88rising has returned in full force for their fifth annual Head In The Clouds Music Festival in LA since the festival’s inception in 2018. Attendees traveled from all around the globe to enjoy a 2-day celebration of all things Asian music and culture at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, from Saturday, August 5 to Sunday, August 6, 2023. With two stages, a dance tent, and an Amazon live stream, the music of the Asian diaspora has finally solidified its place as a key player in the modern music industry. Headlined by Jackson Wang on Saturday and Tiger JK, YoonMirae, MaSiWei, KnowKnow, and the 88rising crew on Sunday, this epic 2-day event drew massive numbers.

Festival-goers weren’t the only folks to fly in for the event, as artists hailing from countries all across the world came to perform sets in this festival lineup. Despite hotter-than-anticipated weather, fans withstood the blazing sun for 8 to 12 hours (sometimes more!) just to secure a close-up spot to see their favorites perform.

Day 1 of Head In The Clouds began on Saturday, August 5 with attendees roving around the festival grounds to enjoy a series of immersive experiences hosted by notable brands like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Johnnie Walker, JINRO, Honda, and Melona, just to name a few. Crane games, photo-ops, and freebies like hand fans and parasols helped to entertain and keep guests cool. 

For the fifth year in a row, the 626 Night Market presented the biggest array of food and drink the festival has seen thus far, featuring delicious eats and refreshing treats ranging from classic Asian eats like Japanese sandwiches and noodles, Chinese dim sum, and Korean barbeque. For the first time in the festival’s history, they also included a Boba Village, including a host of notable vendors to help keep attendees cool and hydrated throughout the weekend.

Performances were spread across both days beginning at noon and lasting into the evening across two outdoor stages. Festival goers walked between the 88rising Main Stage and Honda Double Happiness Stage to enjoy the acts they traveled miles to see. Attendees also took breaks in the air-conditioned and club-like atmosphere of the Eternal Energy Dance Tent presented by AT&T between sets.

K-Pop fans in particular enjoyed performances from artists like the iconic soloists Rina Sawayama and Stephanie Poetri, household favorites, DPR LIVE & DPR IAN, rapper Keith Ape, and most notably, the Magic Man himself, Jackson Wang, on Day 1. On Day 2, K-Pop lovers were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of songbirds, Yerin Baek and Zion.T, rising global girl group, XG, and Tiger JK and Yoon Mirae as headliners. This explosive set of performances culminated in an encore of epic proportions featuring some of the biggest hits from all participating artists and surprise guests and collaborations between them. 

The fifth annual 88rising Head In The Clouds Music Festival has proven itself as an unparalleled celebration of Asian music and culture, transcending borders and uniting fans from around the world. With a stellar lineup of impactful performances and immersive experiences, the festival showcased the undeniable influence and power of the Asian diaspora and its impact on modern youth. Despite scorching temperatures, devoted attendees braved the elements, demonstrating their unwavering support for their favorite artists and the now global impact of Asian music as a whole. As the festival drew to a close, it left an indelible mark, solidifying its place as a transformative and unifying force in the global music landscape. Head In The Clouds has truly elevated Asian music to new heights, leaving us eagerly anticipating what the future holds for both this event and the landscape of what Asian music has to offer globally.

Did you attend Head In The Clouds LA 2023? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!