Head in the Clouds New York Soars in Brooklyn with Global Beats [Festival Review]

88rising brought their Head in the Clouds Festival (HITC) back to “The Big Apple” for its third consecutive year at the Under the K Bridge Park on September 20th. The open-air public park served as the perfect venue for exhilarating performances by this year’s EDM, rap, and R&B-focused lineup. Festival goers enjoyed a blend of gritty, urban, pop, and techno music that reflected the dynamic and hip industrial neighbourhood overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

HITC is renowned for spotlighting Asian talent both in the U.S. and abroad. This year’s lineup blended well-known acts like ISOxo, KUN, and Yuki Chiba with rising artists and was anchored by 88rising veteran Rich Brian.

The festival grounds setup was thoughtfully arranged, with the main 88rising Stage and the smaller “Double Happiness Stage” positioned at opposite ends for easy access. Between them, food, bar, and merchandise stations offered a welcome break from the action. Attendees enjoyed a wide array of options, from mouthwatering bao and shaobing to sushi, Filipino, Taiwanese, and Korean dishes, plus baked goods and boba tea.

Kicking off the evening, NYC’s own DJ Hoodini set an atmospheric tone with a vibrant, ambient mix that eased the crowd into the festival’s rhythm. Across the park, San Diego’s DJ Adonix turned up the intensity with a pounding, techno-heavy set that had heads nodding and bodies moving. Eager to catch the first acts of HITC NY, fans flocked to both stages, setting the energy high from the start.

One of the night’s freshest moments came from no na, an Indonesian girl group formed by 88rising in May and making their HITC NY debut. Each of the four members brought prior industry experience, reflected in their commanding stage presence, tight harmonies, and polished choreography. The crowd was captivated by their R&B-infused pop, including debut single “Shoot” and the dance-pop track “Superstitious.” As both the only female pop act on the bill and a rookie group, no na stood out for their artistry and professionalism.

DJ Mandy, known for her intentionally comedic and eclectic mixes, and DJ Nick Cheo, who shares a humour-first approach to DJing, went back-to-back on the “Double Happiness Stage.” Both first gained traction in college from experimenting online and posting their work to TikTok and Instagram. Their inclusion in the lineup highlights a new wave of self-producing talent, artists who prove that even an “unserious” image can evolve into a serious career in music.

Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba impressed the crowd with his powerful rap and confidence. He amped up the energy during his set by leading the audience in a chant for “Team Tomodachi.” The crowd erupted during fan favourites like “Omote” and his viral Megan Thee Stallion collaboration “Mamushi.” It was a performance that felt both global and deeply personal.

A brief pause at the main stage had the crowd buzzing with anticipation, awaiting the C-pop and R&B Chinese star, KUN. When the singer-songwriter emerged, rockstar-ready, he was met with a sea of ecstatic cheers. This was his second appearance at HITC, with the first time being a special surprise set at HITC LA earlier this year. He performed recent releases such as “Deadman” and “Jasmine” and even did an unreleased song, “Plastic Angels,” as a gift for fans who came to see him at the festival.

Back at the “Double Happiness Stage,” Vancouver DJ-producer JUELZ ignited the crowd with a hard-hitting fusion of hip-hop and electronic beats. The space swelled to its fullest capacity of the night with fans shouting, jumping, and throwing their fists in the air to every drop.

As night fell, Indonesian rapper and crowd favourite Rich Brian stormed the main stage with an electrifying mix of old hits and new material. The rapper slowed the pace to share the story behind “Ma” from his latest album, WHERE IS MY HEAD? Reflecting on the pandemic, he spoke candidly about the pain of being separated from his family in Indonesia and missing milestones he could never get back, a moment that added raw intimacy to an otherwise high-energy performance.

R&B and hip-hop singer and producer from South Korea, GEMINI, drew an intimate crowd for this late-night performance. His smooth vocals, along with his slow-burning singles, created a relaxing atmosphere as listeners swayed gently to his songs. The mood shifted when South Korean producer duo GroovyRoom stepped onstage in sharp black suits, transforming the “Double Happiness Stage” into a high-energy dance floor with thunderous, beat-driven drops that had the venue pulsing to the very end.

EDM sensation ISOxo brought the festival to an explosive finale with a headbang-worthy set that drew the biggest crowds of the night. The headliner had everyone moving in sync, riding the euphoric highs and cathartic releases. Blending trap, dubstep, electro-house, and wave into an energetic, genre-defying performance, ISOxo transformed the park into a night rave that radiated pure, unrelenting energy. Those who stayed until the very end were rewarded with a closer that felt less like a set and more like a full-body experience.

HITC NY’s unique mix of established names and up-and-coming talent proved to be a winning formula, offering fans a journey through genres and cultures that stretched across the globe. More than just a music festival, HITC has become a groundbreaking platform for pan-Asian representation over the past decade, carving out a space where diversity and artistry thrive side by side.

Judging by the packed crowds and spirited energy, it’s clear that fans can’t get enough of this annual celebration, and the anticipation for what 88rising will deliver next is only soaring higher.