Festival Guide 2017: Asia and Australia
From one-off gigs in the shadow of one of Australia's most iconic buildings to outdoor fests across Asia, we pick out some of the best music festivals in Asia and Australia in the coming year...
Sónar Hong Kong
Hong Kong Science Park, China, 1 Apr
Sónar continues to set its sights further and further afield, with the latest mighty installment taking place across six stages in Hong Kong Science Park. Sticking to their remit of mind-bending electronic sounds, an excellent line-up sees grime heroine Lady Leshurr spitting hot fire alongside established technohead Dave Clarke and trip-hop figurehead DJ Shadow. From £80.
Vivid Sydney
Sydney, Australia, 26 May-17 Jun
'The world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas,' they say, and rightly so. Annually transforming Australia’s Harbour City into an outdoor art exhibition, bolstered by unique collaborative performances and must-see live acts), this is a dream festival in a dream setting. This year's line-up features Opera House shows from Laura Marling, Sampha, Fleet Foxes and Bill Callahan, while The Avalanches celebrate their seminal album Since I Left You with a Block Party alongside DJ Shadow. Prices vary.
Fuji Rock
Naeba Ski Resort, Japan, 28-30 Jul
Named for to its original location at the base of Mount Fuji, Fuji Rock relocated to the Naeba Ski Resort in 1999, but don’t expect to do any skiing here. The three-day event features over 200 Japanese and international musicians, making it the largest outdoor music event in Japan. The line-up so far includes Björk, LCD Soundsystem, Aphex Twin, Bonobo and Father John Misty. If you’re not put off by the price, you should go! From £120.
Clockenflap Festival
Harbourfront, Hong Kong, 17-19 Nov
A festival which holds a mirror up to Hong Kong itself, Clockenflap is a ever-growing celebration of music and art on one of the few patches of HK land that isn't completely consumed by urban development. Last year's line-up featured George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, M.I.A., Blood Orange and a host of local talent – keep an eye out for details of this year's line-up. £TBC.
Laneway Festival
Various cities across Australia, New Zealand & Singapore, Jan-Feb 2018
If you already have your summer sorted, or just like to have stuff to look forward to, Laneway offers the ideal opportunity to get your 2018 off to a flying start. The brilliant multi-city festival – which covers Fremantle, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney as well as Singapore and Auckland – has been responsible for the Australian debuts of a host of Skinny favourites. Whitney, NAO and Car Seat Headrest were joined by Floating Points, Glass Animals and local favourites Tame Impala and Jagwar Ma at the 2017 edition – details of the 2018 line-up will follow later in the year.
Get festival tickets and updates on Skiddle