We might be in lockdown, our ability to celebrate anything limited to the confines of our home’s four walls, but around the world, major moments of cultural importance continue to unfold. In May every year, the heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is championed. In 2020, despite the circumstances, the team behind 88rising are keen to ensure that remains the case.
88rising — the label and moniker given to a team that consists of Rich Brian, NIKI, Higher Brothers, Joji and many more — are no stranger to killer live line-ups; they regularly tour the world as a group, performing to sold-out crowds. Their next audience, though, will be a digital one. In honour of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the 88rising lot have curated a fine line-up of artists from those backgrounds to perform as part of a new free festival, ASIA RISING FOREVER.
Streamed live on 88rising’s YouTube and Twitter accounts, the festival will take place on 6 May, kicking off at 9PM EST (like a real gig) and lasting for four sweet hours. Who’s on the line-up? Everybody from label mainstays Rich Brian, NIKI and Dumbfoundead, who will host the whole affair, to Generation Z superstars like Beabadoobee and mxmtoom. What’s more, the list of performers is set to expand even further before the whole affair kicks off.
The night will be split up by exclusive interviews with the performing talent and some games too. Sound like your kind of gig? Well, check out the full line-up below and set a reminder on your phone for 6 May. We might be locked indoors, but that doesn’t mean we can’t stan through our screens.