These Hong Kong bands have done us proud, and we’re obsessed with their music. #supportlocal
Hong Kong’s local musicians are proof that there’s no single way to express creativity via music. Whether it’s rapper Haysen Cheng, electronic duo Mount Kimbie, or psychedelic rock band Föllakzoid, each genre brings its own charm. With a vibrant community of local musicians, across many different styles, the music scene in the 852 has something for everyone. Crank up the volume with a few of our favourites in the list below.
Hong Kong bands to get you into local music
1. Lucid Express
Having released their stunning debut EP Floret in 2015, Lucid Express have often been regarded as the most promising local dream pop and shoegaze band. The whimsical brains behind the band deliver beautiful synth and a captivating wall of sound that make people slip into a blissful coma.
Read our interview with Lucid Express (previously known as Thud) here.
2. Blood Wine or Honey
Blood Wine or Honey make crazy music, crazily good electro-psychedelic music. Their debut EP Anxious Party People overwhelms listeners with brilliant rhythmic excursion and electronic madness. And their album Fear and Celebration is amongst our favourite!
3. My Little Airport
When it comes to Hong Kong bands, My Little Airport are a local legend. They started out as a quirky indie pop group mumbling about teen problems and daily trivia in 2004, and have grown to become lyrical geniuses singing about local politics, economy, love affairs and human society. It’s just the kind of lovely music that will get you hooked.
Read our interview with My Little Airport here.
4. tl;dl
Local techno/electronic band tl;dl don’t rock people’s world with large sound or catchy melodies, but their tunes are just as mesmerising. It’s hypnotic, beautifully arranged and perfect for a night-time chill out session.
5. Anwiycti
Short for A New World If You Can Take It, alternative rock band Anwiycti are good at making wonderfully atmospheric and dark music. Being one of the first Hong Kong bands to play at Iceland Airwaves music festival, you know they have a way around creating impressive sound.
6. Life Was All Silence
With their band name inspired by The Art of Noise, Life Was All Silence create beautifully haunting music that can be categorised to noise, experimental and post-rock music. From the build up to the end of their tracks, every note is just cathartic. Definitely one of the nicest post-rock bands in the scene.
Read our interview with Life Was All Silence here.
7. Qi
Local rock band Qi regularly performs at events around Hong Kong, be it an underground music scene or at the Central Harbourfront. The band consists of five members from different walks of life—and from around the globe—who share a love for rock music. Listen to their latest EPS here.
8. Xabitat
This rap-centered crew is a Hong Kong-based hip hop collective, which happens to include Wesley Jamison. There’s always a lot going on for the Xabitat crew; follow Mama Told Me to keep up.
Fantastic Day (Inactive)
Heavily inspired by early 90s British pop music, especially the Madchester indie scene, local indie band Fantastic Day conquers everything from alt-rock to softcore and neo-electric. They are always fun and always experimental. And needless to say, they have absolutely incredible guitar skills! Fantastic Day have currently stopped making new music, so you might not be able to catch them live anytime soon. But… Guitarist Chi Wai is working on his new project – a band called Foster Studio.
