Over a year since the postponement of HEAD IN THE CLOUDS in Jakarta, the music festival hosted by Asian record label 88rising returned in partnership with LA-based company Goldenvoice for its third installment on the weekend of November 6-7. After two consecutive years of hosting at Los Angeles State Historic Park, the 2021 revival of the festival was held on the grounds of Brookside at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. The larger event ground gave room for more vendors, more activities, and most importantly a bigger and safer space for attendees to enjoy the festival without having to exchange it for their personal space.

With a star-studded lineup of artists hailing from all over Asia, including headliners Rich Brian and NIKI from Indonesia, the queen of K-Pop herself CL from South Korea, and quartet ATARASHII GAKKO! from Japan, people flocked to Pasadena for the weekend to experience, as well as celebrate, Asian voices and creativity. For overseas fans and those who couldn’t make it to the two-day music event, Amazon Music offered a free livestream for both days of the concert via Twitch.

Safety Guaranteed Before Festivity Proceeds

Attendees began queuing as early as mid-morning on both days despite doors not being opened until 2 p.m. To combat the midday heat, event staff handed out bottled water for people waiting in line and also throughout the concert in the pit to keep everyone hydrated. Those who entered the venue—including all staff, performers, and attendees—were also required to have proof of complete vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours upon arrival. Both methods required a valid ID for confirmation at the door.

Precautions against COVID-19 were taken extremely seriously for the sake of everyone’s wellbeing. Half-way through his set, Tiger JK of Feel GHood Music shared his experience of getting his nose “drilled”—in other words, taking a PCR test before boarding his plane to the U.S. to perform at HEAD IN THE CLOUDS. “Two days before the concert, they started drilling my nose again,” said the rapper. 

Festival goers were encouraged to make cashless payments throughout the event—paying for merchandise and food with their credit cards, or any form of contactless cards, in order to minimize touch and unwanted exposure. Thanks to the precautions implemented both outside and inside of the event's premises before any festivities took place, attendees were able to comfortably revel in all the entertainment that HEAD IN THE CLOUDS had to offer that weekend.

For many artists, the 2021 HEAD IN THE CLOUDS marked their first time performing for a live crowd in a while since the pandemic that restricted artists from touring. Similarly, many attendees—including myself—were excited to experience live music once again. The stacked lineup was divided up to perform on two stages: 88 Stage and Double Happiness Stage, operating at opposite ends of the venue. 

Day 1: DPR Live + DPR Ian (ft. eaJ)

Arguably one of the most anticipated acts of Day 1 and the festival in general, DPR Live and DPR Ian garnered the interest of many attendees, which saw a big crowd surrounding the main 88 Stage when it was time for their joint one-hour set. While this marks DPR Live’s return as a performing artist for HEAD IN THE CLOUDS, the festival was DPR Ian’s first time performing live as a solo artist. The duo opened their set with “Diamond + and Pearls” off of the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings OST and “Boom” from DPR Live’s latest EP IITE COOL.

Performing songs from his first solo album Moodswings in This Order including “So Beautiful” and “Dope Lovers,” DPR Ian owned the stage with the help of fans cheering and singing along. The Australian-born singer told an anecdote about how he was terrified of a lot of things growing up and smoothly transitioned into the next song titled “Scaredy Cat.” Contrary to the titles of songs he performed like “Scaredy Cat” and “Nerves,” DPR Ian oozed confidence despite the festival being his first time performing the tracks live to an audience.

He’s coming to you live… LIVE!— DPR Live performed back-to-back crowd-pleasers, including hits like “Jasmine,” “KISS ME,” and “Martini Blue,” that had everyone shouting the lyrics and on their feet dancing. Completely in his element, he also unveiled the first live stages for his newest hits “Yellow Cab” and “Hula Hoops.” During “Hula Hoops,” DPR Live gave a quick shout out to Hwasa, who is featured on the song. “Make some noise for the queen Hwasa.”"

The duo welcomed eaJ out on stage, who DPR Live introduced as “DPR eaJ” during the performance of their collaboration “Jam & Butterfly.” After fake-leaving the stage, DPR Live and DPR Ian returned to perform the final song “To Myself'' that got the whole venue screaming “DPR we gang gang” at the top of their lungs.

