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Ashlyn Chak

After debuting in May with a lineup of entirely Hong Kong-based DJs, Midori is returning for its second edition of the year to wrap up the summer festival season.
To be held from October 11 to 13, the three-day music festival will again take place at an undisclosed secluded rural location complete with campsite to underscore its overall eco message.
“[Our] core aim is to highlight the beautiful natural landscape of Hong Kong,” says Nathan Cornish, founder of Y2K, the event organiser.
“We love exploring the outlying islands of [the city] and believe nature is key to the Midori experience. There are so many unexplored natural spaces here and [we want to] showcase their value and beauty.”

Cornish, from Cape Town in South Africa, moved to Hong Kong in 2019 and started Y2K a year later, hosting community-centric events from block parties and club nights to festivals and creative markets.
At the beginning of this year, Y2K teamed up with Omni Agency, a Hong Kong-based multidisciplinary collective, to start work on Midori, which means “green” in Japanese and alludes to the concept of nature.
Both were inspired by the increasing number of indie music events in the city and decided to start a new project with a focus on local electronic music and nature that would help enrich Hong Kong’s house, techno and bass scenes.
Midori’s exact location is only disclosed to ticket holders. “We’ve previously worked with an eco-farm on Lantau Island and, following our trend of venue choices, will be hosting this event in October on an organic rice farm on the outskirts of Hong Kong,” Cornish says.
He adds that they are hosting a second festival this year to build off the success of the first one and to “foster the concept of a biannual event, with one beginning the festival season and one ending it”.

Taking place over the Chung Yeung Festival long weekend, Midori has invited a line-up of local music collectives to each send two DJs for two-hour, back-to-back sets.
More than 30 DJs will take turns spinning the decks over the three days, from Yeti Out and Surprise Surprise to underground powerhouses Slimefest and Dark Metaz.
“While there are larger-scale events [in Hong Kong] that deal with the more commercial side of dance music, our focus is on the underground electronic music and the culture surrounding it,” Cornish says.
“But we know that music isn’t the only thing that draws people in, so we want to create a well-rounded experience [that caters] to a wide array of unique interests.”
Midori has organised activities including music production lessons using the digital audio workstation Ableton; illusionist performances; pottery and picture-frame-making workshops; waterfall and beach excursions; herb and fungi foraging workshops in the hills near the festival site; and a tour of the venue’s rice farm to learn about rice cultivation.

Those looking for a more relaxing experience can choose to lay back and enjoy outdoor lectures and screenings, including “Lantau Ecology” about the island’s diverse ecosystems and the importance of conservation, “Perpetual Plastic” on turning beach rubbish into art, and a skateboarding film by local documentary makers Likewise.
Meanwhile, various local food and drink brands will be present at the festival. Attendees will also be able to buy a Midori-branded biodegradable drinking cup made of wheat straw and plant-sourced bioplastics, which encourages a no-waste festival experience (the festival will not provide plastic water bottles or disposable cups).
Cornish adds that they wish to “create an outdoor experience with minimal intervention in nature, highlighting the natural world while being immersed in it.”
Festivalgoers can stay overnight on a campsite next to the farm that comes complete with warm showers and toilets. They can bring their own camping gear or rent directly from the venue.
Midori is for those aged 18 or over only. Early-bird tickets sold out in August, but single-day passes are still available from HK$480 to HK$580, while tickets for the whole weekend range from HK$680 to HK$780, depending on availability.


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People dance during the inaugural Midori electronic music festival in Hong Kong in May. The festival features entirely locally based DJs and celebrates underground electronic music and the city’s extensive natural landscape. Photo: Jake Aaron Morton / Y2K, Omni Agency

The previous Midori festival was held on an eco-farm on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. Photo: Jake Aaron Morton / Y2K, Omni Agency

The inaugural Midori festival was held in May. Photo: Jake Aaron Morton / Y2K, Omni Agency

People take part in a craft workshop during the first Midori festival. Photo: Jake Aaron Morton / Y2K, Omni Agency

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Lifestyle

Entertainment

Culture

The three-day Midori festival focuses on underground electronic music and culture while highlighting Hong Kong’s beautiful natural landscape


The three-day Midori festival focuses on underground electronic music and culture while highlighting Hong Kong’s beautiful natural landscape.


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