1516The Shenzhen MIDI Festival was held12on31andon1at1the Longgang Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen as scheduled. Jointly organized by the Beijing MIDI School of Music and the Kaisa Culture Group, this annual celebration has long become one of the most anticipated New Year’s events for music lovers across China. As in previous years, tens of thousands of fans traveled from all over the country to follow the MIDI Festival to this beautiful southern border town where it remains warm as spring, with clear and soft air —Shenzhen.The theme of the year’s MIDI Festival: Stay away from drugs, get close to music. Starting from the first note played by Red Arrow Band, the runners-up of the “I Want to Be on MIDI” Band Competition on the Tang Stage, the Universiade Sports Center transformed into a utopia. Here, there were no drugs or violence, no life worries or work pressures. Tens of thousands of fans escaped anxiety and fear, moved beyond the ordinary and dull, got closer to music, and enjoyed a two-day countdown music carnival.
2016The band Escape Plan was undoubtedly the star of the first night of the carnival. This band, which emerged from the MIDI School of Music, has been one of the most important names in China’s indie music scene in recent years. They became widely known on the MIDI Festival stage and gradually won over more and more people with their youthful, era-defining melodies, moving lyrics, and passionate stage presence, bringing indie music—once only passed on by word of mouth within niche circles—into the mainstream spotlight for the first time. But MIDI remains the most familiar and dazzling stage for Escape Plan. At dusk, as the evening approached, they took the stage to thunderous anticipation. Escape Plan has left many classic memories at the MIDI Festival—the tearful, starry, romantic, and mass-singing moments —all unfoldingon the final day of the year during the MIDI Festival, like a review of the past year in fast-forward. In the process of getting closer to the music, every youth that had once been moved, inspired, or comforted in the past year felt that it had not been lived in vain.The Children’s Stage remained the most adorable and heartwarming spot at the MIDI site. Bands with names alone enough to make you swoon — such as Orange Orchestra, Lingling, Rainbow Candy, and Red Doll — delivered performances no less impressive than those of adult bands. The band from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University“closed out the first day of the Children’s Stage on a high note. The newly added Acoustic Stage showcased the remarkable strength and potential of young bands from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and surrounding cities. Toy Boat from Nan’ao Island in Chaoshan closed out the Acoustic Stage, delivering a playful and unconventional live show that turned the venue into a sea of joy.”On the dimly lit Tang Stage,
Wan Xiaoli took the stage2015to high popularity.
He is obsessed with meticulously refining his music, just as we take seriously every day of our lives. Immediately following him, the Reflector band brought their ever-cheerful music, presenting aToNickperfect
performance for the last day of the year, with the whole crowd singing along to the festival’s theme song “Only Music Is My Cure.”In addition, on the Tang and Warring States stages, bands such as Suffocation, Jade Legion,, Subversion,He was obsessed with refining the music over and over again, just as we have earnestly approached every day of our lives. Immediately following, the Reflector band brought their always joyful music, presenting2015the last day ofthe year with aperfectperformance, as the entire crowd sang along to the festival’s theme song “Music Is My Only Cure.”In addition,on the Tang and Warring States stages, there were performances by Suffocation, Yulin Army,CMCBand Subversion.MNorthern bands such as Dafantian, Xiang Yahong & Band, Island Mood, and Heat Spot delivered electrifying rock performances; international acts included bands fromArms & Sleepersthe United States,Take TwoSingapore, each making their debut at Midi on the Warring States and Tang stages.Bands from Guangdong like Mapang and Xiaoyu,from Taiwan,Beyond Cure,from Hong Kong,Deep InsideEgg Steamed Meat Patty,and others shone brightly on their home turf in Shenzhen“at the main stage,”their outstanding performances adding a touch of southern charm to the Midi Festival and bringing music lovers from afar together like family through their shared love of music.As the last band on the Tang stage, the innovative and highly engaging classical choir — Potstone Choir — finished their set,1516marking the end of the first day of the Shenzhen Countdown Midi Festival. Even as midnight approached, enthusiastic fans lingered in the venue or camping area, singing, playing instruments, hugging, and greeting one another to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
1516The second day of the Shenzhen Countdown Midi Festivalcontinued,featuring performances by top domestic and international artists including Sound Toy, who have won four China Rock Midi Awards, and Pain Youth, who stunned audiences on the stage of "China Star." Ring in the new year with us and get closer to the music.(Text byChen Xiaobei; Photography by Yan Min)