Head In The Clouds 2025 Blazes Through Los Angeles with Iconic Comebacks and New-Gen Superstars
- Abby Qi
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 20
JUNE 20 2025
by Abby Qi
The sky over Los Angeles lit up once again as 88rising’s Head In The Clouds festival returned in 2025 with a genre-defying lineup that brought together legends, trailblazers, and rising stars from across Asia. Hosted at Brookside at the Rose Bowl over two unforgettable days, the festival pushed the boundaries of music and culture, delivering a bold statement about the global rise of Asian artistry.
DAY 1: The Return of DEAN, Tabber’s Momentum, and G-DRAGON’s Earth-Shaking Comeback
Fans had been holding their breath for years—and they finally exhaled when DEAN took the stage, marking his long-awaited return with an ethereal yet powerful set. With Tabber joining him for a special joint performance, the two delivered a seamless fusion of alternative R&B and experimental hip-hop, backed by dreamlike visuals and a euphoric crowd. From “Instagram” to “I’m Not Sorry,” DEAN reminded everyone why he remains one of Korea’s most respected voices.
But the moment that redefined the festival came when G-DRAGON emerged under a single spotlight. Dressed in a reimagined military-inspired ensemble, the K-pop icon unleashed a high-energy set that traced the evolution of his genre-bending career. He kicked it off with the most recent hit songs like “HOME SWEET HOME” and “POWER” to fan favorites like “TOO BAD,” every song was matched with explosive visuals and roaring applause. A special highlight came when he was joined on stage by CL for “THE LEADERS”, sending the crowd into absolute frenzy. As fireworks lit the sky behind him, it was clear: this wasn’t just a performance—it was a resurrection. G-DRAGON’s headline slot became the defining moment of the weekend.
DAY 2: MILLI’s Explosive Debut, DPR IAN’s Cinematic Chaos, and a 2NE1 Reunion for the Ages
The second day kicked off with MILLI, Thailand’s rap prodigy, whose set was pure adrenaline. Her rapid-fire lyricism, cheeky charisma, and a surprise mashup had the crowd chanting in both Thai and English. It was youthful, fearless, and undeniably global.
DPR IAN followed with what felt more like a short film than a concert. Drenched in dramatic lighting and layered visuals, he brought his inner demons to life through tracks like “So I Danced” and “Peanut Butter & Tears.” Midway through his performance, he surprised the audience with a hauntingly cinematic unreleased track, hinting at the next chapter of his sonic journey. With every note, he built a world that was dark, emotional, and captivating—leaving the audience breathless and wanting more.
And just when fans thought they had seen it all, the lights cut and four shadows walked onto the stage. 2NE1 reunited for a surprise set that tore the roof off. With CL, Dara, and Minzy back together, the group performed classics like “I Am The Best,” “Fire,” and “Come Back Home.” It was raw, electric, and deeply emotional—reminding everyone of the blueprint they created for female K-pop groups.
A Weekend to Remember
From DEAN’s poetic return to G-DRAGON’s iconic rebirth, from MILLI’s boundary-smashing debut to DPR IAN’s soul-baring performance and 2NE1’s powerful reunion, Head In The Clouds 2025 wasn’t just a festival—it was a movement. It celebrated legacy, elevated new voices, and gave fans two nights of history-in-the-making performances.
Whether you were crying in the crowd or watching from your screen, one thing is for sure—this was one for the books.
Which performance shook you the most at HITC 2025? Tell us on Instagram —we want to hear your stories.
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