88rising’s Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival officially returns to Los Angeles in 2026. Since its inception in 2018, it has been known as “the premiere music festival for Asian talent in the US” by bringing Asian-centric music, art, and cuisine together. Last year’s festival featured big names like G-Dragon, 2NE1, and DEAN and drew fans from all over the country for one jam-packed weekend (Check out last year’s LA 2025 Head in the Clouds Recap here). This year, the festival will take place on August 8, 2026 for one day at the Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. KATSEYE is slated to headline the festival while XG, Rich Brian, Warren Hue, UMI, Tiffany Day, Dabin.kr and rising K-Pop acts KiiiKiii, and LNGSHOT round out the lineup.
K-Pop Artists to Watch at Head in the Clouds LA
KATSEYE
U.S.-based girl group KATSEYE will make their first festival headlining appearance following a breakout Coachella debut in April 2026. Formed through HYBE x Geffen’s The Debut: Dream Academy, the group quickly gained traction for blending Western pop with the K-Pop training and development model, with hit songs like “GNARLY” and “Gabriela” breaking through the mainstream U.S. music market. KATSEYE has continued building momentum through major festival appearances, including their Governors Ball debut on June 5, 2026, further cementing their rise as one of the fastest-growing global girl groups. Their upcoming EP, WILD, is set for release on August 14, 2026, meaning fans can likely expect new songs, fresh choreography, and updated stages by the time they take the stage at Head in the Clouds.
XG
Copilot said: Global girl group XG will be back on the Head in the Clouds stage following standout performances at Head In The Clouds in LA (2023) and Head In The Clouds NY (2024). While composed of Japanese members, the group is closely tied to the K-Pop ecosystem, having trained in South Korea and adopting its idol development system to create their self-defined “X-pop” sound. The group has continued to build global momentum through their successful world tour featuring breakout hits like “WOKE UP,” “SHOOTING STAR,” “LEFT RIGHT,” alongside their latest release, “GALA.” XG also gained international attention as the only Japanese act to perform at Coachella 2025, further cementing their growing global presence.
Dabin.kr
Singer and rapper Dabin.kr will make his first U.S. festival appearance under his new moniker, marking a major reintroduction moment on a global stage. He first gained attention under the stage name DPR LIVE (디피알 라이브), where his ability to blend Korean and English culture into his music quickly attracted an international audience, including previous performances at Head In The Clouds LA (2021 and 2023) and New York (2023). Since relaunching as Dabin.kr, he has explored a more experimental and cross-genre sound through his 2024 album Giggles, featuring the title track “Shower Song,” as well as his 2025 EP senseS.
KiiiKiii
Fast-rising girl group KiiiKiii first gained attention as Starship Entertainment’s first girl group debut in five years following the breakout success of IVE. The group debuted with “I Do Me” and quickly emerged as one of K-Pop’s top rookie acts, earning the “Rookie of the Year” title at the Asia Artist Awards. Most recently, KiiiKiii gained international momentum with “404 (New Era),” a viral hit praised for its infectious sound, Y2K-inspired concept, and strong Gen Z appeal. The track also earned the group their first Korean music show win, further cementing their rapid rise. Following a standout rookie year, KiiiKiii now brings that momentum to Head in the Clouds for their U.S. debut.
LNGSHOT
LNGSHOT may have just debuted this year, but they are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about rookie boy groups in the K-hip-hop space. The group has drawn significant attention as the first boy group personally developed and produced by Jay Park, blending K-Pop performance polish with the raw energy and authenticity of hip-hop culture. The four-member group recently built momentum following a successful U.S. debut performance at the K-EXPO USA K-POP Concert held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on May 24, 2026. Their hybrid K-Pop and hip-hop identity makes them a natural fit for 88rising’s cross-genre, cross-cultural audience. The group also recently collaborated directly with Jay Park on the mixtape “4SHOBOIZ Vol. 2: 4SHOVILLE,” further showcasing their chemistry and reinforcing Jay Park’s hands-on involvement in shaping the group’s sound and identity.
Head In The Clouds LA 2026 is back with its signature global sounds, bringing together rising and established artists for a full day of high-energy performances. As K-Pop continues to expand its influence worldwide, festivals like Head in the Clouds further solidify its pivotal role in the global music scene.
Tickets are on sale now, with General Admission starting at $179, VIP at $329, and 1999 Club passes available for $479. More information and tickets can be found at the festival’s official site: https://la.hitcfestival.com/.