Grammy-nominated pop group KATSEYE will headline the Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival when it returns to Brookside at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, August 8, bringing one of the country's largest celebrations of Asian and Asian diaspora artists back to Pasadena for a single day.
The festival, presented by 88rising and Goldenvoice, drew more than 75,000 people to its sold-out two-day 10th anniversary edition in 2025. This year's lineup spans hip-hop, R&B, K-pop and Indonesian pop across a bill that includes Japanese group XG, South Korean rapper Dabin.kr making his U.S. debut, singer-songwriter UMI, rapper Rich Brian, Jay Park-produced boy group LNGSHOT, South Korean girl group KiiiKiii, Indonesian pop group no na, Hong Kong DJ Gia Fu, and rapper Warren Hue.
Gates open at 1 p.m. with an 11 p.m. curfew. The event is all ages, rain or shine, with no re-entry.
Local students open the Toyota Music Den
Students from John Marshall High School will open the Toyota Music Den stage in a partnership with Music Will, a national nonprofit that works to restore music programs in public schools. The Den, tucked inside the festival's Toyota booth, also features DJ sets from Tiffany Day and Rhea Raj, plus performances by Autograf and Ylona Garcia.
The student set positions the festival as a platform for emerging artists alongside established headliners, according to Pasadena Now's preview of the event.
Food and tickets
The food lineup leans into the festival's Asian roots. Vendors include Pasadena's own Bone Kettle, Kogi (the Korean-Mexican taco truck), Bang Bang Noodles, The Boiling Crab, Banh Khot Lady, Gokoku, Bistro Na's, Sandoitchi, Chimmelier, and Burger She Wrote. The full vendor list is available on the Head in the Clouds app.
General admission passes start at $179. VIP passes start at $329, and the 1999 Club tier runs $479. All prices include service fees and taxes. Passes are available at la.hitcfestival.com.
Head in the Clouds has held editions in New York, Jakarta, Manila and China, but Pasadena remains its home base. The festival site is at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive.
Upcoming Pasadena community events
- Sunday, August 2: Victory Park Farmers' Market, featuring certified California farmers selling seasonal produce directly to shoppers.
- Tuesday, August 4: Pasadena's 30th Annual National Night Out, 5 to 7 p.m. at Jefferson Park, 1501 E. Villa Street.
- Saturday, August 8: Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival, Brookside at the Rose Bowl. Gates at 1 p.m.
