Head in the Clouds returned to Brookside at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, bringing together an eclectic lineup of artists, immersive experiences, food, and pop-up activations for another memorable day in Los Angeles.
From the moment festival-goers entered the grounds, there was plenty to explore beyond the stages. Brand activations transformed the festival into more than just a concert, giving attendees opportunities to discover new products, play games, take photos, and pick up plenty of freebies along the way.
Sephora teamed up with Innisfree, Laniege, and Glow Recipe for a beauty-focused activation, while Nara handed out complimentary drinks. POCARI SWEAT helped festival-goers stay hydrated with drink samples and hydration packs. JINS offered one of the more interactive stops, allowing attendees to create their own fans, take a Polaroid, and receive a keychain.
The Metro activation was another popular stop, handing out TAP cards along with either an umbrella or fan. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball Z brought a gaming experience to the festival, allowing attendees to try out a new game before receiving light-up wristbands.
A Festival for Food Lovers
Music wasn’t the only attraction at Head in the Clouds. The festival grounds were filled with food vendors offering everything from Vietnamese favorites to burgers, noodles, seafood, and drinks.
Among the food options were Banh Kot Lady, Bang Bang Noodles, Smash Burgers, BLUEY & CO., Odd One Out, UG Tea, Soon Hari, Hennessy, and Boiling Crab, alongside plenty of other choices spread throughout the festival grounds. The wide variety gave attendees plenty of opportunities to explore different flavors while making their way between stages. Whether festival-goers were looking for a quick bite, a refreshing drink, or something more filling before heading back into the crowd, there was no shortage of options to choose from.
The food offerings also added another layer to the overall Head in the Clouds experience, allowing attendees to take a break from the music without having to leave the festival grounds. With so many vendors packed into the venue, grabbing food became part of the experience itself, with friends gathering to share dishes, discover new favorites, and recharge before catching their next artist. From Asian-inspired favorites to familiar comfort foods, the selection helped make the festival feel like a full-day celebration of food, music, and culture.
One or Eight & BE:FIRST Start the Day With Energy
One of the first performances of the day came from ONE OR EIGHT, who immediately brought their high-energy performance style to the festival stage. Opening the day’s musical lineup with an energetic presence, the group quickly captured the attention of festivalgoers making their way toward the stage. Their performance featured “Tokyo Drift” and “Yankee Squad,” along with a new song from their upcoming album, giving fans an exciting preview of what is still to come from the group.
ONE OR EIGHT’s set was a strong introduction to the festival’s diverse lineup, combining their energetic choreography with a sound that reflects their growing identity as a global Japanese group. The new song was particularly exciting for fans, offering a glimpse into the group’s next chapter while longtime listeners were able to enjoy some of their established material. Their confidence onstage made it clear that they were ready to take on a festival environment, setting the tone for the performances that followed.
BE:FIRST continued the momentum with performances including “Stare in Wonder” and “Mainstream.” The Japanese group brought their polished choreography, commanding vocals, and strong stage presence to the festival, quickly turning the stage into their own. Their performance style allowed the members to showcase both their individual charisma and chemistry as a group, keeping the audience engaged throughout the set.
Together, ONE OR EIGHT and BE:FIRST provided an energetic start to the day, highlighting the strength of Japanese artists within Head in the Clouds’ diverse lineup. Their performances also served as an early reminder of the festival’s ability to introduce audiences to artists from across Asia while giving established acts a large platform to connect with fans in Los Angeles. With both groups bringing plenty of energy to the stage, the festival was off to a strong start.
From DJ Sets to Rising Artists
Gia Fu shifted the atmosphere with an energetic DJ set, keeping the crowd moving and setting the mood for the next wave of performances. Her set provided a seamless transition between the earlier acts and the heavier lineup still to come, with the crowd taking the opportunity to dance, grab food, and make their way closer to the stages. The DJ set added another layer to the festival experience, reminding attendees that Head in the Clouds is just as much about discovering different sounds and artists as it is about seeing the biggest names on the lineup.
She wasn’t the only DJ there. At the Music Den on the other side of the park were artists like DANAKADAN, Rhea Raj, Autograf, Ylona Garcia and more.
From Rap to Girl Power: Warren Hue and NO NA Shine
Warren Hue followed with a set that included “I <3 Rap,” “Martian,” and “West,” bringing his signature blend of hip-hop and R&B to the festival. The performance became even more memorable when Rich Brian joined him onstage for “Getcho Mans.” The collaboration immediately energized the crowd, with the two artists sharing the stage for a moment that highlighted the chemistry and history between artists within the 88rising community. It was one of those unexpected festival moments that made the performance feel unique to Head in the Clouds.
