magnetic Asia MD, who organises regular touring concerts in the region under the Clockenflap Presents banner, credits regional Asian talent with leading the charge, but notes to IQ there has been a cooling of the market from its post-Covid boom period.

“That peak has dipped now and we do see a general correction happening in recent times. So we’re very conscious, and as ever, highly selective about what we take on,” he says. “Hong Kong has always been a city in transition, and recent demographic shifts along with the general economic outlook and rising cost of living does for sure have knock on effects on our business.”

Sweeting lists shows by the likes of Slowdive, Ado, Girl In Red, Zutomayo, Parcels, Travis Japan, Explosions In The Sky, Yussef Dayes, Domi and JD Beck as 2024 highlights. However, the sector suffered a blow with the closure of the KITEC (Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre) earlier this year. The complex housed the 3,600-cap Music Zone, which hosted acts such as Tom Odell and Laufey.

“The major challenge of late has been venue availability, with a key venue hub – KITEC – closing down and leaving a void of spaces across various scales, which has yet to be filled. But there are new venues coming next year, along with the Kai Tak Sports Park, which will include stadium and arena options, all of which will provide much needed options and should put HK back on the map again for artists of various profiles.”

Kai Tak Sports Park, which will be operated by ASM Global, will be a new landmark for large-scale sports and entertainment in Hong Kong, featuring the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium with a retractable roof, the 10,000-cap Kai Tak Arena and the  5,000-cap Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.

Coldplay will play three sold-out nights at the stadium – their first shows in Hong Kong since 2009 – next April as part of the Asia leg of their 2025 Music of the Spheres World Tour.

“We have a slew of fantastic headline shows coming in the next few months”

Live Nation acquired a majority stake in Clockenflap and its flagship music and arts festival last year.

Founded in 2008, the three-day, 30,000-cap event is one of Asia’s best-known festival brands. Its 2024 edition is set for Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront from 29 November to 1 December, headlined by Jack White – who will be making his debut performance in Hong Kong – Air and Central Cee.

Also on the bill are the likes of St Vincent, Jamie xx, Suede, Glass Animals, Banks, Wisp, Serrini, Carl Wong And The Hats On Band ft Jer Lau, The Black Skirts, Misi Ke, Hiperson, Ena Mori and Turtle Island, Mother Mother, Porter Robinson, Fat Dog, A-Trak, Sim0ne, Partiboi69 and Dave Clarke.

“We’ve just announced our full lineup so it’s full steam ahead,” says Sweeting. “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone through our gates come 29 November for another three days of solid gold goodness under the city’s neon skyline.”

Outside of the festival, Sweeting says the firm has “much more in the pipeline”.

“We have a slew of fantastic headline shows coming in the next few months: Yoasobi, Hyukoh & Sunset Rollercoaster, Cigarettes After Sex, Milet, Aurora, Mogwai and a collaboration between Ichiko Aoba and the HK Philharmonic, to name but a few.”

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The smattering of festival lineup announcements has continued with Afro Nation Portugal, Ultra Music Festival and Country to Country the latest to show their hands for 2025.

Burna Boy and Tems will headline the fifth anniversary of The Malachite Group’s Afro Nation Portugal, which is set for Portimao from 9-11 July. The first wave of artists also includes Ayra Starr, Franglish, Tiakola, Gabzy, Innoss’B, Piano People, Scorpion Kings, DBN Gogo, Oskido, Rosey Gold, Vigro Deep, Mörda, Shakes & Les and KMAT.

Elsewhere, electronic music spectacular Ultra Music Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary in Miami at Bayfront Park between 28-30 March. The bill features the likes of Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Chase & Status, Carl Cox, Tiesto, Zedd, Deadmau5 B2B Pendulum, Armin van Buuren, Charlotte de Witte, Nero and Four Tet.

In addition, country music festival Country to Country (C2C) heads back to the UK from 14-16 March, headlined by Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson. Presented by SJM Concerts, AEG Presents, DFC and MCD in association with the Country Music Association (CMA), the event will run concurrently at The O2 in London, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and SSE Arena Belfast.

