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Clockenflap 2025: Franz Ferdinand, My Bloody Valentine, Beth Gibbons and more

Hong Kong’s favourite music spectacular is back from December 5 to 7 – here are our highlights to pencil into your festival diary

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Crowds gather on day two of Clockenflap 2024 at Central Harbourfront Event Space. The music festival returns from December 5-7 this year. Photo: Eugene Lee
Karen Cheung
Clockenflap is around the corner, and I’m ready to scream “sweet love illumination” as Franz Ferdinand take the festival stage again. The surprise addition of My Bloody Valentine to the line-up finally gave some on-the-fence indie fans the push they needed. And while Singaporean hyperpop star Yeule dropped out for health reasons, I’m looking forward to finding out if Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst is still capable of making me cry.

Below are acts to check out at the annual music gathering, plus a special theatrical experience.

Wendy Wander

Wendy Wander. Photo: courtesy Clockenflap
Wendy Wander. Photo: courtesy Clockenflap
Formed in 2018, this Taipei band has not exactly broken any new ground in the Taiwan indie scene: they are not as scrappily honest as Vooid (also performing in Hong Kong in December), as zeitgeisty as Clockenflap regulars No Party for Cao Dong, nor as deft at mixing feel-good sensibilities with the technical as Sunset Rollercoaster. But their dreamy, psychedelic music, infected with tinges of city pop, surely makes them the most romantic, and it’s the perfect soundtrack for a late-night stroll through the city. Fronted by their two lead vocals, the band won legions of new fans touring the region, including in Hong Kong, where they played last Christmas Eve.
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Friday, December 5, 7.15pm-8.15pm, Park Stage, Central Harbourfront

Soccer Mommy

Soccer Mommy. Photo: courtesy Clockenflap
Soccer Mommy. Photo: courtesy Clockenflap

Nashville native Soccer Mommy, aka Sophie Allison, was only 21 when Pitchfork named her debut album, Clean (2018), one of the 50 best albums of the year. Over the years she has carved out an authentic sound with her heartfelt lyrics and no-frills guitars that hail from the tradition of indie-alternative bands such as Wilco and Built to Spill, alongside fellow female singer-songwriters Jay Som and Sasami, whom she toured and collaborated with, respectively. Her song “Driver”, from her fourth and latest album, Evergreen (2024), was on heavy rotation during my commutes this year.

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