Head in the Clouds LA Review

Review by Ricky Bantog

Brookside at the Rose Bowl | Pasadena, CA

August 5-6, 2023

The fifth annual Head in the Clouds Los Angeles was a triumphant celebration of Asian and Asian diaspora music, pop culture, and food that exceeded all expectations. Held at the Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the festival brought together an eclectic lineup of artists from 88rising's roster and beyond. From the moment fans stepped onto the festival grounds, they were immersed in a world of giant inflatables of the festival’s mascot Clo, a cute cartoon cloud, and mouthwatering Asian-inspired cuisine that set the stage for an unforgettable experience.

The food offerings at the festival, curated by the renowned 626 night market, were a delightful surprise. From delectable dumplings to boba tea and Korean BBQ, the culinary delights surpassed the usual fare found at music festivals. My taste buds were treated to an array of flavors, with personal favorites including the massive Korean style corn dogs from Ghostix and the perfectly sweetened and incredibly refreshing Dragonfruit Mango Green Tea from Bobaful. The only regret I had was not having more of these delicious treats for the drive home.

The music, however, was undoubtedly the focal point of the festival. The Eternal Energy Dance Tent, a personal favorite of mine from last year’s festival, was the place to be during the hot and sunny hours of the weekend. With its nightclub-like ambiance, DJs kept the energy high throughout the weekend with Tokimonsta closing out Saturday night and fan favorite SOSUPERSAM making an appearance on Sunday. The atmosphere in the tent was immaculate, and hearing DJs go from bass heavy tracks to culture-defining rap in that setting was an unforgettable moment that I know will stay with festival goers for a long time. Keeping my fingers crossed that the Head in the Clouds team continues to expand this area of the event.

The main stages, 88rising Stage and Double Happiness Stage, hosted a star-studded lineup of artists. From Rich Brian and Zedd to Yoasobi and XG, the performances were nothing short of awe-inspiring. The artists each had approximately 30-minute sets which is generally shorter than most artists’ sets for their own tour, but this short time frame allowed for a non-stop entertainment experience with artists delivering exhilarating performances one after another. Jackson Wang easily stole the show on Saturday night with his crisp choreography and overall jaw dropping performance which gave the audience a taste of his Magic Man Experience. On Sunday, Rina Sawayama blew the crowd away with her several outfit changes and top notch production in nearly triple digit weather; truly a festival headliner worthy performance.

The Head in the Clouds LA’s fifth edition was an overall success. With its stellar lineup, delectable food offerings, and electric atmosphere, the festival continues to set itself apart as a unique and inclusive celebration of Asian culture and music. I, and I know many others share the same sentiment, left the festival grounds with a heart full of joy, memories to last a lifetime, and an eager anticipation for what next year's edition will bring.