Wild and free Chinese music festivals boom
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Outdoor music festivals are all the rage in China this year, with more than 30 scheduled across the country, almost double the number from last year. This month and next sees nine music festivals get underway, all hoping to take advantage of perfect fall weather conditions and national holidays.
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Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. |
Zhang Fan, founder of Midi Music Festival told the Global Times that local governments are now open to staging music festivals to help promote their cities. He said that InMusic Festival is good promotion for Zhangbei and Xihu Music Festival for Hangzhou. More importantly, there are possible profits to be made.
"Not all music festivals are making money, but it is getting profitable, people smell the money, therefore there are more and more festivals," said Guo Zhigai, music event promoter and critic.
Modern Sky, Beijing
Now in its forth year, Modern Sky Festival will take place from October 2-4 at Haidian Park in Beijing. Continuing its reputation for a sound local and interna-tional lineup, the festival will boast four stages with 78 performers and bands.
Brett Anderson from Suede, Blonde Redhead from the US and Big Pink from Britain are all scheduled to play. "Brett Anderson will sing the classic hits of Suede, it will be a moment to remember for Chinese fans," said Ding Taisheng, organizer of the festival. Chinese mainland acts include rockers Xie Tianxiao, New Pants, Queen Sea Big Shark. Indie singers Joanna Wang and Zhang Xuan from Taiwan are also on the bill.
Fans of 80s and 90s Chinese rock will be happy to see the reunions of Youdaoshe, Mr Zhou and Hang On the Box. "Several bands chose the festival to continue their music, we feel honored to have them," Shen said.
