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In addition to the destruction and tragic loss of life Monday's earthquake caused in Wenchuan and elsewhere in Sichuan, many events in Sichuan and surrounding provinces including Yunnan have been canceled. One such event is the Kunming stop on the Subs' tour of west China. Local music promoter Xiao Gui, posting on the Rock Yunnan BBS, announced the cancellation of the Subs show in Kunming originally scheduled for next Wednesday: "Because of the earthquake, the band is unable to make it to Kunming from Gansu, there's no way around it, the performance has to be cancelled. This month has been truly unlucky, but we pray with devotion for the fortune of our compatriots. There will be loads of shows after the Olympics, let's all look forward to after the Olympics…" Sam Debell of Speakeasy Bar, where the Subs/Noise Addiction show was to take place, confirmed that the show had been cancelled and expressed hope that it would be rescheduled for later this year. Debell said that the band was currently in Sichuan and was in good shape but unable to make it to Kunming. Related articles: Contribute to Wenchuan earthquake relief efforts Sichuan, Beijing earthquakes shake China Beijing garage rockers Subs to play Kunming Tags: earthquake, live music, Rock Yunnan, Sichuan, Subs, Wenchuan The music scene in Kunming is still a work in progress, but many big steps have been taken in the last years to lay the foundation for what should eventually be one of the more vibrant music scenes in China. The 'hardware' for a music scene is coming into place as there are a growing number of venues around the city serving as platforms for performers. At the same time, the 'software' is improving as well, with a growing number of Kunming-based bands - and DJs - performing around town. One of those DJs, Jezz aka Jeremy Elrick, is focusing on further developing his own DJ skills - as well as the Kunming club scene – through a regular series of parties he throws with fellow UK DJ Menace. Jezz recently won a YouTube Ten Minute Mix competition for DJs around the world, earning him a spot for one of his mixes on Ministry of Sound Radio. GoKunming sat down with Jezz to find out more about the direction he sees the Kunming club scene heading: GoKunming: Why are you based in China, and more specifically Kunming? Jezz: "I'm based in China in general as it's a chance to get access to nightclubs and experience that I feel I wouldn't have elsewhere. That's not to say I'm out there blagging, just that the system in the West makes it very difficult for a DJ in limbo between the bedroom and nightclub... China is an ideal training ground. Kunming is, at least in my humble opinion, one of the most exciting cities in China. It is relatively small and the scene is still in its infancy but already there are some great people, the vibe is really positive and I see a lot of potential." GK: With regard to the club scene in Kunming, what do you see as the main advantages and challenges? Jezz: "I love the fact that the scene is small, everyone knows each other and there's a very Bohemian feeling about it all. I can go to a party and at the same table there'll be DJs, VJs, Bar managers, MCs, Party Organisers.... all putting their heads together.... and I love being in a certain place in time where I feel like something positive will emerge." "At the same time I feel like despite all the creativity floating around there are often not enough people out and about to enjoy it all. I would say in Kunming at the moment there are only enough partygoers at any given time for one party, which is a shame as the development of a scene requires more options and more people to appreciate those options." GK: What are your current goals with regard to Kunming and China?
"Uprock, for me at least, was a step in the right direction: a club with music as its most important aspect - as opposed to revenue - has always got to be the basis of a scene and that in itself was a development for Kunming. My own personal goals are simply to develop my skills... I have my own sound which has been well received outside of China but unless you are a Top 10 DJ the majority of the time you are playing music to keep the floor moving... and that takes experience." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jezz and Menace will bring another of their 'Innocence' series of parties to Uprock tomorrow, May 10. Joining them will be DJ Jeffery the Wind. Music starts at ten, admission is free. Related articles: Music under the stars at Kunming Outdoor Music Festival Uprock aiming to put Kunming on Asia's club circuit Tags: Jezz, live music, Ministry of Sound, Uprock, YouTube Music under the stars at Kunming Outdoor Music FestivalMonday, 21st April 2008 ~ Chris ~ Link ~ Comments (4)
