The Pigeons & Planes Stage is where Asia’s next sound takes flight in Hong Kong

In the world of contemporary culture assemblies, ComplexCon has become a name that instantly signals scale, relevance, and diversity. Since its inception, the event has brought together music, art, fashion, lifestyle, tech, and community in one immersive weekend. What began as a U.S.-based festival has expanded globally, and Hong Kong now stands as one of its most consequential international stops.

ComplexCon Hong Kong can be said to be a live snapshot of where global youth culture is at any given moment, and has become a cultural checkpoint for Asia. It’s where international headliners share space with local disruptors; a curated experience designed to reflect the local scene while amplifying global creative currents.

When it comes to programming, attendees are sure to encounter deep-dive conversations, engaging panels, a sprawling marketplace, engaging hands-on workshops, and more.

They’ll also expect to cross paths with designers from across Asia, independent labels, artists, DJs, and collectives who reflect the region’s evolving creative voice.

Hong Kong has long functioned as a cultural hinge between East and West. In addition to a fashion scene that’s hybrid by nature, the music community moves fluidly between Cantonese pop, underground hip hop, electronic collectives, and global collaborations. ComplexCon taps into that hybridity rather than flattening it.

Among the many facets of ComplexCon Hong Kong is a platform that deserves its own spotlight: the Pigeons & Planes Stage. At first glance, it may look like another programmed line-up, but its roots run deep within the DNA of music discovery and culture building.

In 2008, Pigeons & Planes started as one of the internet’s most influential platforms for discovering new music. Since its launch as a music blog in late 2008, it has been shaped by an ethos of listening first and foremost, giving emerging artists their earliest audiences and context.

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Fast-forward to 2011, where an acquisition by Complex allowed its discovery-led ethos to be embedded into a wider cultural network. Even as music culture shifted toward algorithm-led discovery, Pigeons & Planes stood out as a curator-led space valuing curiosity, diversity, and the art of surfacing voices.

Over the years, the platform has spotlighted artists who not only ended up breaking out but also blew up in the music scene. Think Yeat, PinkPantheress, and Doechii, all of whom were featured on its 22 Rising Artists to Watch in 2022 list before their names were everywhere.

The list launched in 2021 and wasted no time proving its radar was real, counting Arlo Parks among its early picks. By 2023, it was championing cult favourite Ethel Cain, Fred again.. (who’s now making serious noise in the dance music scene with his near-unthinkable collaborations) and Grammy-nominated group Wet Leg.

And the streak hasn’t slowed. Lola Young won her first Grammy this year, but Pigeons & Planes had already tipped her on its 2024 list. All this alone tells you what you need to know: when Pigeons & Planes highlights an artist, it’s worth paying attention.

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Another milestone worth mentioning would be its ‘See You Next Year’ compilation, which debuted in 2022 and boasts Mike Dean as Executive Producer. The second edition arrived in 2024, recorded over an intense eight-day stretch at Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La Studio.

At its core, ‘See You Next Year’ functions as both a celebration and a showcase, bringing together a number of the platform’s favourite artists to contribute entirely new material.

After its standalone website went offline in 2019, Pigeons & Planes re-emerged in 2026 with a clear message: the site is back, and so is the commitment to long-form interviews, deep dives, and artist-first storytelling.

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The name has always carried a built-in metaphor. In music terms, pigeons are viewed as the emerging artists building loyal followings in smaller rooms and online communities. Planes, on the other hand, are the mainstream acts, the festival headliners, the ones with global reach.

Therefore, Pigeons & Planes exists to hold both in view and in equal importance.

That dual lens makes particular sense in Hong Kong. On the dedicated stage at ComplexCon, you’ll find rising talent and regional connectors who are shaping scenes from the inside out.

Each name on the line-up reflects a different slice of the region’s creative ecosystem. The selections aren’t random; they map a network of sound, influence, and community.

Here’s who you’ll encounter taking over the Pigeons & Planes stage at ComplexCon Hong Kong.

Peakboy
A Korean singer-songwriter and producer known for warm, minimalist R&B grooves with hints of indie pop, Peakboy brings a nuanced sound that feels both intimate and contemporary.

REDDY
Fusing melodic rap with R&B, pop, and trap into a sleek, emotionally-charged sound, Reddy comes complete with a high-energy performance that’s bound to be an exciting watch.

ATM HANSON
Representing the self-directed evolution of Asian hip hop, the independent artist is known for sharp production choices and collaborations that stretch across China.

Yeti Out
A Hong Kong-based collective that’s built a reputation for connecting cities and communities through parties, collaborations, and cross-border energy; an example of how cultural influence is carried by networks rather than gatekeepers.

THE JAYNE
The model-slash-selector who translates her background in fashion into groove-heavy DJ sets, representing a new type of creative identity that fluidly navigates multiple cultural domains.

DJ CELL
Known to many as the connector, he’s someone who understands both the crowd and the culture surrounding it, with a presence at top-tier clubs worldwide and major fashion brand parties.

DJ TOMMY
Get ready for a set that bridges classic hip-hop instincts with global club sensibilities such as retro, Canto-pop, J-pop, K-pop, funk, soul, plus Top 40 hits from the three-time DMC Hong Kong champ.

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At an event as packed yet carefully curated as ComplexCon Hong Kong, the Pigeons & Planes stage has a clear purpose: spotlighting the artists shaping tomorrow’s music narrative.

It’s a reminder to attendees (and the industry at large) that culture is always evolving, and that some of the most exciting ideas often begin far from the spotlight of the main stage.

Mixmag Asia will also be part of the event with our Mixmag Asia Creative Hub, in partnership with Jägermeister and Nothing, offering interactive audio experiences and bespoke cocktails.

ComplexCon Hong Kong takes place at AsiaWorld-Expo on March 21-22, 2026; secure your passes here.