They will be joined by C2C debutants Dylan Gossett, Tyler Hubbard, Chayce Beckham, Shaboozey, Tucker Wetmore, Niko Moon and The Castellows, as well as the returning Nate Smith, 49 Winchester and Avery Anna, Wyatt Flores and Tanner Adell.

“We are more grateful than ever for the valuable role C2C has continued to play in developing audiences in the territory”

Since debuting at The O2 in 2013 with headliners Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood, C2C has grown to a three-day multi-arena festival.

“As country music continues to reach more fans around the world and achieve mainstream success in the UK, we are more grateful than ever for the valuable role C2C has continued to play in developing audiences in the territory,” says Milly Olykan, CMA VP, international relations and development. “The festival continues to be an unforgettable moment in the year for fans, as well as a key opportunity for artists to gain exposure in the UK market. We are incredibly proud of our continued partnership with C2C, and of the success to date of country music in the UK.”

The week prior (7-9 March), AEG and Semmel Concerts will present C2C Germany at Berlin’s Uber Eats Music Hall. Topped by Dylan Gossett, Midland and Lainey Wilson, it will also feature acts such as 49 Winchester, Dasha, Nate Smith, Wyatt Flores, Tucker Wetmore, Sam Barber, Chase Matthew and Shaboozey.

Meanwhile, Clockenflap has announced its first wave of names for 2024. The festival returns between 29 November to 1 December this year at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront, headlined by Jack White – who will be making his debut performance in Hong Kong – and Air.

Also confirmed are St Vincent, Jamie xx, Glass Animals, Mother Mother, Fat Dog, Porter Robinson and A-Trak, alongside talent from across the East Asian music scene such as Creepy Nuts, Yama, Deca Joins, Sakurazaka46 and Toe, among others.

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A second 2023 edition of Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest international outdoor music and arts festival, is planned for December.

The 30,000-capacity festival returned to Central Harbourfront Event Space between 3–5 March with a line-up including Arctic Monkeys, Balming Tiger and Bombay Bicycle Club – and sold out for the first time in its 15-year history.

It was the first time the festival had taken place since 2018, with the final pre-coronavirus edition (2019) cancelled at the last minute due to pro-democracy protests. The 2020 and 2021 editions were both cancelled due to strict restrictions on large-scale outdoor events.

Making up for lost time, the organisers of the festival – which was acquired by Live Nation soon after the March event – have planned a second 2023 instalment.

“I’ve always wanted Clockenflap to be one of the very best city-based festival experiences in the world, and that won’t change”

Pulp, Joji and Yoasobi will headline the 1–3 December affair at the Central Harbourfront. Idles, Caroline Polachek, No Party For Cao Dong, D4vd, BBNO$, Alex G, Novo Amor, Yard Act, Atarashii Gakko!, Kamaal Williams and Otoboke Beaver are also due to perform.

Ticket prices for the second 2023 edition have risen almost 23% to HK$1,990 for a 3-day pass, following the buy-out by Live Nation.

Clockenflap co-founder and music director Justin Sweeting told IQ he believes the new partnership with Live Nation will help cement its worldwide reputation.

“I’ve always wanted Clockenflap to be one of the very best city-based festival experiences in the world, and that won’t change,” he said, the day after the acquisition. “We’ll always look to continuously improve as we evolve.”

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Magnetic Asia’s Justin Sweeting tells IQ the Hong Kong market is enjoying a boom period, amid Clockenflap’s acquisition by Live Nation.

Live Nation announced yesterday that it had acquired a majority stake in the Hong Kong-based promoter and its flagship music and arts festival, with the Clockenflap team to continue to curate, manage and produce its events. Clockenflap also organises regular touring concerts in Hong Kong under the Clockenflap Presents banner.

