Two years ago, an author from Vice magazine wrote a four page article titled “China has festivals too.” Compelled to provide evidence that music festivals really do exist in China, the author visited the Zebra Music Festival and seemed surprised that China not only has a thriving music scene but more than one decent domestic band to boot. Two years on and his “findings” are a no brainer. In fact, China has more festivals than the average person can even fathom. This year alone, there have been over 100 festivals across the country and a fresh new onslaught is about to hit a city near you this October holiday. Here’s our list of 2013 music festivals in China in October (and we’ve also included a couple taking place in late September for good measure).
Shanghai
Beijing
Shenzhen
Zhuhai
Changchun
Chengdu
Nanning
Kunming
Shijiazhuang
Xi’an
1) 2013 JZ Festival
This year’s JZ Festival will be held at Shanghai Expo Park from September 21-22 and there’s an exciting line-up to look forward to. Yassin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) is scheduled to perform together with Robert Glasper Experiment. Bey seems to create buzz each year: earlier in 2013 he shocked people with a video in which he was voluntarily force fed like the prisoners in Guantanamo. Last year he disappointed the expat community in China when he cancelled his performance at Midi. Let’s hope all goes to plan this time!
Other acts on the line-up include The Brand New Heavies, Omar Sosa, Wouter Hamel, Meddy Gerville, Klandbezirk, The Red Groove Project, Song for Arlene, The Word and many more.
When: Sep 21-22, 13:00-21:30
Where: Expo Park, Pudong New District, Shanghai
上海 浦东新区世博公园西门
Price: 200 RMB/-pre-sale; 250 RMB/door
Tickets: www.ticket2010.com
Tel: 021 6431 1075
Website: www.jzfestival.com
2) 2013 Changjiang Midi Music Festival
Over the years Midi has learnt to spread its wings and relocate pastures further from its native Beijing. This year’s Changjiang version takes place from October 2-4 at Sanjiagang Beach in Shanghai. There’ll be nine stages and over 200 acts, making this one of the biggest festivals of the year (provided half the bands don’t suddenly pull the plug). Pretty much every Chinese band that’s not signed to Modern Sky are performing including Carsick Cars, Top Floor Circus, Brain Failure, Subs, Miserbale Faith, Twisted Machine, Queen Sea Big Shark, Reflector and Omnipotent Youth Society. If you need a lesson in Chinese rock, this is one class you need to attend.
When: Oct 2-4, 12:00
Where: Sanjiagang Beach, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
上海市浦东新区三甲港海滩
How much: 100 RMB (pre-sale); 120 RMB (door)
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_53508.html
Getting there: take the Sanchuan bus line to Sanjiagang Haibinguangchang stop
3) The First East Asia Shoegaze Festival
Shoegaze is a sub-genre of alternative rock that was founded in England in the late 80s and gets its name from the motionless and downward-looking performance style of its practitioners. Typified by significant use of guitar effects, and indistinguishable vocal melodies that blend into the creative noise of the guitars, the most well known shoegaze bands include My Bloody Valentine, The Horrors and Slow Dive.
The Shoegaze festival in Shanghai will feature performances by Xiamen noise-pop band The White Tulips, Beijing’s Skip Skip Ben Ben, Taiwanese rock chick group Fuguko, Korean post-rock band Vidulgi OoyoO, Shanghai band Forsaken Autumn, and Japanese act Oeil.
When: Oct 5, 18:30
Where: On Stage Livehouse, 570 Huaihai Xilu, Changning District, Shanghai
上海市长宁区淮海西路570弄A2,On Stage Livehouse
How much: 120 RMB (pre-sale); 150 RMB (door)
Website: http://t.cn/zQEng6z
Getting there: take line 4 or 10 to Changhongqiao station
1) 2013 Canal Kirin Music Festival
Held from October 1-3, 2013, the Canal Kirin International Music Festival will feature six stages and host dozens of top domestic and international acts. The “Godfather of Chinese rock” Cui Jian is scheduled to perform as are Shanren, Lao Lang, Zheng Jun, Miserable Faith, Erguna Band and more.
When: Oct 1-3, 13:00
Where: Tongzhou Canal Park, Tonghu Dajie, Tongzhou District, Beijing
北京市通州区同胡大街通州运河公园
How much: 120 RMB/person (pre-sale), 150 RMB/person (at door); 300 RMB/3 day pass (pre-sale), 400 RMB/3 day pass (at door)
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54350.html
Getting there: take bus No. 342,648, 667, 804, 808, ‘通12’ or ‘通19’ to Dongguan Daqiao stop
2) Beijing TingDong Music Festival
The Beijing TingDong Mid-Autumn Music Festival will feature US Hip Hop act Far East Movement as the headlining act. Besides Far East Movement – who you probably recognize from the song “Like a G6” – there’ll also be performances by Dutch trance DJ Dash Berlin and Dutch progressive and electro house DJ, DJ Hardwell.
When: Sep 19, 12:00-22:00
Where: Worker’s Stadium, Gongren Tiyuchang Beilu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区工人体育场北路，工人体育场
How much: 450 RMB/early bird; 550 RMB/pre-sale; 650 RMB/at door; 650 RMB/early bird VIP; 750 RMB/pre-sale VIP; 850 RMB/VIP door ticket
Tickets: sendmetickets.com
1) Zebra Music Festival
Held from October 1-3, the three-day event features a selection of acts from the Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the US including Escape Plan, My Little Airport, Fang Datong, Daniel Hart (US), Arms and Legs (US) and more.
