Justin Sweeting is the director of music at Magnetic Asia, the company behind Clockenflap, Hong Kong’s annual music and arts festival.
Click here to see Justin Sweeting on video
How did Clockenflap come about?
It’s basically an arts festival that is held every year, a celebration of both art and culture. It showcases some wonderful music and art to likeminded people across Hong Kong. It came about because there really wasn’t anything of this sort in Hong Kong back when we launched it in 2008. We felt that such a stylish and cosmopolitan city needed something like this, so it was very much designed with Hong Kong in mind. It’s very rooted in the local culture. It is not centred on any specific artist or band, but is home to a truly eclectic mix, with the aim of taking the audience on a journey of discovery. The festival has grown from 1,500 people to about 60,000 last year. We are not trying to be a mega festival and we’re quite comfortable with its current scale.
We are, however, looking at expanding across the greater Asian region. Last year, for instance, we launched Neon Lights, a sister event in Singapore. Overall, I’d say our success isn’t really attributable to any one particular thing, but rather the coming together of many elements at the same time. We seem to have hit on the right formula, one that truly resonated with the Hong Kong audience. As a result, we are now planning to stage more events throughout the course of the year.
We’ve found that many of the artists we’ve invited are usually keen to reappear, while we’re also now on the radar of many of the agencies and managers of specific artists and bands. Artists also introduce us to other artists, so people are now approaching us rather than the other way around. It’s a nice position to be in. Over the years, we’ve featured Niall Rogers, New Order, Cool and the Gang, Rat-a-Tat, the Earth Wind and Fire Experience, Franz Ferdinand, Flaming Lips and Churches, to name but a few. We’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to develop this idea.
Is there a TV show you particularly dislike?
I don’t watch much TV, so I feel there’s no time for bad TV, especially as there is so much good quality content around. When I do watch the TV, it often involves binging on box sets. In principle, the continual rise of reality TV is something that has not benefitted the industry. If people like to watch it, though, well good for them.
What would be your ideal Saturday?
I have a young family, so weekends are particularly precious to me. My eldest daughter has just turned five, so, of a Saturday, we often go out for a hike or to somewhere like Ocean Park. I’ll probably spend the morning with her. I also have two-year old twins, so that means I have to be very aware of everything that’s going on. All the clichés are completely true, though – it’s the best thing in the world. When they were born, my happiness meter went up to levels that I didn’t know I had. It is hard work, but also so very, very rewarding too.
When was the last time you got lost?
I honestly can’t really remember. I call my wife “The GPS” because she has a great sense of direction. She has a sort of natural instinct for directions and so always keeps me on course.
Sunrises or sunsets?
While they are both glorious, I am definitely a morning person, so have to choose sunrises. They seem like one of those secret things that only the old and the birds know about. I am a big fan of getting up early and getting a good start on the day. I like to go to bed early and rise early, but the nature of my work means I am often out a lot later than I’d prefer. Left to my own devices, I’d be in bed really early. We are very lucky as we live on Discovery Bay and thus get to see the sunrise every morning. Some of them are truly fabulous.
When was the last time you were sick?
I am very lucky and rarely get sick, often to the point of frustration for the people around me. I suppose growing up on street food and soup in Hong Kong gave me a strong immune system. I was born and raised here. I really can’t remember the last time I went to the doctor. It has probably been a few years ago by now.
What was the last movie that you saw?
I don’t see that many movies these days, largely because I have really young kids. I do sometimes watch movies with my daughter, but that’ll be something like The Chipmonks or Minions. The last one I saw, I think, was the latest Star Wars movie which I watched with friends. That was one I really wanted to go and see as I’m a big Star Wars fan, though I did have mixed feelings about it afterwards. While the look and feel was incredible, there was too much repetition of the original story, while the nostalgia elements were also a little overdone.
What is your favourite drink?
I am quite getting into gin and tonic and have started collecting gins from around the world. My parents-in-law are currently in town visiting and they knew that the one thing guaranteed to make me happy was bringing a bottle of Barr Hill gin from Vermont.
Did you enjoy your school days?
I look back on primary school as a very happy time – I went to a local Chinese kindergarten. I then went to Gleanely and later Island School, both part of the English Schools Foundation. I looked at it as though I was in a building with my best friends in the world, every day, a chance to both hang out and learn. I wouldn’t swap my growing up years for anything. While I wasn’t an exceptional student, I enjoyed the time I spent with my friends in such a safe and comfortable environment. Overall, our education was excellent, with evaluation of the school showing that it was at least as good as the top one percent of schools in the UK.
What’s your favourite sport?
My two great loves are music and football. I have played football all my life and I find it important for keeping my spirits up. It’s a bit like music as it makes me feel a little Zen, while also helping me to relax. It’s also a great way to spend time with people and unwind. I haven’t been able to play recently, though, because of a knee injury.
Are you a good listener or good talker?
I would definitely call myself a good listener. I think I’ve always been more of an observer. It’s a great honour when people let you into their lives, so I feel it’s only courteous to pay attention and listen to what they have to say.
What’s your preference – the radio or an MP3 player?
I am a big fan of the radio, though I don’t listen to it much here, except for a few of the online stations. I don’t use an MP3 player much either now. I normally stream music. I think that’s the way forward – streaming is clearly the future as a delivery mechanism. I don’t think the numbers are quite there yet, though, in terms of the amount of money that artists are making from it.
What’s your take on the death penalty?
I don’t believe it necessarily rights any wrong and is actually quite a dangerous way of dealing with any transgression. It also doesn’t seem to be much of a deterrent these days.
What keeps you awake at night?
The inherent responsibility for your children is immense. I know I will probably never “not worry” about them ever again. I will always worry about them, mostly about their safety and well being. While many things are out of your control, I just want to do my utmost to ensure they’re safe. Right now, they are very young, so I always know exactly where they are. When they grow up and leave the nest, I am sure I will worry even more. It a journey that I will have to go on with them. I find that I can deal with work-related problems far more easily than anything that concerns my family.
Chopsticks or cutlery?
I feel fine with both. It really depends on what style of cuisine I am eating. I suppose I use western cutlery more often. Even if I am eating rice at home I tend to gravitate to a fork.
Where did you propose to your wife?
It was in Repulse Bay in exactly the same place where we spent our first meaningful time together. When we first met, we had a very romantic evening and ended up in Repulse Bay, talking into the early hours. I know it sounds cheesy, but I knew then that I wanted to marry this person. We had been together for many, many years, so when it came time to propose I knew that this particular setting would be perfect.
Who is your favourite film star?
Tom Hanks. He’s played such a wide range of roles and his quality control is so high. The scripts and roles that he chooses are always well thought out and right for him and he always delivers.
What is your astrological sign?
I am a Sagittarius – December. I am also a fire dragon in the Chinese zodiac system. I think that I am quite a typical Sagittarian.
If you could have any other job in the world, what would it be?
A professional football player.
What was the last thing you got free?
I get given clothing quite often by companies as promotional items. I got some shoes the other day.
What is your favourite book?
There are many. My dad instilled in me the value of reading. One that comes to mind is a non-fiction work – An Intimate History of Humanity by Theodore Zeldin. While it’s not necessarily my favourite book, it is one that I find myself going back to time and time again.
Thank You