Who remembers when there were like, 4-6 notable annual music events in China? The first gen of music festivals are still fairing well, but they are reaching that critical mid-age hump. This is evidenced in the fact Midi spun off an electronic music festival with help from the people at The Mansion. Age challenges identity: you have to readapt to new audiences, or invest in something new (this isn’t relationship advice). There’s an in-depth piece on festival identities here – it’s a little ‘brandy’ but expands greatly on this theme.
Many of us working in live music are aware of the incredible number of new things happening about town, but it wasn’t until an article via Li Yue for Live (李乐为现场) came out that we were able to get a comprehensive picture of what exactly is going down.
The article begins with an overview of the international artists that have / are set to play China and Hong Kong. These include:
Arch Enemy (GuitarChina x XoundForce), Behemoth (GuitarChina x XoundForce), Blur (Midas Promotions), Bobby McFerrin, Bon Jovi (AEG Live), Deadmau5 (Top 100 DJ / Cool DJ Agency), Ed Sheeran (AEG Live), Imagine Dragons (Live Nation), Katy Perry (AEG Live), Linkin Park (Live Nation), Lisa Gerrard (Split Works), LOW (OR Live), Megadeth (GuitarChina), MIKA (Split Works), Muse (AEG Live), Pitbull (A2 Live), Scorpions (Chang Jiang Music Festival), Swans (Split Works, Taylor Swift (AEG Live) and more.
Then we’re treated to a pretty comprehensive rundown of the 34 festivals which have / are going to take place this year.
Average Pricing:
Door 1 day 212RMB
Door Multi day 602RMB
Presale 1 day 153RMB
Presale Multi Day 313RMB
*Excluding TBC events Bougainvillea Music Festival, Spring Wave Music and Art Festival, Changjiang Midi Music Festival, MOMA Music Festival (Wuhan), Beach Music Festival, Shanghai Simple Life, Strawberry Music Festival (Mianyang), Strawberry Music Festival (Chongqing) and Clockenflap.
There was a fair amount of variation, with some events (such as Storm) disproportionately bumping up the average price. But as a series of ballpark figures, they should give an idea of where we stand.
Things to Note:
- Tree Music has obviously received some serious investment, as it is rolling out its new MOMA Festival to 4 cities – ambitious indeed, considering it is doing very little to differentiate itself from existing festivals with respect to lineup.
- Shanghai has a glut of festivals – too many, we would argue.
- China now has its first cruise festival. In the vein of Singapore’s It’s a Ship and the classic US Holy Ship!, Hormone Festival is (rather unsubtly) suggesting that it will offer a few days of sun, sex and EDM on a cruise liner to the tax haven of Jeju Island, near Korea. Visa runs anyone?
- EDM is definitely on the rise.
We will now provide an English translation of the original article, with lineup highlights of each event.
1 TAIYUAN UP MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.7.31 – 8.2
LOCATION:Taiyuan Lvdi Shanding Golf field
PRICE:
(Presale)¥120 /(Presale) 3 day ticket ¥300
(Door) ¥150 /(Door) 3 ticket ¥350
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
7.31: Twinkle Star, N.B.D, KillerSoap
8.1: MEGA SOUL, Island Mood, Chang Csun Yuk
8.2: AV Okubo, Last Train, Hao Yun
2 SUMMER BLAZE MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.8.1 6pm-12pm
LOCATION:Backstreet Gallery Beijing Dongcheng District, 14th Laoshan hutongs
PRICE:60(door)/50(presale)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Deadly Cradle Death, Cassette, Gate to Otherside, Death Narcissists, The Twenties, Jajatone
3 SILK ROAD GREAT WALL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CULTURE FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.8.1 – 8.2
LOCATION:Jiayuguan City, Gansu, China Peacock Garden
PRICE:¥118
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Qin Yong, Mian Kong, Miss Mix
4 LUNGTA MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.08.01-08.02
LOCATION:Qinghai Lake Gold Silver Beach of Jade tribe
PRICE:Presale¥150/Door¥180;2 Day Ticket: Presale¥270/Door¥300
