Anson Lo expects wonderful performances at 'HKT x WESTK POPFEST' music festival

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (the Authority or WKCDA) and HKT join together to proudly present Hong Kong's flagship pop music festival "HKI X WESTK POPFEST" (POPFEST) today (Aug. 29), which will be staged from 31 October to 3 November 2024 at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK). With HKT as title sponsor and the WKCDA Performing Arts Division as curator and producer, the second edition of POPFEST will present a stellar lineup of pop talent over four consecutive days, featuring the hottest local idols and groups including Anson Lo from MIRROR, COLLAR, Jeffrey Ngai, Phoebus from P1X3L and Yan Ting, as well as popular overseas artists including Jorja Smith, MONDO GROSSO, Hikari Mitsushima, Colde and SHOU. More than 60 programmes will be staged across WestK's diverse venues, including Wonderland, Freespace, Art Park, M+ and Lau Bak Livehouse.

The second edition of POPFEST will continue to blend pop culture with artistic creativity, with the award-winning UK immersive art light installation Submergence featured at WestK's Harbourside Lawn, and HKT x WESTK POPFEST: "Submerged Paradise" - Harbourside Installation Dance, the city's largest-ever music and dance party. Curated by renowned dance director Mak Chau-shing and joined by local pop artists and dancers including Stanley from MIRROR and King Maker V Champion Lyman Heung, POPFEST will offer music fans a one-of-a-kind multidimensional experience.

POPFEST is also supported by American Express, POPFEST's Payment Partner; Cathay, WKCDA's Travel Partner.

Jat Sew-tong, Chairman of the WKCDA Performing Arts Committee, said, "POPFEST showcases the forward-looking approach of WestK as a cultural landmark, testifying to our commitment to fostering the development of Hong Kong's performing arts industry. For the second edition of POPFEST, we are excited to offer audiences a one-of-a-kind music festival experience in indoor and outdoor venues spanning across the District. We are grateful to HKT, the title sponsor of POPFEST for the second year, and our other sponsors and partners, for their staunch support. We look forward to welcoming music fans and arts and culture enthusiasts from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas to join POPFEST, one of the best musical extravaganzas in Hong Kong."

Susanna Hui, HKT Group Managing Director, said, "HKT has always connected people and enriched their lives through creativity and innovation. We are delighted to collaborate once again with WestK and join hands with a group of talented musicians and dancers to create 'HKT X WESTK POPFEST'. By blending popular music with various art forms, we hope everyone in Hong Kong can enjoy a brand-new music and art experience, promoting the development of local art and culture, while also attracting more tourists to feel the vibe of Hong Kong as an international event hub."

Headliners from Hong Kong and overseas perform for two nights on the Wonderland stage HKT X WESTK POPFEST: Popnorama - the major highlight of POPFEST - will take over the iconic outdoor stage Wonderland at WestK on 2 and 3 November, featuring 10 top-notch pop acts from Hong Kong and around the world. The first evening (2 November) will present a stellar lineup of local idols, while the following evening (3 November) will spotlight hitmakers from the UK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, promising to take POPFEST to new heights. Among those appearing over the two nights are:

2 November (Saturday):

• Anson Lo from MIRROR;

• Girl group COLLAR;

•Jeffrey Ngai;

• Phoebus from P1X3L;

•Yan Ting;

3 November (Sunday):

• UK R&B singer and Brit Awards "Best British Female Artist" 2019 Jorja Smith;

•Japanese singer Hikari Mitsushima in a crossover with Japanese producer MONDO GROSSO;

• Korean R&B singer-songwriter Colde, and

• Taiwanese singer-songwriter SHOU

Independent music producer J3M1 collaborates with local singers for "Celestial Unboxed"

HKT x WESTK POPFEST: Celestial Unboxed takes place at The Box at Freespace on 2 and 3 November, featuring local independent music producer J1M3 - a close collaborator with various popular singers and bands - as music director together with four local singers each with a distinct personal style. Embracing the explorative spirit of Freespace, the concert's concept draws on the four astrological elements, Fire, Earth, Water and Wind, to present pop music works and arrangements with contrasting lighting and video that embody the passionate intensity of fire, the stability and solidity of the earth, the fluidity and sensitivity of water, and the ever-changing nature of wind. The featured artists are:

• Jaime Cheung from girl group Beanies (Wind);

• Kendy Suen (Earth);

• Zelos Wong (Fire), and

• Zeno Koo (Water)

Innovative cross-disciplinary collaboration blending pop music, dance and visual arts

As a cultural and artistic landmark in Hong Kong, WestK is dedicated to promoting cross-disciplinary collaborations across different art forms and genres, fostering the development of the local arts and culture scene. This year's POPFEST will take an innovative approach to integrating elements of dance and the visual arts, offering audiences a unique outdoor music festival experience.

Submergence, a massive immersive light installation created by internationally acclaimed UK artistic team Squidsoup, will be staged at Harbourside Lawn East from 1 to 3 November. This award-winning installation has been exhibited in more than 70 countries and regions, including Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, the UK and Argentina and received widespread acclaim.

Against the backdrop of Submergence, an outdoor music and dance party, HKT × WESTK POPFEST: "Submerged Paradise" - Harbourside Installation Dance, will be held over three consecutive nights (1 to 3 November). Renowned Hong Kong choreographer Mak Chau-shing and beatboxer DJ Heartgrey will join forces to curate and host the party that will feature a dizzying array of dance genres, including city pop, urban, jazz funk, hip hop, tap dance, Latin dance and contemporary ballet, alongside street dance battles and parkour displays. Resident dancers from the Hong Kong Dance Company will perform contemporary Chinese dance, with different special guest artists joining each night to take the festival experience to new heights. The artist line-up includes:

•Stanley Yau from MIRROR;

•Fatboy from ERROR;

•Lyman Heung, Champion of King Maker V;

• KC Wong;

• Tsoul;

• Ben Chiu and more

Audiences can wander freely among the dazzling, colorful strands of light and experience the energetic festival vibe. Admission to Submergence and the "Submerged Paradise" Dance Party is free. Details will be announced in due course.

Apart from the ticketed programmes, a variety of free music programmes and events will take place from 31 October to 3 November on multiple WestK stages during POPFEST, including the Art Park Great Lawn, Harbourside Lawn East and West, M+, and Lau Bak Livehouse. Details will be announced in late September.

1010, csl, The Club, HKT Enterprise Solutions, HKT Home Phone, 1010 HOME, NETVIGATOR, Now TV, Tap & Go and FWD Insurance are the co-sponsors of HKT × WESTK POPFEST.

POADmedia is the outdoor media partner of HKT × WESTK POPFEST; Commercial Radio 2 is the media partner of HKT x WESTK POPFEST.

Information on ticketing and other programs

• Tickets for the POPFEST ticketed programs will be available for sale from 10 am on 13 September 2024 on Cityline. Visit the Cityline website at www.cityline.com or call the telephone booking hotline at (+852) 2111 5333.

• Payment Partner American Express offers its eligible Cardmembers exclusive priority booking and ticketing privileges for HKT x WESTK POPFEST: Popnorama from 3 pm on 2 September 2024 till 11:59 pm on 12 September 2024, with up to 15% savings on regular-priced tickets. This offer is subject to availability and the organiser reserves the rights of final decision in case of any disputes.

•For the latest program and ticketing details, please refer to the WestK website:https://www.westk.hk/en/popfest