A new chapter for Hong Kong’s live music landscape began this week with the opening of Tides, a mid-sized concert venue in Hung Hom backed by Live Nation, the US-based entertainment company. The two-storey, 30,000-square-foot venue is located inside the yacht-shaped Whampoa shopping complex and accommodates up to 1,500 standing attendees.
According to Live Nation, Tides was conceived as a “plug-and-play” venue for artists, equipped with tour-grade production systems, 360-degree sound, and flexible staging. The space is designed to host up to 250 events per year, ranging from concerts and comedy shows to corporate gatherings and brand activations.
“Hong Kong has long needed a high-quality, mid-sized venue that can bridge the gap between small clubs and large arenas,” said Joanna Yuen, Managing Director of Live Nation Hong Kong. “Tides provides that missing link, giving both emerging and established artists a professional platform to connect with audiences.”
The opening ceremony on Tuesday featured live performances by local acts including The Hertz, Le Shing, and Beanies. The Hertz’s vocalist, Herman Wong, noted that the band hopes the venue will nurture a local “livehouse culture,” similar to the vibrant independent scenes they have experienced overseas. “We performed at many livehouses in different countries,” he said. “They thrive because they have excellent venues—Tides could be that place for Hong Kong.”
Upcoming performances include Japan’s Novelbright and Canadian rapper bbno$, with Live Nation confirming that the venue’s calendar is already 70 to 80 percent booked through the end of the year.
Acoustic design and community impact
In a densely populated residential district like Hung Hom, concerns over potential noise pollution were anticipated. Stephanie Bax, Live Nation’s President of Venue Development Asia, addressed these issues directly: “We spent significantly more than expected on acoustics. During all of the test events there was no noise leakage, and we’ve received no official complaints.”
The soundproofing system, developed by engineering consultancy Cundall, was inspired by aviation technology. “We built Tides like a concrete bubble,” said consultant Daniele Albanese. “The acoustic materials we used were originally designed for aircraft.”
Officials and industry observers see the venue as part of a broader effort to boost Hong Kong’s “concert economy.” Culture Minister Rosanna Law recently reported that large-scale concerts attracted 4.3 million attendees between 2023 and 2024, contributing HK$3.7 billion in spending and HK$2.2 billion to the economy.
A new cultural hub for Kowloon
Beyond its technical features, Tides’ location is symbolic. Situated outside the traditional Central-Harbourfront entertainment corridor, it brings live music deeper into Kowloon’s urban fabric. Live Nation hopes to position it within a new cultural hub alongside the nearby Hong Kong Coliseum, Kai Tak Sports Park, and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre.
“Tides is more than a venue,” said Yuen. “It’s part of a vision to make live music accessible and community-driven in Hong Kong again.”
With sleek design, robust sound engineering, and an ambitious schedule of performances, Tides is poised to become a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s evolving cultural landscape—a place where international touring acts meet local creativity under one roof.
With advanced acoustics, 360-degree sound, and a full calendar of international and local acts, Tides seeks to redefine Hong Kong’s live music scene from the heart of Kowloon.