Back to the garden
- Source: Global Times
- [09:28 July 19 2010]
- Comments
The band Maze on stage. Photo: Courtesy of MTV China
By George Wyndham and Mao Jiayu
China's growing list of music festivals has a new name to add to the summer itinerary. And while the "Niuyuzui Primordial Ecological Scenic Spot" may not roll off the tongue as easily as Woodstock, the organizers were hopeful of inviting favorable comparisons with China's more established events. In the last three years alone, the Xihu Music Festival in Hangzhou, the Strawberry Music Festival in Beijing, the Zebra Music Festival in Chengdu, and Hebei's Camping Music Festival have all sprung up.
This latest four-day festival was certainly hotly anticipated, creating a stir among both the Chinese rock community and curious neighbors at this idyllic backwater some 120 kilometers north of Guangzhou. On the first day, locals from the nearby village of Xiutianluo turned out in force to watch - if not quite welcome - a stream of long-haired, skinny jeaned musicians disembarking from buses, instrument cases in hand.
A total of 40 bands were on the bill, hailing from Beijing, Dalian, Taipei, Shanghai and Massachusetts in the US. "We wanted bands which play in lots of different styles so we booked metal, rock, indie, folk and post-rock bands. We wanted to bring all these different musical scenes together in this beautiful place," said organizer Zhao Chenhong.
Unfortunately, the remoteness of the farmland made the concert set-up problematic from the start. Bands arrived late; arguments broke out with local police about what time the concerts would finish; and several ticket holders went astray because of transport problems in Guangzhou. On top of this was the inadequate electricity supply to power the second festival stage set up to accommodate DJs from Shanghai. All of this took place in intensely hot weather which didn't help.
To make matters worse, turnout and ticket sales (300 yuan or $44 for four days) didn't even come close to reflecting the promise that first-time festival organizer Zhao Chenhong had made to festival investor Duan Yongjun. "I told our investor that 40,000 people would show up, that's 10,000 people for each day. But I think we've had a total of 1,500 people over the four days," Zhao said on the final day. "It's basically been a disaster, I've lost over 2 million yuan," Duan Yongjun told the Global Times over the din of thrash metal pumping out across the picturesque landscape. "The main problem is that this has been organized from Beijing, as opposed to giving the job to local firms who have a better idea of what music lovers in Guangdong actually want."
Despite the low turnout, police presence, and inconsistent weather, a very positive atmosphere ran through the proceedings and most of the festival goers appeared to enjoy themselves tremendously. "I am having the best time of my life!" exclaimed one reveler during the particularly boisterous set of the band Boyz and Girl. Gao Zhiyong, who was reporting on the festival for MTV China agreed. "I think this is great for the Chinese music scene I hope it happens every year! And the fact that there aren't so many people here actually makes it feel more special."
The bands also seemed to enjoy themselves and those who put in good performances on the first day included Gou Mao, a Taiwan-based folk band with an excellent harmonica player. He later led fellow musicians and fans in an impromptu jam session by the swimming area. Yufeimen also impressed. Boyz and Girl, featuring the charismatic lead singer Ben Ben, caused the biggest stir of the second day with their riotous indie rock. A close runner-up however was the band Steely Heart who managed to keep everybody dancing until well after 1 am. Friday featured reggae outfit Long Shen Dao who played an energetic set culminating with several unruly ska numbers that led to the biggest mosh-pit of the weekend.
"The music has been great and even though I've lost a lot financially, I would like to put it on again next year. We've learnt a lot about how to organize a festival so I have high hopes for next time," said Duan.