The second installment of the Kunming Outdoor Music Festival took place over the weekend in Taiping Town outside of Kunming - this time featuring two days of music from bands based in Kunming and Dali. This edition of the festival attracted around 600 people and featured a greater variety of performers than the last - plus perfect weather for taking in music under the stars. Many of the performers from the first edition of the festival last November made it back to perform on Friday and Saturday nights, including organizers Gouride (狗日的), Tribal Moons, Heiyu (黑宇), and No Answer (打死我也不说). No Answer, whose Chinese name means 'beat me to death and I still won't talk', was arguably the most improved band since the last festival – owing primarily to the addition of vocalist Bai Cai, whose energetic stage presence was able to get the audience more involved than at the band's previous shows （see above image). Drummer Yang Yang also put in a solid performance, confirming her status as one of the more talented young drummers in the Kunming music scene. Perhaps the biggest surprise at the festival was the opening night performance by the rock/reggae hybrid Made in Dali, who were the consensus favorite among people who attended the festival both evenings. There was a sizeable military presence at the festival, with dozens of (officially) off-duty soldiers checking out the variety of musical offerings under a nearly full moon. On Saturday night during an 11 pm set by Co Op Sol (邪作社), formerly known as Rap Republic, two military personnel carriers drove into the festival, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Some of the audience was slightly confused when a few dozen soldiers quickly assembled at the rear of the seating area. Things quickly returned to normal, however, after it became apparent that the soldiers seemed more interested in watching the show than interrupting...好玩嘎！ Photo: Aaron Bono Related Article: Kunming Outdoor Music Festival returns this month Tags: Co Op Sol, Gouride, Kunming Outdoor Music Festival, live music, Made in Dali, No Answer, Rap Republic, soldiers, Taiping Town, 打死我也不说, 邪作社 Kunming Outdoor Music Festival returns this monthMonday, 7th April 2008 ~ Chris ~ Link ~ Comments (0)
With the success of the first Kunming Outdoor Music Festival (昆明露天音乐节) last November, the event's organizers are bringing the all-day – and most of the night – music festival back to Taiping Town outside of Kunming on April 19. The all-local festival should be even more diverse than last time, with bands performing punk, blues, metal, hiphop, punk and bluegrass. The lineup for this edition of the festival includes Heiyu (黑宇), Gouride (狗日的), Broken String (断弦), Endless Torture (无尽折磨), Noise Addiction, No Answer (打死我也不说), Brain Concussion (脑震荡), Co Op Sol (邪作社 – formerly known as Rap Republic), Kouxian (扣弦), Chicken Butt (鸡屁股), Tribal Moons (see above image), Chaling (叉灵), Fang Band (坊乐队), The Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project and Nicole. The festival starts at noon and will go late into the night – festivalgoers are encouraged to bring tents to stay on the campground overnight. Food and drinks will also be on sale throughout the day and evening. Tickets for the festival are 30 yuan at the gate, or 20 yuan if purchased in advance at The Hump Bar, Halfway House, Speakeasy Bar or Laowo Bar. The festival will once again be held at the Wumozhai Jiuzhuang Eco-garden on Xiao Jie in Taiping Town (太平镇小街无墨斋酒庄生态元), near the city of Anning (安宁). According to event organizers, the number 17 bus at Xiao Ximen can be taken to Taiping Town, and there will also be a shuttle bus between Taiping Town and the Arts Theatre at Wuyi Lu and Dongfeng Xi Lu throughout the day for five yuan one way. UPDATE: We have just received notice from the festival's organizers that the festival has been expanded to two days – with a short evening set on Friday, April 18th and 19th, with a few additional bands and DJs. Here's the schedule for the two days: Friday, April 18th 8 pm: Gouride 9 pm: Jinzi 10 pm: Stiop 11 pm: Made in Dali Midnight: Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project 1 am: Brain Concussion Afterward: DJs Tantrum, Jezz and Menace Saturday, April 19th 1 pm: Nicole 2 pm: Fang Band 3 pm: Anyeqi 4 pm: Brain Concussion 5 pm: Kouxian 6 pm: Gouride 7 pm: No Answer 8 pm: Tribal Moons 9 pm: Heiyu 10 pm: Broken String 11 pm: Co-op Sol Midnight: Chaling 1 am: Endless Torture 2 am: Noise Addiction Afterward: DJ Moon Unit/DJ Chengcheng UPDATE 2: The festival site is rather difficult to find, here's a Chinese map:
Related articles: No Answer - Kunming's riot grrls Kunming Bands to play outdoor music festival Tags: blues, Co Op Sol, Gouride, Heiyu, hiphop, Kunming Outdoor Music Festival, live music, metal, No Answer, punk, Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project, Rap Republic, Tribal Moons, 打死我也不说, 昆明露天音乐节, 狗日的, 邪作社 Uprock aiming to put Kunming on Asia's club circuitWednesday, 5th March 2008 ~ Chris ~ Link ~ Comments (2)