NO NA then brought a completely different kind of energy to the stage with a performance full of personality and choreography. The group opened with “Superstitious,” which featured a dance break inspired by Beyoncé’s “Girls Run the World,” giving the performance an extra burst of confidence and attitude. They continued with “Shoot,” “Honk!,” and “The One,” keeping the audience engaged throughout the set. From their expressive performance style to the choreography woven into each song, NO NA used their time onstage to showcase both musicality and individuality.
KiiiKiii Bring Their Own Flavor
KiiiKiii delivered one of the festival’s most fun and youthful sets, bringing a playful energy to the stage with songs including “Dancing Alone,” “Delulu,” “BTG,” “Underdogs,” “Candy Pink Magic Hole Flip Phone,” “Groundwork,” and “I Do Me.” From the moment they stepped onto the stage, the members maintained a lively presence that matched the colorful and carefree spirit of their music. Each song offered something different, allowing the group to showcase both their individual personalities and their chemistry as a group.
Their choreography added another layer to the performance, with the members confidently moving across the stage while keeping the audience engaged from beginning to end. The set was especially memorable for the audience who may have been discovering KiiiKiii for the first time, as their bright energy and distinct musical style made it easy to see what sets them apart. By the end of the performance, KiiiKiii had established themselves as one of the day’s standout rising acts, leaving the crowd wanting more.
From Intimate Moments to High-Energy Performances
Tiffany Day brought a more intimate and emotional atmosphere to the festival with a set centered around her personal songwriting. She performed “TELL ME WHAT I DID,” “Everything I’ve Ever Wanted,” “Same LA,” “No Luck,” and “If I Don’t Text You First,” giving the crowd a chance to slow down and take in the more vulnerable side of her music. Her softer sound provided a welcome contrast to the high-energy performances happening throughout the day, allowing her to create a more personal connection with the audience. Rather than relying on elaborate production, Tiffany let the songs and her vocals take center stage, making the performance feel sincere and reflective.
LNGSHOT quickly shifted the energy back up with their lively set, performing “Backseat,” “Moonwalkin’,” “Never Let Go,” and “FaceTime.” The group brought a youthful and confident presence to the stage, keeping the crowd engaged with their choreography and dynamic performance style. One of the standout moments came during “Summer Eyes/Good Girls,” when the members incorporated portions of their individual solo material into the performance. The segment offered fans a glimpse into each member’s individual artistry while still highlighting the chemistry that makes LNGSHOT work as a group. Together, the two performances created a memorable contrast—Tiffany Day’s heartfelt songwriting providing a moment of intimacy before LNGSHOT brought the crowd back to their feet.
UMI Turns the Festival Into a Party
UMI brought a warm and spontaneous energy to the festival with a set that felt less like a traditional performance and more like a personal gathering between the artist and her audience. She opened with “Love Affair,” immediately drawing the crowd into her dreamy R&B sound before switching things up with a medley of recognizable songs. The medley included tracks associated with artists such as Soulja Boy, Daniel Caesar, and Miley Cyrus, giving the performance an unexpected and playful twist. Hearing familiar songs reimagined through UMI’s style added an element of surprise and kept the audience engaged throughout the set.
The performance became even more memorable when UMI stepped away from the stage and made her way directly through the crowd. Surrounded by the crowd, she continued performing while interacting with the audience, creating a much more intimate atmosphere despite the size of the festival. Fans were able to experience the performance from up close rather than simply watching from the crowd, turning the moment into something that felt spontaneous and personal. By breaking down the distance between performer and audience, UMI transformed her set into a shared experience—one where the crowd wasn’t simply watching the show, but became part of it
Rich Brian Returns Home to Head in the Clouds
Rich Brian brought his signature sound and laid-back stage presence to Head in the Clouds with a set featuring “Drive Safely,” “Timezone,” and “Dat $tick.” Each song represented a different side of his artistry, moving from the more reflective and personal atmosphere of “Drive Safely” and “Timezone” into the harder-hitting energy of “Dat $tick.” The crowd responded enthusiastically throughout the performance, with longtime fans recognizing the songs and singing along as Brian moved through some of his most familiar material.
His appearance also carried extra significance after his earlier surprise collaboration with Warren Hue during “Getcho Mans.” Having already shared the stage earlier in the day, Brian’s solo performance gave fans another opportunity to see one of the artists most closely associated with the Head in the Clouds experience take the spotlight on his own. There was a sense of familiarity throughout the set, as Brian revisited songs that have remained important parts of his catalog while performing them for a festival audience that has followed his journey over the years. His set served as another reminder of the connection between Rich Brian and the festival, making his return to the Head in the Clouds stage feel like a natural highlight of the day.