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Xu Wei, Buyi, Catcher In The Rye, Zheng Jun
5 RIZHAO OCEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.8.7-9
LOCATION:Rizhao Olympic Water Park
PRICE:
1 Day Ticket:50(Presale)/60(Door)
3 Day Ticket:120(Presale)/150(Door)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Deep Throat, Wan Xiaoli, BLOODYWOODS, Summersunshine, Zhang WeiWei, Miserable Faith
6 SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.8.8/9
LOCATION:Dali Vista
PRICE:¥180 /¥300(2 Day)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Huan Qing, Varihnaz, Xiao He, Zhou Yunpeng, WuTiaoRen
7 MOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL BEIDAIHE
TIME:2015.8.14/15
LOCATION:Beidaihe District Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province
PRICE:
Presale ¥100/Presale¥160(2 Day)
Door ¥160/ Price¥240(2 Day)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Xie Tianxiao, AK47, Mademoiselle, Elenore, Wild Children
8 COLORFUL MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.8.15/16
LOCATION:Nanshan Park Xining
PRICE:
Presale¥100/ Presale¥160(2 Day)
Door¥160 /Door¥240(2 Day)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:NA
9 HORMONE CRUISE MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.08.16-08.20
LOCATION:Shanghai—Jeju—Fukuoka—Shanghai
PRICE:¥4499 — ¥10099
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Howie B, TBOR, Tommy Hendriks, Ni Bing, Zheng Jun
10 MOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL DONGDAIHE
TIME:2015.8.21/22
LOCATION:Huludao East Beidaihe District Platinum Coast beach
PRICE:
1 Day Ticket: Presale:¥100/ Door:¥150
2 Day Ticket: Presale:¥160/Door:¥200
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Xie Tianxiao、AK47、Mademoiselle、Elenore、Wild Children、Zhou Yunpeng
11 EASTWAVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
DATE:8.28 – 30
TIME:15:00 – 22:00
LOCATION:Zhejiang Zhoushan Putuo District Nansha Zhujiajian
PRICE:
Presale:¥120/¥300(3 Day Ticket)
Door:150(1 Day Ticket)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Dou Wei, Lisa Ono, LENKA, Chang Shilei, Li Zhi, Shuh Tou, Zhou Yunpeng, Soundtoy
12 MIDI ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.9.3/4/5
LOCATION:Qidu in Wujiang District, Suzhou Taihu Midi camp
PRICE:
3 day ticket:¥300(Presale)/¥350(Door)
2 day ticket:¥200(Presale)/¥280(Door)
1 day ticket:¥100(Presale)/¥150(Door)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:NA
13 MOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL SHANGHAI
TIME:2015.9.3/4/5
LOCATION:EXPO PARK SHANGHAI
PRICE:
1 Day Ticket: Presale ¥150 /3 Day Ticket: Presale ¥350
1 Day Ticket: Door ¥200 /3 Day Ticket: Door ¥480
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Xu Wei, Xie Tianxiao, Luo Qi, Ara Kimbo, Wild Children, Zhou Yunpeng
14 ZHENGZHOU METOO MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.9.11—13
LOCATION:Zhengzhou Ying Yang
PRICE:NA
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Li Jian、Han Yun、Brain Failure、Black Panther、Secondhand Rose、GALA
15 THE BOND
TIME:2015.9.12/13
LOCATION:Shenzhen Dapeng New District No. 106, Kwai Peng Road
PRICE:Presale 150 / Door 200
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:NA
16 CHANGSHA ORANGE ISLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.9.12/13
LOCATION:Changsha Orange Island Beach Amusement Park
PRICE:N/A
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:N/A
17 KUNMING GREEN FEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.9.19/20
LOCATION:Kunming, Yunnan Hongta Sports Center
PRICE:PRESALE ¥170;DOOR ¥260
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Secondhand Rose、Miserable Faith、Battleaxe、MOXIZISHI、Hang Gai
18 ECHO PARK
TIME:2015.9.19/20
LOCATION:Shanghai Rugby Football Club
PRICE:
Single-Day Presale Ticket 200 / 2-Day Presale Ticket 300
Single-Day Door Ticket 260 / 2-Day Door Ticket 400
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance), Jay Park, Kelis, Chase & Status (DJ set), Envy, Chochukmo, Jeff Lang, Young Fathers, The Big Wave + more to be announced.
