Hypefest Aranya Brought Together the Community To Celebrate Culture

Hypebeast connected its community and audience in China with the inaugural Hypefest Aranya in Qinhuangdao, China.

The famous coastal line was packed with over 15,000 people during the two-day event on September 23 and September 24, and showcased a diverse range of regional and international cultural happenings. Following Hypefest’s success in Brooklyn in 2018, Hypefest Aranya introduced an impeccable lineup that included hip-hop, R&B and pop acts. Headliners Jackson Wang, Swae Lee, Aminé, Cordae and MC Jin were supported by the likes of Lexie Liu, Vinida, Gali, Thomeboydontkill, Karencici, Caelan, Dough-Boy and Charity SSB on the main stage, which was curated by adidas Originals with its iconic giant Superstar and interactive activities like a photobooth and DIY tattoo space. The second stage maintained the festival’s high energy with DJs from Preme, Pulse and Yeti Out, including Thaiboy Digital, Na$ty, Silkboi, Guz, Cika Koo, DJ Cell, Kinj, N.O.L.Y, Tom and Arthur Yeti, Badaam, Fergus and Tedman Lee.

Hennessy exclusively provided cognac for the festival and invited guests to experience the V.S.O.P X TEAM WANG Design pop-up space, which highlighted the Hennessy V.S.O.P limited edition by TEAM WANG Design and a beverage truck. Saucony Originals also launched its latest 2K Cavalry sneakers at the “House of Saucony” pop-up space, while Penfolds and creative partner NIGO curated a “One by Penfolds” beach resting area that showcased four animal motifs that represented the four winemaking regions where One by Penfolds wines are sourced — a crocodile for Australia, rooster for France, Panda for China and bear for America.

Beyond the festival grounds, visitors were greeted by installations and experiential pop-up stores all over Aranya. Marshall took over the Breeze Bar with a special rock rock-and-roll themed double-deck bus and telephone booth, a vintage marketplace and British delicacies, while on-site DJs played hip-hop’s best. In support of emerging artists and the local music scene, Marshall also hosted a secret party at 1023 Club on September 23 with hip-hop artists Jiu Wei and Xia Zhiyu. Over at the Aranya Skatepark, Vans and professional skateboarder Jeremy Hu advocated for China’s best skateboarders and creative minds by bringing “The Vans Showdown” to the country for the very first time — furthering their support for skate shops and communities. The Lotus Bar was transformed by Saucony Originals into a café with DIY workshops, a Y2K photo booth, a merry-go-round installation as well as hosted “A Conversation With” panel discussions. Brands such as GAP, Hoegaarden with artist OYOW and Randomevent also revamped key places in the city such as Aranya’s library for the “GAP-LERRY” creative, the theatre complex for the Unwind Corner with DJ Tom Yeti and Arthur Yeti and the Xerox printing shop for the debut of the “Printing House” capsule collection with Actual Source.

Check out the recap of Hypefest Aranya above.