Dabin.KR Reflects on a New Chapter
Dabin.KR delivered a memorable set featuring “Kiss Me,” “Jasmine,” and “Kiss the Ring,” bringing a mix of emotional melodies and a more confident, commanding energy to the stage. His performance carried a sense of familiarity for longtime Head in the Clouds attendees, but there was also something noticeably different about this appearance. Rather than simply returning to a stage he had performed on before, Dabin.KR used the moment to reflect on how much his life and career have changed since his last appearance at the festival.
During the set, he spoke to the crowd about those changes, noting that a lot has happened since the last time he stood on the same stage. He emphasized that while the festival, the stage, and circumstances may have changed, the audience was now meeting Dabin.KR. His words gave the performance a deeper personal meaning, turning what could have been a straightforward festival appearance into a celebration of growth and a new chapter in his artistic journey.
That reflection was especially fitting alongside the songs he performed. “Kiss Me” and “Jasmine” created a more intimate atmosphere, while “Kiss the Ring” brought the set to a different time. By the end, Dabin.KR had made it clear that this wasn’t simply a return to a familiar festival—it was an opportunity to introduce audiences to the artist he has become.
XG Delivers the Most Dramatic Performance of the Night
As the day moved toward its biggest performances, XG made one of the strongest impressions of the festival.
Their entrance was easily one of the most dramatic intros of the night, immediately signaling that the group had arrived with a performance built for a massive festival stage. They opened with “WOKE UP,” followed by a “HOWLING” and “GRL GVNG” mix before moving into “UNDEFEATED,” their song created for VALORANT. The set continued with “ROCK THE BOAT,” “HYPNOTIZE,” “TAKE MY BREATH,” “IYKYK,” “IS THIS LOVE,” and “LEFT RIGHT.”
“ORBiT” became another visual highlight as the members moved around the stage, even incorporating a mirror into their choreography and using different areas of the stage rather than remaining in one spot. For the finale, XG performed “SHOOTING STAR.” Although microphone stands were brought out for the final song, the members didn’t simply stand behind them. Instead, they continued dancing and moving across the stage, maintaining the intensity all the way through the final moments.
XG’s set was a reminder of why their performances translate so well to festivals: the choreography, visuals, production, and confidence all work together to create something that feels larger than a standard concert performance.
KATSEYE Brings Star Power to the Festival Stage
KATSEYE took the stage with a set packed with songs spanning their rapidly growing catalog, immediately bringing a new level of energy to the festival. The group performed their tracks such as “Pinky Up,” “Touch,” “Gnarly,” “Animal,” “Tonight I Might,” and “Debut” giving fans a setlist that showcased the different sides of their sound. Each performance was backed by sharp choreography and the group’s confident stage presence, with the members moving seamlessly between powerful dance moments and more playful performances.
The set continued with “Flame,” featured in a Netflix series, as well as “Monster High,” “Gabriela,” “My Way,” and “MIA.” With each song, the members had an opportunity to showcase their individual personalities while maintaining the polished chemistry that has become a defining part of KATSEYE’s performances. Their ability to move between different concepts and styles kept the set from feeling repetitive, with every song bringing its own energy to the stage.
By this point in the festival, the crowd was fully energized, making KATSEYE a fitting act for the final stretch of the day. Fans sang and danced along as the group moved through their set, creating the kind of atmosphere that made the performance feel like a celebration rather than simply another festival appearance. KATSEYE’s growing presence on the global stage was evident throughout the performance, and their Head in the Clouds set offered another strong showcase of why they continue to attract audiences across different corners of the world.
More Than Just a Music Festival
Head in the Clouds LA 2026 once again demonstrated why the festival has become such a unique fixture in Los Angeles’ music scene. Its appeal isn’t limited to a single genre or audience. Throughout the day, K-pop, J-pop, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and electronic music shared the same festival grounds, while food vendors and brand activations gave attendees plenty to experience between sets.
From early performances by ONE OR EIGHT and BE:FIRST to the personal songwriting of Tiffany Day, the crowd interaction of UMI, Rich Brian’s festival anthems, Dabin.KR’s reflection on his journey, and the massive performances from XG and KATSEYE, the day offered something for nearly every kind of music fan.
Let’s see where they’ll be holding it next!
Written by: Diana | Photos by: fino