Day 1: CL (ft. DPR Live + DPR Ian)

Whether you’re viewing CL from the front row barricade, admiring her from 20 rows back, or simply through your computer screen, there is no denying that her aura is strong and unmatched regardless of distance. Entering the stage in a big puffer jacket, she made her presence known by shouting “Hold up, you in the presence of a queen” to her opening song Skrillex’s “Dirty Vibe.” With “wows” and “woahs” coming from people standing in front, behind, and beside me, CL single-handedly made it clear why she is indeed the baddest female. 

Performing 16 tracks in just 45 minutes accompanied by their respective choreography, there wasn’t a single moment of dullness nor silence throughout CL’s packed set. The audience was able to enjoy half of the songs from her first solo studio album ALPHA, which came out just a little over two weeks prior to her appearance at the festival. Tracks including “SPICY,” “Let It,” and “Tie a Cherry” brought much-needed heat to the chilly weather that night. Midway through the set, CL invited DPR Live and DPR Ian, who came back on stage after their set earlier that day to perform the first-ever live version of their collaboration song “No Blueberries.” Closing out with “Hello Bitches,” CL went all out and got the audience hyped up to match her energy (power and chemistry for the GZBs out there who will get the reference!). 

Day 2: Feel GHood Music

BIBI

On Day 2 of the festival at the 88 Stage, rising star BIBI—also known as nakedbibi—impressed with a short set that left fans wanting more. BIBI gave a quick ment to the audience before performing her opening song “PADO”—“You guys gonna dive into me.”

Throughout her whole performance, BIBI made sure to interact as much as possible with the crowd. From signing fans’ hands, throwing contraceptives from a fluffy light brown tote she carried on stage during “쉬가릿 (cigarette and condom),” to kissing female fans while performing her latest full-English song “The Weekend,” BIBI was able to make the crowd fall in love with her in less than 30 minutes.

MFBTY (Tiger JK, Yoon Mirae, Bizzy)

Following the abrupt ending of BIBI’s set, trio MFBTY (Tiger JK, YoonMirae, and Bizzy) brought everyone’s energy back up when they came on stage right after. Although they are veterans in the Korean Hip-Hop industry, Tiger JK expressed his uncertainty about the group’s relevancy in this particular crowd. “Not a lot of people know who we are, but hopefully throughout the set we’ll get to know each other.” The rappers made funny remarks throughout that got the crowd to respond with laughter. “Depending on your age, we’re either a really old group or a new group,” said YoonMirae. With an anecdote on his personal experience of being homeless, Tiger JK introduced MFBTY’s hit that charted No. 1 in South Korea called “Angel.” The song initiated a call and response moment with fans, as well as synchronized waving throughout the crowd, which was made more magical as the sun was setting in the background.

Day 2: eaJ (ft. keshi, Seori)

“For y’all who don’t know, my name is eaJ, also known as Jae from DAY6.”

After two years since performing on stage in front of My Days, DAY6’s Jae presented eaJ to the world for the first time through a 30 minute set of unreleased songs and songs from his SoundCloud including “Otherside,” “Guess Not,” and “50 proof.” What started off as his side music project has now become his introduction to the world as a solo artist. Towards the end, eaJ brought out his friends Seori and keshi to perform “It just is” and “pillows” respectively.

Many fans in the crowd couldn't help but notice how happy eaJ looked as he was shouting, laughing, and jumping his way to get across the stage during the entire performance.

In short, HEAD IN THE CLOUDS encapsulates Asian representation in quite literally every sense—a selection of Asian food vendors from San Gabriel’s 626 Night Market that is just as diverse as the lineup of performing artists with origins from all over Asia. After all, what’s better to accompany good live music than good food?

It’s safe to say that I left the festival with two realizations: mapo tofu tater tots are, frankly, the best invention since sliced bread, and that I’m still as much of a Blackjack as my 9-year-old self who used to watch 2NE1 music videos on the family’s computer every day after school.