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Snapshot: Tianyu Music Festival

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China's chaotic Golden Week is usually a time when hordes of travellers descend on Yunnan's most popular tourist destination — Lijiang. This year was no different in respect to visitor numbers. However, a new attraction greeted vacationers this year, the Lijiang Tianyu Music Festival, which was held at an abandoned cement factory.

The sometimes soggy three-day event hosted more than 50 acts from across China and featured performances by dozens of Naxi locals. A mixture of sun and rain greeted concertgoers but caused few major inconveniences until the festival's final day, when stage times for several acts were shortened and jumbled around. Below is an assortment of photos showing what went on at the province's newest concert festival.

The festival had a heavy Naxi influence and included several performances by local musicians.
The festival had a heavy Naxi influence and included several performances by local musicians.

Synth rockers Mosaic from Chengdu riled up the crowd on the first day.
Synth rockers Mosaic from Chengdu riled up the crowd on the first day.

Ska-punk band The Trouble was another of several acts from Chengdu. The crowd was up and dancing during their perfomance the first day.
Ska-punk band The Trouble was another of several acts from Chengdu. The crowd was up and dancing during their perfomance the first day.

Festival essentials: ukelele (check), braided hair (check) and a hookah (check).
Festival essentials: ukelele (check), braided hair (check) and a hookah (check).

Minority drummers in traditional dress also got into the act.
Minority drummers in traditional dress also got into the act.

A shot of the massive main stage near the end of the festival's first day.
A shot of the massive main stage near the end of the festival's first day.

Rock legend Wang Feng headlined the first night.
Rock legend Wang Feng headlined the first night.

Emergency firefighters received front row spots for Wang Feng.
Emergency firefighters received front row spots for Wang Feng.

DJ Maxi closed out the second stage on first night of the concert.
DJ Maxi closed out the second stage on first night of the concert.

Police and concertgoers alike were caught up in the revelry.
Police and concertgoers alike were caught up in the revelry.

An impressive 3D light show was projected against structures left over from the event's former incarnation as a cement factory.
An impressive 3D light show was projected against structures left over from the event's former incarnation as a cement factory.

Chengdu rockers Ashura got the crowd on their feet on the second day of the festival.
Chengdu rockers Ashura got the crowd on their feet on the second day of the festival.

Local musicians lent a more traditional sound to the festival's otherwise bombastic stylings.
Local musicians lent a more traditional sound to the festival's otherwise bombastic stylings.

Kunming retro rockers Yellow Barcode opened the main stage on the second day.
Kunming retro rockers Yellow Barcode opened the main stage on the second day.

The main stage rigging under friendly skies.
The main stage rigging under friendly skies.

A minority singer wearing traditional robes serenaded the crowd with Naxi folk songs.
A minority singer wearing traditional robes serenaded the crowd with Naxi folk songs.

Despite rain, the crowd came out strong for the third day.
Despite rain, the crowd came out strong for the third day.

American Daniel Hart merged classical music with electronica on the second stage.
American Daniel Hart merged classical music with electronica on the second stage.

An eclectic crowd was on hand all three days of the festival.
An eclectic crowd was on hand all three days of the festival.

Beijing pop rockers Escape Plan serenaded the crowd
Beijing pop rockers Escape Plan serenaded the crowd

Beijing's Queen Sea Big Shark heated up the night with their sexy synth-rock.
Beijing's Queen Sea Big Shark heated up the night with their sexy synth-rock.

Another spectacular 3D light show was projected on the remaining structures of the old cement plant.
Another spectacular 3D light show was projected on the remaining structures of the old cement plant.

Miserable Faith got the crowd on their feet during the final night of the festival.
Miserable Faith got the crowd on their feet during the final night of the festival.

Images provided by: Lijiang Tianyu Music Festival

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