Clockenflap 2023 was held from 3-5 March in Central Harbourfront Event Space with a line-up including Arctic Monkeys, Balming Tiger, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Cardigans and Wu-Tang Clan. Due to the pandemic, it was the 30,000-cap festival’s first edition since 2018 (its 2019 event was cancelled due to the Hong Kong protests) and came just days after the city finally lifted its mask mandate, which began in June 2020.

Sweeting, co-founder and music director, hails Clockenflap’s return, which coincided with a buoyant period for Hong Kong’s live music sector, as “incredible”.

“Many stars aligned both within and outside our control, including the mask mandate being lifted the week of the event, absolutely glorious weather and some truly sublime performances,” he says, speaking to IQ. “The audience at Clockenflap is already a very positive and open-minded one, though that was even more amplified this time. It was like the whole city had just been collectively let out into the wild, and it genuinely felt like the kick-off event for Hong Kong opening up to the world again.

“We’re in a period of boom at present, though am very conscious to take heed of the lessons learnt from watching the rest of the world open up before us, especially in terms of peaks and dips in demand levels.”

“I’ve always wanted Clockenflap to be one of the very best city-based festival experiences in the world, and that won’t change”

Sweeting says that demand was “strong”, with all ticket types for the festival, which was founded in 2008, selling out across the whole weekend for the first time.

“A combination of aggressive timelines, rising production costs and shifting goalposts related to the pandemic were consistent challenges,” he says. “Still, we were more than happy to face these each day as it ultimately meant that we could finally get back to the fun stuff too.

“There were so many magic moments, and honestly, just the fact that we were able to be back on again without any restrictions in play was the overriding highlight for me. I can’t really overstate what a great feeling it was to be fully back.”

With Clockenflap’s next edition confirmed for 1-3 December 2023, Sweeting is convinced its new partnership with Live Nation will help cement its worldwide reputation.

“I’ve always wanted Clockenflap to be one of the very best city-based festival experiences in the world, and that won’t change,” he adds, speaking before yesterday’s announcement. “We’ll always look to continuously improve as we evolve.”

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Live Nation has acquired a majority stake in Hong Kong-based promoter Clockenflap and its flagship music and arts festival.

One of Asia’s best-known festival brands, Clockenflap made its return in early March after a four-year hiatus, featuring artists including Arctic Monkeys, Balming Tiger, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Cardigans and Wu-Tang Clan.

The Clockenflap team will continue to curate, manage and produce its events, with co-founder and music director Justin Sweeting confident that Live Nation’s support and resources will help cement its status internationally.

“It was a wonderful feeling seeing a capacity crowd at the festival last weekend – Clockenflap has one of the most positive and open minded audiences in the world,” he says. “The Live Nation team share our vision for Clockenflap being one of the best city festivals in the world, and with Live Nation’s support and resources, I’m excited for the future of the festival.”

Founded in 2008, the three-day, 30,000-cap festival takes place at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space. Its next edition has been confirmed for 1-3 December 2023.

“By joining forces with Live Nation, we can continue to grow the festival and expand our event activities in Hong Kong and regionally”

Clockenflap also organises regular touring concerts in Hong Kong under the Clockenflap Presents banner, with recent sold-out shows announced for Cigarettes After Sex and Honne, and its partnership with Live Nation comes at a time events in the region are seeing a bloom in activity.

“Over the last 15 years we have grown Clockenflap into a world-class three-day festival,” says Clockenflap co-founder and MD Mike Hill. “By joining forces with the global leaders in entertainment, Live Nation, we can continue to grow the festival and expand our event activities in Hong Kong and regionally.”

“Partnering with Clockenflap further demonstrates that Live Nation is committed to bringing world-class festivals and live entertainment experiences to Hong Kong fans,” adds Live Nation APAC president Roger Field. “Our team is dedicated to supporting Mike, Justin and their team’s exceptional skills and capabilities, and through Live Nation’s global network we will enhance and grow the Clockenflap brand and deliver new and exciting live opportunities to the region.”

