History was made in 2018 when the music entertainment company and record label 88rising held the first staging of its Head in The Clouds Festival. Since its launch, the festival, geared toward showcasing talented and trending Asian-American artists, has held three successful stagings, with a remarkable lineup already announced for its 2022 leg.
88rising was founded by Sean Miyashiro in 2015 with the aim of providing a platform to support the career of Asian-American artists. It is home to 17 entertainers including the widely popular, Jackson Wang, Rich Brian, BIBI, Milli, Higher Brothers, Joji, and Warren Hue.
To supplement the debut of the Head in the Clouds Festival, 88rising released its first compilation album of the same name alongside 12Tone Music, in July 2018. The project boasts 17 tracks and had fans bursting with anticipation for what the label’s first major festival would have in store come September.
2018:
Head in the Clouds 2018 was held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park, also known as the Cornfield, and saw the likes of August 08, Yung Pinch, Joji, Keith Ape, Rich Brian, Niki, Higher Brothers, and more, as well as, the North American debut of Japanese rapper Kohh.
Grammy award-winning singer and drummer, Korean African-American Anderson .Paak, best known for his affiliation with Bruno Mars which spawned the hit single, Leave the Door Open, also stunned the jam-packed audience with an incredible performance.
2019:
Head in The Clouds’ 2019 staging was held on August 17 at the Cornfield, as it was the year prior. Returning to the electrifying stage, now regarded as the Asian Coachella, were 88rsing labelmates Joji, Rich Brian, NIKI, Higher Brothers, and Dumfounded.
Testament to the festival’s growth and reach, making his debut on the Head in The Clouds stage was Chinese superstar Jackson Wang. Joining him were South Korean K-pop group iKon and rapper and singer, DPR Live.
2020:
For 2020, the Head in The Clouds Festival organizers were gearing up for another major event. Plans were well underway for the festival to be held in March at the JIExpo Kemayoran of Jakarta, Indonesia with Phum Viphurit, Day6, Yerin Baek, Zhu, and more joining the lineup. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a charitable free virtual concert, the Asia Rising Forever Festival, was held in its place.
2021:
Patrons were overwhelmed with excitement at the announcement of Head in The Clouds 2021. 88rising had now teamed up with the promoters of Coachella, Goldenvoice, as they guaranteed a bigger and better staging. The festival was held on November 6 and 7 at Brookside at the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California. It featured American rapper Saweetie, former member of South Korean girl group 2NE1, CL, Japanese Breakfast, eaJ, keshi, Joji, BIBI, Niki, Seori, Beabadoobee, Umi, The Linda Lindas, and Rich Brian.
2022:
Head in The Clouds 2022 will be held at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl on August 20 and 21 with tickets ranging from $249 for general admission to $750 for South Bay Surf Club passes. VIP tickets are priced at $405.
The event will begin at 2 pm with a jaw-dropping lineup in store. Performing at the event are Jackson Wang, Milli, NIKI, Rich Brian, Warren Hue, mxmtoon, Jay Park, Lastlings, Teriyaki Boyz and much more. Expectancy is at the highest it has ever been for this year’s staging, following 88rising’s riveting performance during their 80-minute Coachella set in April which saw a historic and magical surprise on-stage reunion of 2NE1.