We have a LOT of browser windows open at the moment, talking about China’s independent music scene. And so it is that we thought we should put them all together for your viewing pleasure.
1. China Daily sticks its “journalistic” oar in on music festivals
China Daily is not reputed to be the most objective of sources. In THIS article, they report on Suzhou Holisland, interview Shen Lihui of Modern Sky and Liu Hongjie of InMusic (who expects 30,000 people this year) and also the Party Secretary of Zhangbei province (where InMusic has reportedly signed a 10 year partnership to run the festival) who admits to investing RMB3m in the festival.
Oh, and they put forward this Awesome Guitarist photo:
2. An interview with Modern Sky’s Shen Lihui
New kid on the block (expat newspaper – been around for 15 months now) the Global Times profiles Shen Lihui, boss man at Modern Sky.
3. HP is sponsoring the Communist Youth League.
We just thought this was too good not to put in here.
4. A comparison of comments between a Chinese and Western festival promoter
What makes a good music festival? Yu Hui of Suzhou’s festival (good sound, good artists, good marketing, satisfy audience) vs. Rick Farman of Bonnaroo (secure approvals, production, site operations, concessions).
5. Andy Best on why Douban’s news feed has gone
Making the Douban social network a MUCH lesser place to hang out, and a Guardian article explaining why the government might have had a hand in it.
6. Andy Best again on starting and running a DIY record label
Interestingly, Andy Best of Kungfuology fame started a new blog a while back. Indie Everything looks to our untrained eyes like a kind of training manual/ testing ground for how to do music-ey things all DIY style. Man, this promises to be a great resource for Chinese kids looking to start their own band, label, print t-shirts etc. Are you the patron saint of music Mr.B?