Cover The music hall at Tides, a new live music venue in Whampoa (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
The music hall at Tides, a new live music venue in Whampoa (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
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Will Tides, Live Nation’s new mid-sized live music venue in Whampoa, be the answer to Hong Kong’s lack of performing arts spaces?
Whampoa is not the first neighbourhood one associates with live music, but that is set to change. Opening this autumn, Tides is managed by Live Nation—the entertainment powerhouse that has staged concerts for Coldplay in Hong Kong.
Housed within the city’s iconic ship-shaped shopping centre, the music hall accommodates 1,500 guests with additional seating in the balcony. According to Live Nation Asia’s director of production Jaime Welton, the sound and lighting systems are on par with stadium-level shows. A plug-and-play setup allows musicians to step in and perform with minimal preparation, often within the same day.
Above Tides is set to open in the ship-shaped Whampoa complex in Kowloon (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
Tides is set to open in the ship-shaped Whampoa complex in Kowloon (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
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Given Whampoa’s largely residential character, soundproofing was a major priority. Around 30,000 residents live directly opposite the venue, raising concerns over noise impact. Daniele Albanese, head of acoustics (APAC) at Cundall, designed perimeter rooms with concrete block walls to contain sound. The ceiling employs honeycomb aluminium—more often found in aircraft construction—to absorb vibrations. “We examined every possible escape path for sound,” Albanese explains. “It was a year-long effort, but we succeeded.”
Albanese also ensured the hall maintains a palpable connection between stage and audience. “There are no limits on loudness, and performers can feel the reaction of their audience. It’s an intimate venue that protects the community outside while enhancing the live experience inside.”
The venue’s design offers more than technical excellence. A plush VIP lounge serves pre-show cocktails, two additional bars anchor the main hall, and a backstage suite includes private cabins, shower facilities and a green room for interviews.
Above A bar in Tides, where visitors can enjoy a drink or two during concerts (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
A bar in Tides, where visitors can enjoy a drink or two during concerts (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
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For Hutchison Whampoa Limited, the property owner, Tides is part of a broader vision to enrich the residential district with culture. Discussions with Live Nation date back to 2019, though the pandemic put plans on hold. “The closure of Kitec in 2024 became the catalyst for reviving the project,” says Joanna Yuen, Live Nation Hong Kong’s managing director.
Yuen highlights a scarcity of suitable arts venues in the city. The Coliseum and government-run theatres exist, but stringent booking rules often sideline musicians. Larger options such as AsiaWorld-Expo, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Kai Tak are impractical for emerging artists. Remaining mid-scale venues like MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok, Tung Po in San Po Kong and Axa Dreamland in Sai Sha are perpetually in demand.
Above The music hall at Tides, a new live music venue in Whampoa (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
The music hall at Tides, a new live music venue in Whampoa (Photo: Tatler Hong Kong)
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“Limited choice means artists are constantly competing for bookings,” Yuen notes. “Every star begins small before filling arenas. Mid-sized and boutique venues are essential stepping stones.”
She points to international success stories: Dua Lipa first performed in Hong Kong in 2018 at MacPherson Stadium, and is now headlining stadiums worldwide. Laufey, who played Kitec’s Music Zone for 600 fans just two years ago, returned in 2023 to perform before 8,000 at AsiaWorld-Expo. Yuen expects her next stop in the region will be arena tours.
Live Nation anticipates hosting 250 shows a year at Tides, spanning not just music but also comedy, theatre and even niche sporting events. The venue launches this October with two Halloween concerts headlined by Hong Kong indie band The Hertz.
“If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that nothing replaces live music,” says Yuen. With that conviction, Tides is poised to open a new chapter in the city’s cultural landscape.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
