Music bands attending the festival, including (from top to bottom) Top Floor Circus, Your Favorite Enemies, Mongol800, Good 4 Nothing and Mr. Big. Photos: Courtesy of Midi Festival

By Li Yuting

Outdoor music festivals in the Middle Kingdom may not yet generate the headlines of a Glastonbury or Woodstock, but their reputation is growing. And one of the biggest names in China, the Midi Festival, is hoping to make as big a name for itself in Shanghai, as it already does in Beijing.

The just-concluded three-stage Beijing Midi Festival attracted anywhere up to 29,000 revelers, while this weekend's event in Shanghai's Century Park is expected to draw between 8,000 and 10,000 music fans. There will be two stages: the main, rock-oriented Tang Stage, and the electronic label-sponsored dance-oriented Antidote Stage. 

Rock on  

After rocking the capital for more than a decade, Shanghai's Midi Festival debut will feature 25 bands from all over China, as well as from overseas. The three-day music fest includes some big names, such as the legendary hard rock band Mr. Big from the US, Your Favorite Enemies from Canada, the hip punk band Mongol800 from Japan and some noted local bands such as Top Floor Circus, Cold Fairyland and Pink Berry.

Formed in 1988, Mr. Big has remained active and popular for more than two decades. Distinguished by their strong voices and vocal harmonies, the four-piece's biggest hits include "To Be With You" and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind."

"The Beijing event usually features a lot of metal rock, while in Shanghai, electronic music with elements such as punk is more popular," said Yang Yijun, chief representative for the Shanghai Midi Festival who is also in charge of the Tang Stage.

According to Yang, the idea of bringing the Midi Festival to Shanghai dates back to 2009.  However, owing to venue problems that year - and the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai last year - the 12-year-old Beijing-based festival will finally hit Shanghai this weekend. As for the differences in rock music scenes between Beijing and Shanghai, Yang considers that the musical options in Shanghai are generally fewer and that rock is only popular among a small group of devoted fans who attend live gigs in venues like bars.

"We expect this year's Midi Festival will offer more musical styles to Shanghai fans. It's a music carnival and we want everyone to have fun," Yang told the Global Times.

Developing scene

Michael Ohlsson, who is in charge of the Antidote Stage and who is also the co-owner of Dada bar at Xingfu Road, told the Global Times: "We need to develop the rock scene in Shanghai. Other cities - even smaller cities - have a better scene than Shanghai does. But we can catch up quickly, so watch out! I think Shanghai can definitely support larger music festivals like Midi, but it might take a few years to get local people to understand what it's all about."

The Antidote Stage will boast a line-up of talented DJs, rap artists and instrumentalists, offering live electronic monster-madness music as well as a hot, dance party for concert-goers.

As one of nine local bands appearing, Top Floor Circus will be fresh from performing at the recent Strawberry Music Festival in Beijing. They have also previously performed at the Beijing Midi School of Music (a forerunner of the festival) way back in 2002.

This year they will perform seven songs on the first day of the festival, most of which feature the Shanghai dialect. According to Top Floor Circus vocalist Lu Chen, the highlight will be the 10-minute number "Shanghai Childhood."

"Targeted at the local, Shanghai audience, our songs will definitely resonate with them," Lu told the Global Times.

Yan Yang, the drummer in another Shanghai-based band Sonnet, said they are hoping to create a relaxing and joyful atmosphere for the audience.

"In contrast to the scene in Beijing, Shanghai enjoys a more non-traditional approach to rock music, which relates closely to the spirit and culture of the city itself," he said.

This year's Midi Festival is also highlighting the protection of the endangered wild moon bear under the slogans "Protect Moon Bears!" and "Boycott Bear Bile!" According to Yang, Midi began introducing public welfare campaigns into the festival in 2006. After the Beijing and Shanghai carnivals, the Midi Festival will rock on to Rizhao in Shandong Province from August 4 to 7, and then to Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province from October 1 to 4.

Date: Friday to May 8, 1 pm to 9:30 pm

Venue: No.5 Gate, Century Park

世纪公园äº"号门

Address: 1359 Huamu Road 花木路1359号

Tickets: 150 yuan (Day 1), 80 yuan (Day 2), 80 yuan (Day 3), 200 yuan (3-day tickets)

Call 6417-7845 for details