Sweaty and Cramped, Hong Kong’s ultimate indie label, is no stranger to live gigs, and the label’s latest is its biggest yet – a day-long showcase of the best talent from Hong Kong and beyond. A variety of great acts are on the block – a mix of label residents, DJs and soloists.
A handful of Sweaty and Cramped residents make up a good portion of the line-up, including atmospheric post-rock masters Chan is Swimming (think Public Service Broadcasting meets Tycho). Fellow post-rockers from Shenzhen, Colin Phils, pop in for an explosive final show to end their four-month tour around China. Emptybottles mix emo with sensitively crafted math rock guitar duels, while aestival indie four-piece Phoon continue their busy schedule of live shows around town.
Ex-Punishment are set to showcase their new and dusky shoegaze grunge, and Life Was All Silence take to the stage with the same experimental electro-acoustic sound that floated across the harbour at Clockenflap last November. Other gems in the line-up include local cult bands An ID Signal and David Boring, whose songs are practically designed for gritty indie moshpits, and rock outfit OWK are sure to keep the tempo fast and signature antics coming.
Representing Guangzhou’s rich indie underbelly, punk band Die Chiwawa Die fly down for their first Hong Kong show. By their side, math rock quartet 無高潮 (whose English name is a cheeky pun on the direct translation ‘no orgasm’) also drop in. Completing the line up are ODM, experimental soloist Calmwhiner and vinyl master K-Melo (pictured) on the decks. The tickets are cheap, the talent is hot. This is a wonderful way for any indie lover to spend their Sunday afternoon. Don’t miss out. Jules O’Brien