It appears that holding music festivals in scenic areas as a means of promoting tourism is here to stay. Civic leaders in Puzhehei and Fuxian have hosted multi-day outdoor concerts this year and now Pu'er is joining the club.

And while the level of national attention is growing and festivals are attracting more nationally-known talent, organization and follow-through appear to be on the wane.

First announced as an eight-day event, the Pu'er International Country Music Festival (普洱国际乡村音乐节) will be held from November 20 to 24. Possibly the result of a brilliant brainstorm on what would attract people to Pu'er City, the music festival features big name headliners and a beauty pageant.

The acts scheduled to perform play both traditional Chinese music and modern rock'n'roll. Musical styles run the gamut from Yunnan-infused reggae, Mongolian folk, redneck punk, funk, to gypsy jazz.

GoKunming repeatedly contacted concert officials and band members in search of a schedule. We were unable to find one, other than a vague list of events. We can confirm that the following acts are slated to appear. When is anyone's guess.

Shanren (山人乐队)
Hanggai (杭盖乐队)
Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project
Sigangli (司岗里)
Mademoiselle et son orchestre, featuring Jean-Sébastien Héry
Rani and the Right Turns
Longshendao (龙神道)
Cao Fang (曹芳)
Wang Fanrui (王梵瑞)
Lao Lang (老狼)
Chuanzi (川子)
Powell Young (歇斯)

The Rednecks circa 1967

Editor's note: Due to virtually no local press coverage or announcements from event organizers, GoKunming did not receive enough information to publish this article until now. Although the festival ostensibly begins today, a schedule has yet to be released.

Accommodations are apparently the sole responsibility of the concertgoer. There has also been no mention of ticket outlets anywhere, leading us to believe that tickets are only available at the venue or that the entire show is free.

Top image Mark Vandalaer
Bottom image: city weekend

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