This year, the festival kicks off at EartH Hackney with a sensational triple-bill lineup, bringing together shamanic folk-pop, legendary indie-rock groove, and avant-garde hip-hop all on one stage.
To make this launch night even more unforgettable, the evening will also feature exclusive collaboration moments, blurring the lines between genres for a unique live experience you won’t see anywhere else.
ADG7 (Ak Dan Gwang Chil)
ADG7 will ignite the stage with Let’s Dance!, a thrilling performance inspired by the title track of their 2025 EP. Fusing Korean traditional music with bold contemporary sounds, the eight-member ensemble transforms shamanic rituals and folk traditions from the Hwanghaedo region into an electrifying stage experience.
Since their acclaimed international debut at WOMEX and GlobalFEST in 2019, and their show-stopping appearance at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival, ADG7 has captivated audiences worldwide. Filled with pulsating percussion, soaring flute and zither melodies, deep funk grooves, and irresistible singalong moments, they deliver a high-voltage performance that invites audiences to surrender to the joy of the moment.
As WFMU wrote: “There’s a flowering folk-roots revival in South Korea — but no band combines virtuosity, charisma, and pure energy like Ak Dan Gwang Chil.”
This performance at EartH Hackney marks the opening night of ADG7’s new European tour, launching an electrifying journey across Stockholm, Paris, and Madrid.
Lineup: Hyunsoo Kim, Daegeum | Hyanghee Lee Piri, Saenghwang, Taepyeongso | Yoojin Lee, Vocals | Jisoo Park, Vocals | Hyunjun Chun, Percussion | Jinyoung Sunwoo, Percussion | Meondongmaru Weon, Gayageum | Donghun Kim, Ajaeng
Chang Kiha
Joining the celebration is Chang Kiha, one of the most influential and distinctive voices in contemporary Korean music. Bursting onto the scene in 2008 with the breakout hit Cheap Coffee as the frontman of Chang Kiha & The Faces, he played a defining role in shaping Korean indie music for an entire generation.
Now operating as a solo powerhouse, Chang Kiha is celebrated for his wry, surreal lyricism and his signature, boundary-pushing “spoken-word” vocal style that grooves unlike anything else. His deadpan charisma and infectious rhythms will have the entire crowd moving.
Following the release of his highly anticipated first full-length solo album in September 2026, Chang Kiha takes the stage at K-Music Festival with a brand-new live set. Audiences can expect infectious grooves, playful wit, and the magnetic stage presence that has made him one of Korea’s most compelling live performers.
Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA
The revolutionary sibling hip-hop duo Lil Cherry and GOLDBUUDA are set to bring the ultimate futuristic heat. Known for their avant-garde flows, surreal lyricism, and massive global hits such as ALL-BUT-DIED, they have completely redefined the boundaries of Korean rap.
Following their successful UK debut at SXSW London earlier this year, the unstoppable brother-sister duo returns to London armed with their blistering new single DRESS2KILL.
Lil Cherry seamlessly blurs the lines of hip-hop, pop, and electronica to build a bold, unpredictable musical universe. Meanwhile, GOLDBUUDA—an award-winning rapper, producer, and founder of 1UP Label—masterfully fuses ’90s Miami bass and crunk with cutting-edge trap, a signature sound he calls BUUDA KRUNK.
Together, their high-octane performance will push the night into overdrive.
Complete with special collaborative highlights woven throughout the evening, this is a multi-sensory experience not to be missed.