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Reading and Leeds (UK), Clockenflap (HK), Hangout (US), Open’er (PL), Colours of Ostrava (CZ), Ejekt (GR) and Rockwave (GR) have unveiled fresh waves of artists for next year’s events.

The UK’s premiere rock and pop festival Reading & Leeds has revealed Lewis Capaldi, Foals, Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Fender and Imagine Dragons as next year’s six headliners.

Other acts lined up for the August bank holiday (25–27) bash include Wet Leg, Slowthai, Bicep, Becky Hill, Steve Lacy, Central Cee, MUNA, The Snuts, Tion Wayne and more.

Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest international outdoor music and arts festival, has also announced the first wave of acts confirmed to perform at Central Harbourfront from 3–5 March 2023.

Headliners Arctic Monkeys will be joined by French synth-rockers Phoenix, local hip-hop protegee YoungQueenz, Norwegian folk-pop duo Kings of Convenience and German electronic supergroup Moderat among others.

Clockenflap last took place in 2018, with the final pre-coronavirus edition (2019) cancelled at the last minute due to pro-democracy protests. The 2020 and 2021 editions were both cancelled due to strict restrictions on large-scale outdoor events.

Hangout has announced Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, Calvin Harris, Paramore, Lil Nas X, Flume, Skrillex and The Kid Laroi

Elsewhere, US festival Hangout has announced a number of blockbuster acts including headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, SZA, Calvin Harris, Paramore, Lil Nas X, Flume, Skrillex and The Kid Laroi.

Joining them on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama, between 19 and 21 May 2023, is Mayday Parade, The Maine, Tove Lo, Alison Wonderland and more.

The festival, which is produced by Sean O’Connell in partnership with Goldenvoice, is touted as “the most anti-winter, adulting-be-damned, carefree getaway possible”.

Poland’s Open’er festival is also taking shape, with Lil Nas X confirmed as a headliner for what will be his first-ever show in the country.

Rap royalty Kendrick Lamar has also joined the bill, which already boasts Arctic Monkeys, Lizzo, Queens Of The Stone Age, OneRepublic and Nothing But Thieves.

The festival will return to Gdynia Kosokowo Airport between 28 June and 1 July 2023, and is once again promoted by Alter Art.

Poland’s Open’er festival has added Lil Nas X and Kendrick Lamar to an already stand-out lineup

The Polish promoter is also firming up the bill for its other marquee festival Orange Warsaw, which has so far secured Sam Smith and The 1975 for next year’s instalment.

The 14th edition of the 10,000-capacity festival is slated to take place at the Horsetrack Warsaw-Służewiec between 2 and 3 June 2023.

Across the border, Czech Republic’s Colours of Ostrava is coming together, with One Republic, Macklemore, Tom Grennan and Sleaford Mods among the confirmed artists.

The festival, which takes place in the industrial area of a former mining site in Ostrava, hosts acts over two dozen outdoor and indoor stages, as well as providing a programme of cinema, theatre, literature and art. The event will return to Dolní Vítkovice between 19–22 July 2023.

In Greece, Ejekt festival has confirmed Florence and the Machine for next year’s edition, slated for 2 July 2023 at Plateia Nerou, Athens. The 2022 event, which was the 21st, featured Muse, Yungblud and Nothing But Thieves.

Elsewhere in the country, Xlalala’s Rockwave has confirmed Robbie Williams, Deep Purple and Saxon for the Terra Vibe Park festival, which will run throughout July 2023.

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Industry executives in Asia are sceptical about what’s in store for 2022, warning that the ‘groundhog day’ caused by enduring restrictions could long continue.

Speaking in the new issue of IQ, Michael Hosking of Midas Promotions – a leading promoter in South East Asia –  has predicted “another fruitless first three quarters in Asia”.

“But I’m hoping that we can have some shows in the final quarter of 2022… as long as we don’t get hit by the variant,” adds Hosking.

