Presented by Globe with GCash as major sponsor, 88Rising and Live MNL’s Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival is happening this December 9 and 10 at the SM Festival Grounds in Parañaque City.

Here’s why you should mark your calendars and immediately secure a pass to this one-of-a-kind festival.

1. It’ll live up to the hype

Since it was first staged in Los Angeles in 2018, the Head in the Clouds festival has been getting great reviews. The first festival was hailed by The Bull’s Eye as “an unforgettable experience…one of the best musical events” of the year. A year later, the Los Angeles Times High School Insider reported that “the festival, which isn’t just about music, garnered 25,000 people — more than double the amount” of the previous year

In 2021, a year after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Uproxx hailed Head In The Clouds as “Los Angeles’ next great music festival while just recently, Concert Updater said the festival “simply lived up to the hype.” “Everything from the music, the food, the crowd, and the overall experience was absolute perfection,” the site further posted in its review of the festival that took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California only last August.

2. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see ALL your faves

And we’re not talking about any random selection of artists. Head In The Clouds boasts a stellar lineup of world-class headliners, each with their own solid fan base. Artists scheduled to perform include Joji, Jackson Wang, NIKI, Rich Brian, eaJ, and YOASOBI.

The festival will also include live performances from BIBI, MANILA GREY, Warren Hue, Ylona Garcia, GUAPDAD 4000, ATARASHII GAKKO!, MILLI, Zack Tabudlo, and many more. Grammy-winning hitmaker and EDM producer ZEDD is a special guest. Fans will certainly be getting much more than their money’s worth.

3. There’s a reason why it’s called the “Asian Coachella”

Head In The Clouds is a unique festival in the sense that it specifically specializes in Asian music and culture from all around the around. That it was eventually hailed as the “Asian Coachella” should come as no surprise.

Many headliners will be performing in Southeast Asia for the first time. Hong Kong-based Jackson Wang is considered as a K-Pop legend. BIBI is one of the fastest-rising stars in Korea. MILLI is the very first Thai artist to perform at Coachella. YAOSOBI is a Japanese superduo, Niki, Rich Brian, Warren Hue, and Stephanie Poetri are from Indonesia, while Paradise Rising artist Ylona Garcia is returning to the Philippines for Head In The Clouds.

4. Pinoy Pride — ’nuff said

Those who wish to see Filipino artists well-represented in an international music festival that highlights the best of the Southeast Asian region will not be disappointed with Head In The Clouds.

Aside from Ylona Garcia, who is Filipino-Australian, Head In The Clouds also features GUAPDAD 4000 who is Filipino-American and Manila Grey who are Filipino-Canadian. Pinoy Pride is very much alive in Head In The Clouds.

5. You’ll get FULL-SET performances

When each artist takes the stage, expect an actual show. We’re not talking about mere cameos or guest appearances here. Every one of them has more than enough material to fill an entire set.

In addition to their already familiar songs, each artist will also get a chance to introduce exciting new material plus surprise numbers that should keep fans engaged throughout the festival.

6. The fantastic food and eye-popping artwork

And because Head In The Clouds is not just a music festival, good food and equally good art are part of its overall appeal. Reviewing the 2019 edition, the Los Angeles Times’ High School Insider wrote, “All food vendors were curated by the popular 626 Night Market, psychedelic photo ops and interactive art installations were scattered throughout the park, and a giant slide stood in front of the entrance. Throughout the park were merchandise booths, including the Guess and 88rising collaboration.”

Reviewing the earlier 2022 edition in Los Angeles, the Daily Bruin wrote, “With a wide range of enticing food and drinks, guests had an impressive number of inclusive options to choose from sandwiched between the 88rising and Double Happiness stages – be it sweet, umami, vegan, gluten-free or all of the above…Head in the Clouds ultimately delivered satisfying, if not out-of-this-world, fare to their voracious visitors.”

7. It’s actually good value for your money

While the prices of general admission and VIP passes may seem pricey at first glance, they actually offer plenty of value for money when fans the number of artists they’re going to see in addition to the length of their respective sets.

For a two-day general admission pass of P12,888 or the VIP pass at P15,888, fans will get access to their favorite artists and enjoy every performance. Getting a VIP pass, in particular means access to dedicated VIP entry lanes to access the main stage and second stage, designated VIP restrooms, additional shade and seating areas, access to exclusive food and beverage vendors, and select festival merchandise for purchase.

8. It’ll deliver 18 hours that you’ll never forget

The Manila edition of the entire Head in the Clouds Music and Arts Festival amounts to around 18 hours of an unforgettable experience. While it may be too early for young music fans to consider that as a bucket list item, the festival will certainly provide them with two days they will fondly cherish.

Head in the Clouds is certainly a one-of-a-kind festival where the whole is certainly greater than the sum of its parts.

Buy your tickets now at mnl.hitcfestival.com.

Will you be going to Head in the Clouds?