Pop music and yoga festival returns to Hac Sa Beach

The “hush! Beach Concerts x Yo~ga Wellfest 2024” festival will return to Macau’s Ha Sa Beach from Nov. 9 to Nov. 10, bringing two days of live music and yoga. Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and MGM, the event seamlessly blends popular elements of pop music, yoga, and outdoor recreation along the beachfront.

Deland Leong, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), stated, “We are pleased to once again partner with MGM to curate this unique crossover experience in Asia. By integrating music and wellness practices, the festival showcases Macau’s cultural creativity and vibrant tourism industry.”

Last year’s inaugural festival was a resounding success, drawing significant interest and uniting the local community in a celebration of art, entertainment and active lifestyles.

At a recent press conference, Leong announced that this year’s event will feature “nearly 60 local and foreign bands, musicians and artists” hailing from Canada, Japan, Taiwan and beyond. “We hope to make ‘hush!’ an important music festival in Asia,” Leong said, noting the goal of further establishing Macau as a City of Performing Arts.

With the 2024 theme “Exchange and Cooperation,” the international lineup will include performances by Canadian guitarist Jay Leonard J, local musician Jun Kung, and acclaimed Japanese electronic music producer DJ KRUSH, highlighting the spirit of cultural exchange.

Taiwanese singer-songwriter 9m88, praised for her ability to seamlessly blend diverse genres, will also take the stage. Rising Chinese band NeonGarden will collaborate with a local group for a joint performance showcase.

In addition to live music, the Yo~ga Wellfest section will see over 30 fitness and yoga instructors from Asia lead various sessions. Popular coaches include Hong Kong’s Coffee Lam and Emi Wong, Taiwanese Zumba master J-Lin, Singapore yogi JYAN, and Thai dancer Gun Gun.

Classes like SUP yoga, gong bath and dance workouts will allow participants to “explore the infinite possibilities of their body, mind and soul,” Leong said.

A hush! Kids Yo~ga Playground will combine children’s music and workout sessions, while other family-friendly activities will include a musical parade, creative workshops, market, art installations, and a new physical and mental experience zone. These activities will offer the opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy music and sports in a natural environment along the coastline, both on the grass and on the sand.

To further engage the local community, a series of outreach activities, including cruise concerts, electronic music parties, outdoor yoga workshops, and music camps, will be held in the Barra District from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8. Music critics and creators will host sharing sessions on Nov. 11.

Admission to the concerts is free, while Wellfest tickets are available through the GoGoGoat app from just 60 patacas.

Further, Leong highlighted the collaboration with MGM as a reflection of Macau’s “urban creativity and vitality of cultural tourism” that invites visitors to experience the unique appeal of the city. The event aims to showcase Macau’s status as a City of Performing Arts and drive cultural development through a fusion of music, outdoor sports and natural scenery along Ha Sa Beach. Victoria Chan

Deland Leong expects larger turnout for Hush! music festival this year

Deland Leong, president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), expressed high expectations for increased attendance at this year’s Hush! music festival.

“Last year, we had fewer than 20,000 people over the two-day main event. This year, we expect to reach 20,000 people,” said Leong, speaking to the press on the sidelines of yesterday’s press conference.

The festival will take place along Macau’s beaches and forests from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. over two days. In addition to local musicians, the lineup will feature 10 international acts from countries including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada, the United States, Singapore, and Portugal.

“Our theme this year is cultural cooperation and exchange, and we will increase the participation of more international artists,” Leong said.

Yoga and related activities will return to the festival, following a positive reception last year. “Yoga is quite suitable since we did it last year, because everyone is talking about exercise and health,” Leong said. The bureau hopes to involve foreign yoga masters to collaborate with local practitioners.

The IC budget for the event is approximately 5 million patacas, according to Leong. She anticipates that the blend of music, nature, and wellness programming will attract more tourists and residents to participate in the cultural experience. Her ultimate hope is that the city can foster a brand as an integrative and cultural city of sports. VC