West Kowloon | Seventh Edition of "WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest" Makes Triumphant Return in November

Description

The highly anticipated WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest (the Festival) returns at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) from 6 to 9 November 2025, marking the seventh edition of Hong Kong’s annual flagship music celebration. This year’s Festival returns with a dynamic blend of ticketed concerts and free performances, bringing together top jazz musicians from Hong Kong and across the globe. The 2025 edition has been expanded to include diverse genres such as pop, experimental and world music, and over four vibrant days the Freespace and Art Park at WestK will transform into a hub for musical exchange, uniting artists, jazz enthusiasts and the broader public. Tickets are now on sale through the Cityline ticketing platform.

WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest 2025 is supported by HKT as Major Sponsor and Cathay as Travel Partner.

Hong Kong jazz stars Ted Lo and Joyce Cheung launch the Festival with a bold debut collaboration

From 6 to 9 November, The Box at Freespace will come alive with four consecutive nights of high-energy performances, with a stellar lineup of international and local artists fusing pop, classics and jazz to create fresh and genre-defying sounds. On 6 November, Hong Kong jazz legend Ted Lo returns to the Festival for a powerful debut collaboration with the award-winning pianist Joyce Cheung. Together, they will present Echoes Across Eras, a dual-piano concert that kicks things off with a bold statement – a curated programme of original works and new arrangements that captures the dynamic evolution of Hong Kong’s jazz landscape.

Singer-songwriter Ian @MIRROR and rising stars Marf & Winka @COLLAR bring Cantopop energy to the stage

Two charismatic members of COLLAR, Marf and Winka, join to debut at Freespace Jazz Fest on 7 November with a joint concert at The Box at Freespace. Blending energetic street style with sweet ballads, the duo offers a dialogue of emotion and strength through their contrasting stage presence and vocal styles, delivering an intimate musical experience that showcases their unique charms.

The following night, Ian, popular singer-songwriter and member of MIRROR, makes his jazz festival debut on 8 November. Performing at The Box, he will showcase the impressive range of his songwriting and vocal skills with an intimate programme that bridges pop and jazz, exploring the boundaries of his musical expression with the audience.

The concerts of Ian, as well as Marf and Winka are musically directed by local Cantopop producer Terry Tsui, who collaborates closely with these artists, to deliver creative and bold breakthroughs that delight the audience.

British jazz piano star Joe Webb and his trio make their Hong Kong debut

Co-presented by WestK Performing Arts and Premiere Performances of Hong Kong, emerging British jazz piano star Joe Webb and his trio will make their Hong Kong debut on 9 November at the Box, Freespace, bringing this year’s Festival to a rousing close. Since the release of their debut album Hamstrings & Hurricanes in 2024, the trio has quickly become one of Europe’s most exciting new jazz voices, performing across the UK, Germany and Belgium. Webb’s music seamlessly blends the spirit of Brit-pop icons such as Oasis and Blur with contemporary jazz improvisation, while reflecting his passion for football through the music’s vibrant rhythms. Joining him on stage are longtime collaborators Will Sach on double bass and Kai MaCrae on drums, delivering a finely crafted musical journey featuring songs from Hamstrings & Hurricanes along with exclusive previews of yet-to-released works.

A stellar line-up of local and international artists to deliver close to 40 free performances

From 6 to 9 November, the Great Lawn and Habourside West Lawn of the Art Park, as well as Laubak Livehouse will feature a stellar line-up of artists from across Asia and beyond, who will deliver vibrant performances that celebrate the diversity and energy of contemporary jazz. These include:

● Korean saxophonist and composer Kim Oki;

● Otomo Yoshihide, a pioneering Japanese composer standing at the forefront of Asia’s experimental music movement;
mindfreakkk, a popular rising Thai female vocalist known for her expertise in synth pop and indie pop;

● Li Daiguo, a Chinese-American multi-instrumentalist skilled in complex rhythms and handcrafted electronic sounds, fusing

● Eastern spatial aesthetics with impressionistic minimalism in his work;

● Eugene Pao, a renowned guitarist from Hong Kong and a dedicated promoter of jazz music for decades;

● Patrick Lui, another key driving force in Hong Kong’s jazz scene and a renowned local pianist, composer, arranger, and producer;

● Matt Force, Hong Kong rapper and beatmaker, as well as a core member of the independent record label Wildstyle Records;
Colombian percussionist Alonso Gonzalez who is celebrated for his masterful fusion of African, Latin American, Caribbean, and Colombian musical elements;

● The African reggae band General Lino and The Captains, renowned for their electrifying performances that fuse African rhythms with reggae grooves;

● Virgin Vacation, a renowned experimental music band from Hong Kong;

● Fountain de chopin, a local jazz group dedicated to promoting jazz as a way of life in Hong Kong.
 

