Cui Jian headlined this sophomore music Festival in Kunming.
Words and pictures Hugh Bohane.
Thanks to the organizers at ShowMy Media Group for the invitation to cover the event.
Held inside the tranquil World Horticultural Expo Garden in Kunming’s northeast (about a 20 minute bus-ride from the city center), about 10 thousand punters poured in over the two days to enjoy a smorgasbord of some of China’s best bands alongside select Western artists, all bringing the sacred sound.
The Festival, now in its second year, was headlined by festival ever-present Cui Jian, Yunnan’s very own Shan Ren and the Mandopop star Tan Weiwei. The two days saw diverse and exciting performances, predominately from China’s south-west. This year it was a rock-heavy line-up, with the exception of some great electronica, hip-hop, beat-boxing and African drumming on the smaller stages. The artists performed between 5:30pm and 12:30am both nights. Tickets were priced at 120RMB for a one-day pass and 180RMB for a two-day pass.
The weather gods were kind in the end, despite threatening rain on the first day. Logistics ran pretty smoothly while the gardens are beautiful at this time of year, bursting with perfectly manicured and colorful swathes of the flowers that Yunnan is renowned for, popping up all along the paths to the three stages. To an outsider, it looked as though Edward Scissorhands had paid a visit to the garden: there were a number of animal figures shaped and scissored out of the flower-beds.
Between main stage and the two smaller ones, there were some small stalls selling art, souvenirs, food, 10 RMB beers and 20 RMB Absinthem and the Absinthe bar became the last night-cap stop for many of the crowd and the artists at the end of both nights. The main sponsors for this year’s Festival were Budweiser and Mercedes-Benz.
There wasn’t enough security on the first night, when some of the crowd flowed into the press pit, but by the second day security had gained control again. (One memorable fan on the first night slipped through the line of security, to chant and cheer with his bull-horn!)
Kunming-based bands who shone at the Festival were Polymath, Sigangli (an ethnic Wa minority band that I’m sure Peter Gabriel could consider signing to his Real World label), Li Siwei and Band (who mix Miles Davis-esque trumpet with Sonic Youth-esque guitar feedback.) The Great Apes and Sea-Loving Mammals, whose members consist entirely of Westerners, both gave lots of great energy and really rocked their sets.
Expat DJ’s Xiao Kris and Koshaa played their parts well in keeping the crowd dancing at all times at the Budweiser and Mercedes stages. MC Latino’s crew of beat-boxers and models kept the crowd enthralled. Yankadi, an African drumming circle of both Chinese and Westerners, got the crowd partying hard.
Xie Tianxiao and Cold Blooded Animals played a special rocking guzheng and guitar set that whipped the people into a frenzy, definitely a Festival highlight, while Kaixuan stunned everyone, especially when they heard the deadly heavy-metal voice of their petite female lead singer.
Despite a few sound problems (which were no fault of their own), Shan Ren and Cui Jian still reminded everyone why they were the headliners. Cui Jian gave encores to his many fans. Shan Ren brought their dance-rock straight to the crowd. One member, in the spirit, bounced down from the stage to jam in front of the front section and bang his bells. A magic moment.
By all accounts the Festival was successful and future events are being planned.
Here is a link to the Festival’s official website:
http://www.zuiaiwang.com/500km/
For a full list of the schedule, click here: http://www.echinacities.com/kunming/city-in-pulse/cui-jian-to-headline-500-km-city-music-festival-in-kunming.html
To view Hugh’s photo’s of the Festival click here:
http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/30636