The Top Moments From Head in the Clouds LA 2023
We were overjoyed by all the music feels this past weekend attending 88 Rising's Head in the Clouds Music Festival in Los Angeles. The lineup was incredible and the fans were just as amazing, giving back the same energy the artists were bringing to the stage.
From moments like Jackson Wang's stunning set to XG's second stateside performance of their careers, this unforgettable weekend will go down in history. Check out some of the best moments from the festival and some artists to keep on your radar.
(Photo credit: Maddy Myer)
MILLI
This girl was an absolute powerhouse her entire performance. Her voice adapted to singing and rapping while still owning the stage with a veteran presence as she balanced performing in both English and Thai. Our personal favorite songs were "The Weekend" and an unreleased track with Warren Hue, who she brought up on stage to perform with her. She kept the crowd energized and involved with her entire set and even took a Stray Kids photocard from the crowd at one point.
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Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama is a force to be reckoned with, and this weekend only further proved it. We knew how good of a singer and all-around performer Rina was before, but seeing her live gave us a new appreciation of her vocal range. She had angelic vocals, with visuals to match, and could hit the highest notes and come right back and sing the lowest ad-libs. Of course, our favorite song had to be her mega-hit "XS."
Rich Brian
Rich Brian is an artist we've been wanting to see live since 2018. With an insane rap flow that delivers not only speed but also clarity, Rich Brian is only going up from here. He also knows exactly how to hype up a crowd, and we especially loved his performance of "100 Degrees."
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Jackson Wang
We sadly missed Jackson during his Magic Man World Tour in the U.S., but are glad we saw this "magic man" perform at HITC. We could not take our eyes off of him with the way he commanded the stage. He gave a taste of his tour experience, including intricate choreography and visual storytelling, all while still sounding good on the mic. He is definitely a must-see artist, and we would have to highlight "Blow" or "Cheetah" as our favorite performances.
XG
Our newest favorite girl group, XG, just had their second-ever U.S. performance, but with the way they dominated, you wouldn't be able to tell. They were true naturals on the stage, becoming fierce performers and without missing a beat. Their live vocals were equally as impressive as their raps, and their synchronization was top-tier. We were so happy to see their newest single, "TGIF," performed, but we would have to say our favorite performance was "GRL GVNG," especially since they used chairs for the choreo.
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NIKI
The one and only NIKI graced the stage with an amazing performance that was can't-miss. She came out with an acoustic guitar and the angel tone we know her for. She was great with the crowd and oftentimes got us to sing a verse or two. There were just too many great songs to choose from, but our top five from this queen were "Vintage," "Your," "La La Lost You," "Lowkey" and "Every Summertime."
Other notable artists to keep on your radar are Spence Lee, Stephanie Poetri and DPR LIVE & DPR IAN. We hope we have a chance to see some of these incredible artists again in the near future. Be sure to dive into their discography as several artists mentioned new music on the horizon!
Love K-pop, in particular? Click HERE to discover our six favorite K-pop tracks we discovered in July 2023.