Additionally, this year’s Festival launches its first partnership with ELEMENTS, extending its free music stages from WestK to ELEMENTS. Programme details will be announced shortly.

WestK’s holistic musical extravaganza joins forces with mainland jazz scene to present diverse musical experiences

This year, the Festival will launch its first collaboration with Guangzhou Xinghai Conservatory of Music, in addition to continuing its fruitful partnership with Foshan Lingnan XINTIANDI, with a view to popularising Hong Kong jazz among young music lovers in Chinese Mainland and amplify the influence of jazz in the Greater Bay Area. A series of distinctive concerts at the Laubak Livehouse will showcase artists from Chinese Mainland for a unique musical experience.

Blend jazz, breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, and diverse global cuisine to offer sensory delights for the audience

A two-day food market will be held at the Great Lawn of the Art Park on the weekend of 8 to 9 November. It will bring together approximately 14 local F&B speciality brands, including Baby Sonny's Pizza, DARA and Mak's Brewery, offering a diverse array of global cuisines for music fans. Against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour, attendees can immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere, enjoying live music, fine wines, and delicious food at this autumn celebration.

Paul Tam, Executive Director of Performing Arts, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said, “Now in its seventh edition, Freespace Jazz Fest has firmly established itself as one of Asia’s most influential annual jazz events, uniting international and local talent in a vibrant celebration of Hong Kong’s rich and diverse musical landscape. This reflects WestK’s long-term commitment to fostering artistic excellence and cultural exchange. Looking ahead, the Festival will continue to push the creative boundaries of jazz and other musical styles, using rhythm and melody to connect musicians and audiences worldwide and helping to propel Hong Kong’s distinctive jazz identity onto the international stage.”

For the latest programmes and ticketing details, please visit the WestK website: https://www.westk.hk/en/event/freespace-jazz-fest

WestK Presents: Freespace Jazz Fest 2025 is supported by HKT as the Major Sponsor and Cathay as Travel Partner; Xinghai Conservatory of Music and Foshan Lingnan XINTIANDI as Festival Partners; the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong as Supporting Partner; ELEMENTS as the Mall Partner; Tom Lee Music as the Musical Instrument Partner; and Commercial Radio 2’s 903 Music and MOOV as the Media Partner.

"Free Jazz Festival: Echoes Across Eras"

Hong Kong jazz godfather Ted Lo will return to the Free Jazz Festival stage, collaborating for the first time with award-winning pianist Joyce Cheung for the piano duet concert "Echoes Across Eras" on November 6th. The two musicians will perform a selection of original works and re-arrange many familiar melodies. This cross-generational performance will showcase the diverse charm and creative spark of Hong Kong jazz, sounding a brilliant prelude to the rhythm of music.

"Free Jazz Festival: Marf Chiu & Winka Chan @COLLAR"

Marf Chiu and Winka Chan of the popular group COLLAR will make their Free Jazz Festival debut on November 7th, performing their first duo concert at the Freespace Big Box. The cool and stylish Marf and the frank and tender Winka, with their distinctly different stage presences and vocals, weave a dialogue of sensibility and power, each radiating with brilliance, offering the audience a captivating and intimate musical experience.

"Free Jazz Festival: Chan Cheuk-yin @ MIRROR"

Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and MIRROR member Ian (Chan Cheuk-yin) will make his Jazz Festival debut at the Freespace Big Box, engaging in a musical dialogue spanning pop and jazz. In this intimate space, Ian will explore new musical realms with music fans and push the boundaries of their creativity.

"Free Jazz Festival: Joe Webb Trio"

Co-organized by West Kowloon Performing Arts and Leap Performances Hong Kong, rising British jazz pianist Joe Webb will make his Hong Kong debut, closing this year's Free Jazz Festival. Since releasing his debut album, "Hamstrings & Hurricanes," in 2024, Webb has quickly become a rising star on the European jazz scene, touring extensively in the UK, Germany, and Belgium. His music deftly blends the soul of British rock bands like Oasis and Blur with contemporary jazz improvisation, and he channels his passion for football into vibrant rhythms, presenting a unique and energetic style. The lineup includes Joe Webb's longtime collaborator, double bassist Will Sach, and drummer Kai MaCrae. Their deft and delicate playing will take the audience on a virtuosic and inspiring musical journey. The performance will include selections from the Hamstrings & Hurricanes album, as well as a preview of unreleased new material, serving as a captivating finale to the festival.

Free Programs and Food Market

● During the festival, a series of free programs will be presented at the Art Park Great Lawn, the West Lawn at the Harbourfront, and the White Space Livehouse, showcasing performances by local and international independent musicians.

● A global food market will be held at West Kowloon, allowing audiences to enjoy music, food, and wine in a vibrant atmosphere, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the festival.