writer: Rebecca Hidayat
5 December 2022
The Head In The Clouds Jakarta 2022 festival, organized by 88rising, marked a significant milestone in Indonesia’s music landscape. After a pandemic-induced hiatus, the festival made its debut in Indonesia on December 3rd and 4th, 2022, at Community Park PIK 2. This event was particularly special as it featured homegrown talents NIKI, Rich Brian, Stephanie Poetri, and Warren Hue, offering them a triumphant return to their roots.
Turning Heads And Blowing Minds
Day One Highlights
The festival commenced with a captivating performance by Stephanie Poetri on the 88rising stage. She surprised the audience by collaborating with Indonesian singer Vidi Aldiano on “Bad Haircut” and delivering a heartfelt duet of “Sang Dewi” with her mother, Titi DJ. Following her, Bali-based band MANJA energized the Double Happiness stage with their track “Rise.”
The momentum continued with dynamic sets from MILLI and Yanqi Zhang. A standout moment was the performance by South Korean rapper ZICO, who enthralled fans with hits like “Any Song” and “She’s a Baby.” K-pop group (G)I-DLE followed, delivering powerful renditions of “LATATA” and “Tomboy.”
As the evening progressed, Spence Lee, Kaskade, and Ylona Garcia kept the energy high. Joji’s soulful performance, featuring songs like “Sanctuary” and “Glimpse of Us,” resonated deeply with the audience. Atarashii Gakko! brought their unique flair to the Double Happiness stage, performing in their signature schoolgirl attire.
The day’s climax was NIKI’s homecoming performance. Expressing her joy at returning to Jakarta, she delivered hits such as “Before,” “Keeping Tabs,” and “Vintage.” A memorable moment was her rendition of “High School in Jakarta,” performed in a school uniform, symbolizing her connection to the city. She concluded with fan favorites “Lowkey” and “Every Summertime,” leaving the audience in awe.
Day Two Highlights
The second day opened with Warren Hue’s energetic set, featuring “Runaway W Me.” South Korean artist BIBI followed, captivating the crowd with tracks like “Blades” and “Kazino,” and sharing her appreciation for Indonesia.
Indonesian act BAP. took the Double Happiness stage, delivering a soulful performance. Chung Ha then dazzled the 88rising stage with her choreography and songs like “Gotta Go” and “Rollercoaster,” even sharing a heartfelt moment with a fan.
Voice of Baceprot, a rock band from Garut, Indonesia, added a unique flavor to the festival with their powerful performance. Japanese duo Yoasobi made their Indonesian debut, performing hits like “Yoru ni Kakeru” and promising to return, much to the delight of fans.
August08’s rap-infused set on the Double Happiness stage added diversity to the lineup. eaJ’s engaging performance, which included mingling with the audience, featured songs like “in my civic” and “car crash.”
Veegee and Ziyi Wang continued to entertain on the Double Happiness stage. The evening’s highlight was Jackson Wang’s electrifying performance, featuring songs like “Just Like Magic” and “Drive You Home.” Kaskade’s set further energized the crowd before the grand finale.
Rich Brian’s homecoming performance was a fitting conclusion, with hits like “Vivid,” “100 Degrees,” and “Yellow.” Addressing the audience in Bahasa Indonesia, he expressed his gratitude and excitement to perform in his hometown after three years.
The festival concluded with collaborative performances: Stephanie Poetri and Jackson Wang’s “I Love You 3000,” Atarashii Gakko!’s “NAINAINAI,” Yoasobi featuring Warren Hue, and a joint performance by Warren Hue and Rich Brian of “Getcho Mans” and “California.” The ensemble closed with “Midsummer Madness,” leaving attendees with unforgettable memories.