Justin Sweeting, co-founder of Hong Kong’s biggest music festival Clockenflap, shared a similar outlook on the year ahead.

“Stop. Start. Stop. Start. The stuttering groundhog day roundabout continues. I just hope we can get the proper opportunity to show that not only can events take place, in many senses, they’re actually the safest places to be in the city with testing and precautions in place,” he says.

Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival last took place in 2018, with the final pre-coronavirus edition (2019) cancelled at the last minute due to pro-democracy protests in the former British territory, which has been a special administrative region of communist China since 1997.

The 2020 and 2021 editions were both cancelled due to strict restrictions on large-scale outdoor events.

“I’m guessing it will be five or six years before attending two concerts a month will be back on the agenda for most people”

In the absence of the flagship festival, the Clockenflap Presents team organised a one-day festival, Long Time No See, last August in Mongkok.

Sweeting says that returning to live was his biggest highlight of 2021: “Seeing what live returns can look like in real life and that it is possible to hold events, both large and small, within a pandemic if the suitable precautions and steps are taken.”

He hastens to point out that one of the biggest challenges the market currently faces is navigating the patchwork of restrictions and requirements across the region.

“If an artist is up for spending quarantine time, there’s a captured market available! Otherwise, a challenge we face across Asia as a region is that different countries are opening up at different times and rates with different requirements,” he explains.

With that in mind, Hosking says it could take half a decade for the industry to return to 2019 levels of activity.

“I’m guessing that following the ‘dead cat bounce’ it will be five or six years before attending two concerts a month will be back on the agenda for most people – especially those who’ve not earned and saved on full salaries these past two years. I hope I’m WRONG!” he says.

“The pandemic is both dynamic and endemic and so isn’t going to just disappear any time,” adds Sweeting.

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Clockenflap Presents, the concert series organised by Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s biggest annual music festival, has announced Long Time No See, a one-day festival featuring some of the brightest musical talent in Hong Kong.

Taking place on Saturday 18 September at the 1,800-seat MacPherson Stadium in Mongkok, the show will mix much-loved veteran acts with up-and-coming stars. Among those performing are YellowPeril (featuring LMF’s Mc Yan), breakthrough acts such as Anna Hisbbur and Charming Way, and a full-band set from singer-songwriter Cehryl.

Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival last took place in 2018, the final pre-coronavirus edition (2019) cancelled at the last minute due to pro-democracy protests in the former British territory, which has been a special administrative region of communist China since 1997. Its 2021 edition is scheduled for 26–28 November at the Central Harbourfront Event Space in Central, Hong Kong Island.

Tickets for Long Time No See are priced at HK$480 (€52) + booking fee.

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Magnetic Asia announced today (Friday 15 November) that the recent worsening of the situation in Hong Kong has made it “impossible” for Clockenflap festival to go ahead as planned next weekend.

The Clockenflap promoter had previously stated its commitment to putting on the festival, despite the cancellation of other high-profile events due to continuing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.

Mumford and Sons, Babymetal, Halsey, Metronomy and Bombay Bicyle Club were among acts billed to play the 60,000-capacity festival from 22 to 24 November.

However, due to “the escalation in the crisis this week, and the uncertainty this creates for the coming weeks” the event has now been cancelled.

“We still believe in bringing people together in positive ways, and will continue to unite people through the power of music and arts”

“While it pains every one of us at Magnetic Asia to cancel Clockenflap 2019, we still believe in bringing people together in positive ways, and will continue to unite people through the power of music and arts,” reads the statement from organisers.

Full refunds will be issued to all those who purchased tickets through official channels.

Fans have shown support for Magnetic Asia on Facebook, thanking the team for their efforts and sympathising with what was evidently a “difficult decision”.

Positivity and determination have characterised the live music community in Hong Kong since unrest began in June. Clockenflap music director and Magnetic Asia co-founder Justin Sweeting has been especially vocal in iterating the potential of music and the arts to bring Hongkongers together in positive ways during difficult times.

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