Seeing hundreds of people sprawled on the grassy hilltops of a park east of the city (Even sitting directly on the grass! A sight never seen at the DUT campus!) and crowding around the festival's five stages was an impressive visual representation of "non-mainstream" music's growing popularity in China.
And (most of) the music did not disappoint. Miserable Faith's set was awesome, and they played all my favorite songs! I also really enjoyed the Omnipotent Youth Society, Hedgehog, Bigger Bang, Queen Sea Big Shark, Retros, and Hanggai (the obligatory 小数民族 act - a blend of traditional Mongolian music and rock).
Hedgehog's super cute girl drummer.
Omnipotent Youth Society. I was surrounded by fans singing along.
Retros, dark and brooding. Yay for more female musicians.
Of course, I suspected some people's reasons for coming. Were they true music fans, or were they just there to be seen? Hunched on a rock in my dirty sneakers and NOLS rainjacket, I quietly observed an older white man who may have truly been a fashion photographer, or perhaps just a creep, scanning the crowd for young fashionistas and picking some out for portraits. Needless to say, he bypassed me and went for the woman in the lime green tights a couple meters to my right. The people watching was excellent, and after 7 months in a country where the style on the street has been aptly described at "trashy" (rhinestones and fur abound), even I appreciated the hipster attire of the China cool crowd.
I also couldn't help but engage in my own share of creepy, near pedophilic photography. But after taking my two students to their first ever live show, seeing so many children being exposed from a young age never ceased to amaze me.
(Russell, my trusty partner in crime, is in the reddish pants behind the kid's mom. Wouldn't have had as much fun without him!)
Best of all, the Chinese managed to turn a rock festival into a family event. Here's grandma, mom and dad, and baby all making their way through the crowd.
I had a blast, although I am now recovering from what must be my 8th cold since I got to China - if only I had worn a face mask like all my Chinese counterparts. The two types in vogue were the blue hospital mask and the convenient zippered style (you can keep it on all day, even for meals or for a smoke!)
My ears are re-inspired, Hedgehog's album "Blue Daydreaming" is on repeat on my iPod, and it's finally spring! Let the good times continue rolling.
I love that Hedgehog album! But that's pretty much all the Chinese rock I have. Most of my Chinese music is of the poppy, dance party variety. I have to steal some from you when you come to Taigu!
ReplyDeleteThis is getting me pumped for next year. Live music and people my own age! with a sweet and sour Beijing flavor mmmmm
ReplyDelete