Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival Returns to Los Angeles for 2026

The wait is officially over for music lovers and culture enthusiasts alike. 88rising—the pioneering music and media company globally amplifying Asian talent—alongside premier West Coast concert promoter Goldenvoice, has officially announced the highly anticipated return of the Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival to Los Angeles. Solidifying its reputation as “the premiere music festival for Asian talent in the US,” the 2026 edition is shifting gears into a hyper-focused, high-energy one-day experience. Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 8th, as the festival takes over the beautiful, historic grounds of Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Gearing up to be another memorable event for the global music community, this year's festival boasts an incredible roster of international superstars. Beyond the stellar music lineups, attendees can look forward to a carefully curated selection of iconic Asian food vendors, celebrating identity and community through both sound and taste. To get you ready for the festival gates to open, we are breaking down this year’s stacked performing lineup:

Stepping onto the Head In The Clouds stage for the very first time as this year’s blockbuster headliner, KATSEYE is a powerhouse global girl group that has taken the music industry by storm. Formed through the rigorous international survival show The Debut: Dream Academy—a joint venture between HYBE and Geffen Records—the final six-member lineup consists of Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeong. Representing a groundbreaking fusion of distinct cultures and backgrounds, the group officially debuted in 2024. Their meteoric rise to fame, propelled by massive streaming numbers and a viral global fanbase, has already taken the girls on to receive Best New Artist nomination at the GRAMMY Awards. Arriving in Los Angeles fresh off the massive success of their latest high-energy release, "Pinky Up," KATSEYE is set to deliver an unforgettable headlining performance that proves they are a permanent force in global pop.

Bringing their jaw-dropping performance power from Japan, XG is a hip-hop and R&B-influenced girl group that has completely redefined the boundaries of global pop music. Managed by XGALX (a subsidiary of Avex), the group consists of seven exceptionally skilled members: Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Harvey, Juria, Maya, and Cocona. Debuting in March 2022 with their fierce single "Tippy Toes," the group completely opts out of traditional genre limits, performing entirely in English to reach a borderless audience. Over the past few years, XG has achieved numerous achievements, earning spots on global charts real estate and earning praises for their immaculate, synchronized choreography, futuristic concepts, and unparalleled rap lines. Their appearance at the Rose Bowl serves as a major pit stop amid their highly anticipated upcoming world tour, giving Southern California fans a front-row seat to their boundary-pushing live production.

Making waves with a highly anticipated career transition, South Korean rapper and producer Dabin.kr is set to make a notable appearance at Brookside following his career as DPR LIVE. Previously performing under DPR LIVE, Hong Da-bin first emerged through the DPR collective and gained wider recognition with his 2017 album Coming to You Live. Known for his melodic rap style and visually driven storytelling, his current evolution reflects a continued artistic shift into a more personal and independent creative direction, marking this appearance as a new chapter for longtime listeners.

Representing the exciting, forward-thinking powerhosue of the new K-Pop generation, LNGSHOT is a rising boy group carefully crafted and produced by the legendary, highly accomplished and versatile individual, Jay Park under his More Vision label. Composed of members Ohyul, Ryul, Woojin, and Louis, the group officially debuted in January 2026 with their lead single "Moonwalkin'." Merging the signature high-octane performance standards of traditional idol groups with a gritty, authentic hip-hop edge, they heavily contribute to their own production—shown in their collaborative mixtape 4shoboiz Vol. 2: 4shoville alongside Jay Park. Most recently, LNGSHOT made a massive splash at the 2026 K-EXPO USA at the Peacock Theater, completely stealing the show when Jay Park joined them on stage for explosive live performances of "Moya" and "4SHO 4SHO." Their upcoming appearance at Head In The Clouds is one of the most highly anticipated in the lineup.

Adding a beautifully distinct, high-energy presence to the festival lineup is the acclaimed South Korean girl group KiiiKiii. Known for their undeniable combination of sharp vocal versatility, infectious concepts, and distinct member personalities, the group has carved out a unique space for themselves under Starship Entertainment. The line-up consists of members Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya, who initially made waves with their March 2025 mini-album UNCUT GEM. Following up with their January 2026 comeback album Delulu Pack and its hit title track "404 (New Era)", KiiiKiii has consistently earned praise for their ability to masterfully shift between bright pop melodies and complex instrumentation, making their inclusion in the 2026 lineup a hint at their growing international appeal.

Bringing a serene, grounding aura of healing and soulful introspection to the Rose Bowl, UMI is a visionary American R&B singer and songwriter hailing from Seattle, Washington. Born Tierra Umi Wilson to an African-American father and a Japanese mother, UMI began her musical journey by independently uploading heartfelt, self-produced tracks to SoundCloud and YouTube while still in high school, eventually breaking out globally with her beloved 2018 bedroom-pop single "Remember Me." Seamlessly blending neo-soul rhythms, delicate acoustic textures, and bilingual English-Japanese lyricism, her career has been highlighted by critically acclaimed EPs, high-profile collaborations, and a dedicated global following drawn to her themes of love, identity, spiritual wellness, and deep human connection.

Bringing his blend of witty lyricism and globally resonant hip-hop, Rich Brian stands as one of the defining breakout figures of the modern Asian diaspora music wave. First gaining international attention through viral online releases under the moniker Rich Chigga before evolving into a more refined, genre-fluid artist, he officially joined the 88rising roster and quickly cemented his place with projects like Amen and The Sailor. Known for balancing humor, introspection, and sharp cultural commentary, his live sets consistently showcase both technical growth and an effortless command of stage presence, making his return to the Head In The Clouds stage a highly anticipated moment for longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Injecting a globally inspired, rhythm-forward energy into the festival is DJ and tastemaker Gia Fu, whose sets have become one with cross-cultural musical storytelling. Drawing deeply from Latin vinyl culture while bridging influences from Asia and the diaspora, she has carved out a distinct identity within the international DJ circuit. Her approach to sound is both archival and forward-thinking, blending rare grooves with contemporary club rhythms in a way that transforms each set into a cultural dialogue. At Head In The Clouds 2026, her presence adds a vital connective thread between communities, genres, and eras of global music.

Emerging under the 88rising umbrella, no na represents one of the platform’s newer introductions from Southeast Asia. As an early-stage act, their artistic identity is still in development, but their inclusion reflects 88rising’s continued focus on nurturing emerging regional talent and expanding its global roster. Positioned within the label’s ecosystem of rising artists, no na adds a developing voice to this year’s lineup as they continue to build their presence on the international stage.

Bringing a playful, emotionally charged indie-pop sensibility to the stage is singer-songwriter Tiffany Day, an artist known for turning everyday feelings into hook-driven, bedroom-pop confessionals. With roots in online-first music culture, she has steadily built a global audience through relatable storytelling, crisp production choices, and a voice that balances softness with clarity. Her performances often feel like shared diary entries set to melody, creating an atmosphere that resonates strongly with younger audiences navigating love, identity, and growing pains in real time.

Rounding out the announcement is genre-bending rapper and producer Warren Hue, whose sharp-edged delivery and experimental production style continue to push the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop. Rising rapidly through the 88rising ecosystem, he has become known for his fearless approach to genre, blending trap, punk energy, and digital-age elements into a sound that feels both chaotic and controlled. His live performances are marked by high intensity and unpredictability, making him one of the most dynamic young voices to watch at this year’s festival.

The lineup for Head In The Clouds 2026 arrives as a celebration of global Asian talent and its continued evolution. With a roster spanning pop, hip-hop, R&B, indie, and club culture, the festival once again positions itself at the intersection of music, identity, and global collaboration. We’ll see you at the Rose Bowl.