Kunming is known around China for having nicer weather and bluer skies than most cities in the country, but visitors to the city often note that the city's club scene pales in comparison to cities like Shanghai and Beijing, where parties featuring top DJs from around China, Asia and the rest of the planet are commonplace. A group including Kunming DJs Shonny and Echoo is launching a new club – Uprock – this Friday. Uprock is Kunming's first attempt at a nightclub that eschews bolted-down stools and the ubiquitous whiskey and green tea for an open dance floor and a focus on DJ skills and… music. Uprock has also enlisted the assistance of Kunming-based UK native DJ DSK who is serving as the club's music and events director. Last year DSK was been cutting wax all over China and Asia, but this year he says he plans on staying in Kunming to focus on new projects, including turning Uprock – and Kunming – into established stops on the Asian club circuit. "I've been DJing around China and Asia the last few years, now I want to concentrate on doing things here in Kunming, including recording," DSK said over tea in the nearly complete Uprock. "Right now I want to be able to manage a place and record." The longtime Kunming resident said that Uprock is an attempt to do something different in a city filled with cookie cutter clubs that tend to copy the most successful club at any given moment. "Uprock is different because it's a venue that concentrates on the music instead of gimmicks," he said. "The only way to have a proper club is to have proper DJs and proper music. Our goal is for Uprock to be respected for the DJs that perform here and the music played here. I want to prove that you can play good music and make money." The two-level club is located above a row of piano stores about 50 meters south of the intersection of Xichang Lu and Xinwen Lu, just a stone's throw from Kundu, click here for a locator map (in Chinese). This weekend Uprock will celebrate its grand opening with two nights of parties featuring live turntablism by DSK and Mr Stokes, who moved to Kunming recently from Shanghai, where he was involved in the Bananas Sound System. The second night is being billed as the 'Uprock All Stars Party', in which DJs Kris, Shonny, Echoo, Jezz, Jiang Nan and Mr Stokes will play sets upstairs while DJs Christian, Menace and DSK perform in the downstairs lounge area. The first fifty guests each night will receive a free Uprock CD – click on the link below for a mix by Uprock DJs. Downloadable MP3: The Uprock Mix Click for Uprock contact and map Tags: Bananas Sound System, DJ DSK, Echoo, live music, Mr Stokes, Shonny, Uprock Guangzhou folk musician Ye Lang to perform tonightMonday, 21st January 2008 ~ Xiao Lu ~ Link ~ Comments (0)Guangxi native Ye Lang, who has been performing in Guangzhou for the last ten years – both solo and with his band Southern Barbarian - is considered one of the top three folk musicians in Guangzhou. Often characterized as melancholic, Ye Lang's songs feature traditional folk guitar as well as harmonica, bawu and other instruments – even the occasional throat-singing session. Ye Lang is already a veteran of China's nascent festival scene, he has performed at the Beijing Midi Music Festival, the Dashanzi Neofolk Music Festival (part of the Beijing Dangdai International Art Festival) and other events in the country's coastal cities. Click here for a short video clip of Ye Lang at the Midi Music Festival. Ye Lang plays tonight at Halfway House at 9:00. Admission is 10 yuan. Related articles: Wan Xiaoli to play last-minute show Mongolian band Hanggai to play Friday night Tags: folk music, live music, Midi Music Festival, Ye Lang
More and more Beijing bands are making the journey across China to perform in Kunming and elsewhere in Yunnan – in the next week two of the capital's more popular bands will perform, with good turnouts expected for both shows. The first band to roll into town is Candy Gun (糖果枪), which will play Speakeasy Bar at 9:30 pm on Sunday night. The four-piece band plays rather heavy rock with lyrics that touch upon struggle, love, loneliness and perseverance. Tickets for the show are 30 yuan for the general public and 25 yuan for students. Next Wednesday, Beijing pop punk/ska/hardcore mainstays Reflector (反光镜) will play the Laowo Bar - across from the Yunnan Art Institute's main gate just off of Kunrui Lu. Reflector is one of the first Chinese rock bands to tour the US, an experience that helped the band hone their live shows. Special opening act No Answer will kick things off at 9 pm - admission is 30 yuan. Tags: Candy Gun, live music, punk, Reflector In addition to another six hours of short films, experimental films, documentaries and full-length films, BigScreen 2007's third day will feature its second of three special musical performances when bilingual hiphop duo Rap Republic (说唱共和国) takes the stage at 8 pm at Yuansheng Studio.
Tang Renti's smoke-'em-if-you-got-'em beats explore a wide range of moods and styles -- it's no stretch to say that he has emerged as one of the top hiphop producers in China. Mike Wind's solid vocals and stage presence are complemented by Tang's unique flow. The back-and-forth between Chinese and English lyrics - both MCs are bilingual - creates one of the most unique and accessible hiphop shows on the mainland. Rap Republic plays at 8:00 tonight at Yuansheng Studio, which is located next to TCG Nordica in the center of The Loft (创库) art compound at 101 Xiba Lu, next to the Baiyao Chang (白药厂) bus stop. Tags: arts and entertainment, BigScreen Festival, live music, Mike Wind, Rap Republic, Tang Renti Next 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
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