19 RED EYED FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.9.25/26
LOCATION:Heifei Anhui
PRICE:Free
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Andy Moor, Tenishia, Jamaster A, Gie, HEATBEAT, David Gravell, BEN GOLD, Susana
20 DALIAN SUMMER LOVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
LOCATION:Dalian Donggang Musical Fountain
TIME:2015.926/27
PRICE:
Presale (for student)¥100 / Presale (1 Day Ticket)¥120
Presale (2 Day Ticket) ¥200
Door(1 Day Ticket) 150
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Xu Wei, Escape Plan, Mc Hot Dog, MEGA SOUL, Pinko, STONE
21 BOUGAINVILLEA MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:9.26/27
LOCATION:Shenzhen Longgang Canal Center
PRICE:NA
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Tenishia /Omnia/DJ Feel/Heatbeat /Justin Prime /Jorn van Deynhoven(Armada)/ Susana (Armada) /Jennifer Rene (Armada)/ Jamaster A /NLVi
22 SPRING WAVE MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.10
LOCATION:Sanjia Port Pudong Shanghai
PRICE:TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC
23 CHANGJIANG MIDI MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.10.01 – 2015.10.03
LOCATION:Sanjia Port Pudong Shanghai
PRICE: TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC
24 MOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL (WUHAN)
TIME:Oct 1/2/3
LOCATION:Wuhan Sports Center Stadium
PRICE: TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC
25 PLAY ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.10.2 – 10.4
LOCATION:Hefei Baohe grassland
PRICE:
¥150 (1 Day Ticket Presale) /¥200 (1 Day Ticket Door) /¥400 (3 Day Ticket Presale)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Chang Csun Yuk, MC Hotdog, MJ116, Dead Shape Figure, Nine Treasures, Re-armed, Mosaic, Scamper, Blademark, Large Magellanic
26 BUDWEISER STROM ELECTRIC MUSIC FESTIVAL (SHANGHAI)
TIME:2015.10.03 – 2015.10.04
LOCATION:Xuhui Riverside Public Open Space
PRICE:
Presale: 1 Day Ticket ¥380/¥680 (VIP); 2 Day Ticket ¥680 /¥1180(VIP)
Door: 1 Day Ticket ¥480 /¥780 (VIP)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Tiesto, Avicii, DVBBS, Blasterjaxx, Laidback Luke, Yellow Claw
27 BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.10.3/4
LOCATION:Xiangzhou Zhuhai
PRICE:NA
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Chang Csun Yuk、A-lin、Escape Plan、Killersoap、SupperMoment、CBT
28 SHANGHAI SIMPLE LIFE FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.10.4 – 6
LOCATION:Shanghai EXPO Park
PRICE:NA
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Emil Chau, Chang Csun Yuk, Tanya Chua, Fanfan Fan, Wan Fang, Lisa Ono, Zhang Chu, Li Zhi, Wan Xiaoli, WUTIAOREN
29 JZ FESTIVAL SHANGHAI
TIME:2015.10.16 – 18
LOCATION:Shanghai EXPO Park
PRICE:Presale ¥180;Door ¥280
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Joss Stone, Joss Stone, Earth, Wind and Fire Experience featuring The Al Mckay Allstars, Victor Wooten, Lord Echo
30 STRAWBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL (MIANYANG)
TIME:10.17/18
LOCATION:Yue Wang Lou South Square
PRICE: TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC
31 JAZZ MUSIC FESTIVAL (GUANGZHOU)
TIME:2015年10月24日-30日
LOCATION:星海音乐厅
PRICE:Presale ¥980
LINEUP:Victor Wooten, Li Yuejun, Chen Yizhi, Chang Shilei, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jonas Seetoh, Cui Jian
32 STRAWBERRY MUSIC FESTIVAL (CHONGQING)
TIME:2015.10.24/25
LOCATION:Chongqing Central Park
PRICE: TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC
33 BUDWEISER STROM ELECTRIC MUSIC (SHENZHEN)
TIME:2015.11.21/22
LOCATION:TBA
PRICE:
Presale: 1 Day Ticket ¥380 /¥680 (VIP); 2 Day Ticket¥680 /¥1180 (VIP)
Door: 1 Day Ticket ¥480/¥780(VIP)
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
Afrojack, Fedde Le Grand, Kaskade, Showtek
34 CLOCKENFLAP MUSIC FESTIVAL
TIME:2015.11.27—11.29
Location:West Kowloon Cultural District
PRICE: TBC
LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS: TBC