Secret festival promises chilled out island vibes

The cat’s out of the bag. No longer the stuff of Chinese whispers, Hong Kong’s Secret Island Party isn’t so secret any more. And what’s more, it’s being invaded by Macau musicians.
The two-day festival extravaganza promises to carry music-
lovers off into the sunset to a clandestine beach location where a weekend of melodies and creativity awaits.
Held on an islet near Hong Kong’s tiny Cheung Chau island accessible only by boat, adventurous participants set up tents on the beach and camp out for the weekend.
According to Secret Island Party’s organizer, Rachel Frost, “festival goers are taken on a journey into an alternative reality, escaping the stresses and strains of everyday life, where we aim to feed your mind, body and soul”.
This year’s edition plays host to a plethora of DJs and bands performing on five stages throughout the weekend, including several Macau-based acts. The event is a “true celebration of art and music, featuring some truly unique and talented performers”, explains Rachel.
Among the four Macau acts to be featured are Concrete/Lotus, a duo comprised of vocalist Abbi Mitchell-Morley and producer Kelsey Wilhelm, who bring a melodic progression through acoustic and electronic elements, blending together vocals, drums, guitar and synths.
Next up, DJ Devlar’s analog leaning deep house sounds give a nod to Detroit and Chicago dance music, fusing deep, techno and house. His melodic and edgy style meshes dreamy soundscapes and intermissions with pumping bass lines and organic electronic sounds.
Meanwhile funk, hip hop, and break beats influence DJ Benson. The Macau/HK native mainly plays techno, bass and deep house, while Macau-based DJ Youth Samoan from Portugal is a Jamaican culture lover. With several years of experience in the reggae and dancehall scene, he transmits the reach of West-Indian music and culture all the way here to Asia.
Aside from the music, Secret Island Party’s mysterious island adventure also promises a surplus of other happenings. According to Rachel, “from yoga on the beach, to screen printing lessons, to late night dance parties, we have everything you could ever need from a weekend getaway experience”.
And it doesn’t end there. Helping festival goers get into the party spirit, there’s even a fancy dress theme for the weekend –  “Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves” – encouraging them to embrace their inner gypsy. Outdoor film screenings, a giant tug of war and art workshops further add to the creative ambiance. With such a friendly, creative vibe, the festival even attracts families on the more laid-back Sunday.
“Whether you’re looking to relax this weekend on a secluded beach, experience a wide range of activities and games, or party until the sun comes up, there’s no better opportunity than to come to Secret Island Party” says Rachel. “You’ll meet new people, make new friends, and come back with unforgettable memories and probably a large number of photos of your time there!”
The party starts at 11am on Saturday through until 9pm on Sunday, with a short pause between 6am and 10am. Both one day and weekend passes are available from the hushup.hk events website. Vanessa Moore