When: Oct 1-3, 15:00
Where: Bike racing track, Longgang Sports Center, 1 Saichang Lu, Longgang District, Shenzhen
深圳市龙岗区赛场路1号，龙岗体育中心自行车赛场
How much: 100 RMB/day, pre-sale; 120 RMB/day, at door
Tickets: http://www.mosh.cn/events/283496
Getting there: take bus no. 802 to Guoji Zixingche Saichang (国际自行车赛场) stop
Zhuhai hasn’t been left off the list. From October 3-4, the 2013 International Beach Music Festival unleashes its musical thunder of local folks. The line-up includes Sham69 (UK), Sacromorted (Russia), Chat (France), Steely Heart, Queen Sea Big Shark, The Muff, The Belief, Dark Secret, Omnipotent Youth Society, Zheng Jun and more.
When: Oct 304, 17:00
Where: Haibin Beach, Qinglü Zhong Lu, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai
珠海市香洲区情侣中路，海滨泳场沙滩
How much: 120 RMB (pre-sale, rock zone), 150 RMB (door); 80 RMB (pre-sale, ordinary zone), 100 RMB (door)
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54122.html
Getting there: take bus No.9 or 99 to Haibin Yongchang stop
1) 2013 Changchun Strawberry Music Festival
The 2013 Changchun Strawberry Music Festival rolls into town from September 20-21. Swap your mooncakes for a can of beer and a dose of rock n’ roll, provided by such top domestic acts as Xie Tianxiao (a.k.a. “the new godfather of rock n’ roll), Hedgehog (a.k.a. the band with the kick ass female drummer), Re-Tros (a.k.a. China’s answer to Joy Division or Bauhaus), Second Hand Rose and Soda Green to name but a few.
When: Sep 20-21, 12:30
Where: Yifeng Square, Beihu National Wetland Park, Kuancheng District, Changchun
长春市宽城区北湖国家湿地公园艺风广场
Price: 120 RMB (pre-sale), 150 RMB (door)
Tickets: Official ticket outlets TBA
Getting there: take bus No.372 to Panjiadian station
1) 2013 AMC Live Rock on Music Festival
Held at the 198 Poly Park, the festival’s line-up favors some of China’s longest established rock bands and acts such as Black Panther that’s been around since 1987 and performed alongside Cui Jian; Tang Dynasty that’s been rocking the Mainland since 1988 and Yip Sai Wing who was the drummer of legendary Hong Kong rock band Beyond.The festival also caters to fans of Canto-pop with Hebe Tian of the hugely famous girl-band S.H.E. making an appearance as well as Hong Kong singer G.E.M. among others.
When: Oct 1-3, 11:00
Where: 198 Poly Park, 1980 Shulong Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu
成都市新都区蜀龙大道1980号，保利198公园
Price: 100 RMB/day (pre-sale), 260 RMB/3 day (pre-sale); 130 RMB/day (door), 298 RMB/3 day (door)
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54133.html
Getting there: take bus No.60, 110, 198a, 198, 665, 867 to 198 Poly Park (保利198公园)
1) 2013 Greenfield Music Festival
From October 1-2, the 2013 Greenfield Music Festival takes over the Lining Sports Park, promising two days of rock n’ roll by some of China’s top acts. Headliners include Black Panther, Twisted Machine, Soda Green, Tang Dynasty, Second Hand Rose, Song Dongye, Reflector and Mr. Turtle among others.
When: Oct 1-2, 12:00
Where: Lining Sports Park, 13 Lingnan Lu, Qingxiu District, Nanning
南宁市青秀区凤岭南路13号，李宁体育园
How much: 120 RMB/day; 220 RMB/2 day pass
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54360.html
Getting there: take bus No.97 to Lining Tiyuyuan stop
1) 2013 Kunming Greenfest
The Kunming Expo Park will be converted into a lively festival ground on September 28 and 29. With 22 domestic acts slated to perform on two stages, as well as a creative market and street performers, expect a chilled out weekend with good vibes and music. Performing at this year’s festival are Yunnan’s very own Shanren, Pengtan, Escape Plan, Mr. Turtle, Wild Children, AK47, the Life Journey and many more.
When: Sep 28-29, 17:00
Where: Kunming Expo Park, 10 Shibo Lu, Panlong District, Kunming
昆明市盘龙区世博路10号，昆明世博园
Price: 100 RMB/day (pre-sale), 160 RMB/2 days (pre-sale); 120 RMB/day (door)
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54111.html
Getting there: take bus No. 47, 69, 71, 182, 194, 204, 235, 904, 905, a1, c136, k18, l1to Shiyuan stop (博园站)
1) 1st Starlight International Music Festival
A new festival hits up Shijiazhuang this October: the 1st Starlight International Music Festival. Promising 40 bands and 160 performers, the headlining acts include Xie Tianxiao, Hao Yun, Second Hand Rose, Omnipotent Youth Society, Reflector, Re-Tros and more.
When: Oct 1-3, 14:00
Where: Hebei Provincial Garden Expo Square
石家庄市正定新区正无路，河北省园博园广场
How much: 120 RMB/day, 300 RMB/3-day pass
Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_55512.html
Getting there: bus No.132 or 177 to Yuanboyuan stop
1) 2013 Xi’an Rayfeast
A three day festival focusing on a different musical genre each day, Rayfeast promises to cater to a wide range of tastes. Highlights include Longshendao, Top Floor Circus, Subs, Sham69, Brain Failure and Total Chaos.
When: Sep 19-21, 2013
Where: Lianhu Park, 58 Lianhu Lu, Lianhu District, Xi’an
西安市莲湖区莲湖路58号，莲湖公园
How much: 120 RMB/pre-sale, 150 RMB/door; 300RMB/3-day pass
Website: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_54363.html
Getting there: take subway line 2 to Beidajie station
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Keywords: 2013 music festivals in China in October 2013 China music festivals
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