Cui Jian performs at a concert. Photos: Courtesy of 228.com.cn

Shanghai rock fans will have a special Christmas present delivered tomorrow night when two giants of China's rock'n'roll scene take to the stage. Cui Jian and Xu Wei will be live and loud in concert at the Mercedes-Benz Arena (the Expo Performance Center).

Cui Jian, 49, a Beijing-based singer and songwriter, is regarded as one of the very first Chinese artists to write rock songs, and has been dubbed "The Father of Chinese Rock." The 42-year-old Xu Wei is a pioneer of the newer generation of Chinese rock music. The title of their concert Xu Jiu Wei Jian combines their names, and means "long time no see" in Chinese - fans have an opportunity of seeing these two legends on stage together for the very first time.

Perform together

Last month Xu Wei appeared at the Back To Basic rock stars concert in Shanghai but the absence of Cui Jian left many fans a little disappointed. Both of them had performed for the Back To Basic concert series but never appeared together in a single concert. According to the concert organizer, the highlight of the Xu Jiu Wei Jian concert will be a duet. Details of this piece have not been revealed yet but it is believed that it is based on a classic overseas rock number.

Though Zuo Lin You Li (Alan Tam and Hacken Lee) from Hong Kong and Zong Guan Xian (Jonathan Lee, Lotayu, Emil Chau, Chang Chen-yue) from Taiwan have already made a huge impression on popular music fans over the years, presenting two leading artists on stage in the same concert is a fairly new marketing ploy on the Chinese mainland. Xu Jiu Wei Jian is much more than a simple marketing exercise but an endeavor to promote quality Chinese rock music to a larger audience.

Xu Wei was born in Shaanxi Province and rose to fame for his talents in writing songs for another famous performer in 1995. After signing a contract as a singer, his hit debut Elsewhere sold 500,000 albums in 1997. From a young campus balladeer to a rock star, this former fenqing (a cynical, angry young man) has matured into a respected and popular musician.

Xu Wei once said practicing the guitar was a very lonely experience for him and he revels in the experience of sharing his music with people. The word "warm" appears frequently in his song lyrics and that is exactly how the star feels about his music and his audiences.

Cui Jian and his band have been leading performers in the rock scene for several years. As "The Father of Chinese Rock" his solo concerts remain the hallmark for performance achievements in the popular music market. Cui keeps creating a huge number of new works, and is unrestricted by styles and trends. He is a pioneer of the domestic rock genre and a tireless enthusiast in promoting the attraction of rock music.

Cui wants his fans to join in the singing at the concert to release their pressures of work and life, and express their true feelings of love and admiration. "Couples and would-be lovers should sing out and join in the spirit of the music," he said.

This Christmas Eve concert will feature some of the classic hits of both Xu and Cui.

The Xu Jiu Wei Jian rock concert will create a special atmosphere involving warmth and the feelings of Christmas. The concert's theme title is Release and fans are invited to release themselves into the music and the Christmas Eve warmth with Cui and Xu.

Date: Tomorrow, 8 pm

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena

梅赛德斯-å¥"驰文化中心 (世博文化中心)

Address: 1200 Expo Avenue

世博大é"1200号

Tickets: 280 to 2,010 yuan

Call 400-810-1887 for details

The discography of the stars

Cui Jian

1984 - Vagabond's Return

1985 - 1985 A Compilation Showcasing

Cui's Vocal Stylings

1986 - Nothing To My Name

1989 - Rock'n'Roll On The New Long

March

1991 - Solution

1994 - Balls Under The Red Flag

1996 - Best Of Cui Jian: 1986 to 1996

1998 - The Power Of The Powerless

2005 - Show Your Color

Xu Wei

1997 - Elsewhere

2002 - Through The Time

2004 - Every Moment Is New

2005 - A Compilation: 1995

to 2000

2006 - On The Way …

2006 - Once You

2008 - Love like A Youth

2009 - The Day: A Compilation

from 2002 to 2008