The 2014 Shenzhen MIDI Festival – the Kingship New Year’s Spectacular opened on December 31, 2013, in a spectacular fashion. Spanning three days, the performances will fill the air above the Longgang Universiade Center in Shenzhen with the power of rock, offering fans an unforgettable countdown celebration. The first night’s show kicked off at 4:00 PM and ran until the early hours of January 1, 2014, as tens of thousands of fans counted down together to welcome the new year. Even more memorably, one fan proposed to their partner at the exact moment when 2013 turned into 2014, making a romantic “one life, one lifetime” declaration bloom amidst a sky full of fireworks at the Universiade Center.
Five Stages, East-West Culture Clash, and a Romantic “1314” Countdown
The Tang Stage kicked off the countdown celebrations with a performance by Loulan Box, a band from Xinjiang. This Xinjiang-based group infuses inspiration from folk music into their rock, creating a uniquely styled indie rock that signals how this MIDI Festival—held on the forefront of reform and opening-up—will be a vibrant clash of national and international cultures. The Song Stage also delivered standout acts, with Zuoyou Band taking the stage in the evening for what felt like a “home game.” Having begun their rock journey in Shenzhen, the band holds deep affection for the city. They performed a cover of Beyond’s classic “Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies,” resonating with the crowd through the symbolic power of Cantonese culture. As the night fell and the dream continued, their signature song “Don’t Let the Dream Wake Up” played with its soothing and melodious tune.
Bubble Beatz (SW)
Fairchild (AU)
In addition, the Folk Stage (Ming Stage) became a showcase for ethnic music. The Bao’an Oyster Village Cantonese Opera Troupe from Shenzhen presented an excerpted opera performance, captivating the audience with the artists’ exquisite makeup and precise movements. Bands such as Dulan and Low Wormwood also delivered distinctive folk performances. The Kids’ MIDI Stage put on a “Tale of Two Cities,” with simultaneous New Year parties in Beijing and Shenzhen. Alongside standout performances by bands like Super Little Drummer and Sutang, activities including graffiti, painting, games, and drum lessons kept kids and parents thoroughly entertained, turning it into a festival version of “Where Are We Going, Dad?”
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Low Wormwood
Kids’ MIDI – African Drum Circle Interaction
Kids’ MIDI – Dream Baby
Kids’ MIDI – Tribute to Metal Bands
Kids’ MIDI – Sparrow Band
Renowned Chinese DJ and music critic Zhang Youdai closed out the first day of performances on the Electronic Stage (Yuan Stage). Meanwhile, on the Song Stage, Chinese new-school metal representatives Nightshade ended their headline set with the biggest pogo of the night. On the Tang Stage, veteran Chinese rock hero Wang Yong led his grand fusion band “Wang Yong United”—melding Eastern and Western music—to showcase the beautiful interplay between guzheng, pipa, guitar, and drums. After the Wang Yong United performance, as December 31, 2013, drew to a close, the Tang Stage began a 60-second countdown. With the whole crowd counting down in unison, the year 2014 arrived. Brilliant fireworks exploded in front of the stage, where someone proposed to their loved one under the colorful lights. The vow of “1314” pierced the night sky, marking a day that would remain unforgettable for many.
Wang Yong United
Nightshade
BattleAxe Band
Veteran Fans Return to MIDI
Youdai – DJ
Facilities and Activities Receive Comprehensive Upgrade, Setting New 2014 Benchmark
In addition to the exciting performances, a variety of creative cultural and sports activities onsite enriched the festival experience and were well received by attendees. A photography exhibition by seasoned rock photographers Wang Di and Chai Dongxin attracted a continuous stream of visitors on the first day. Featuring nearly a hundred treasured works, the exhibit almost served as a visual chronicle of Chinese rock, capturing one glorious moment after another.
The Graffiti ART creative activity attracted even more children and parents, who painted and displayed their artwork together. The festival site also featured a climbing area, where KAILAS’s “When Climbing Meets Rock Music” event perfectly blended the energy of rock with the thrill of climbing.
Beyond the rich programming, the festival’s facilities and services also set new standards in 2014. Considering the cooler nighttime temperatures in Shenzhen during winter, multiple heating areas were set up around the venue for audiences to rest and warm up. Moreover, the MIDI Camp—another iconic feature of the festival—offered hot showers. Coupled with spontaneous guitar singing and dancing among the audience in the camp after the shows, it truly became the coziest home for all MIDI lovers.
The first day of the 2014 Shenzhen MIDI Festival – the Kingship New Year’s Spectacular opened perfectly, combining with the fifth MIDI Awards Ceremony. Performances on the second day will continue to thrill at the Shenzhen Longgang Universiade Center.