“Hi！ROCK” Beach, Rock, and Raffles — The High-Energy Qijin Ocean Music Festival

▲ Summer ocean music festivals have become a major trend. The photo shows large crowds attending the Gongliao International Music Festival. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau / Archive photo)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

Summer ocean music festivals have become a major trend, and Kaohsiung is no exception. The Qijin District Office of Kaohsiung City is hosting the “Hi！ROCK 2013 Qijin Ocean Music Festival,” which will take place from today (the 6th) to the 21st at Qijin Seaside Park. The series of events features five main “Hi” themes, including beach volleyball, a rock newcomers competition, and rock concerts. The organizers are also offering round-trip air tickets to Jeju Island, South Korea, as a raffle prize to attract visitors.

▲ “Hi！ROCK 2013 Qijin Ocean Music Festival” event. (Photo / Sourced from the 2013 Qijin Ocean Music Festival Facebook fan page)

This year’s Qijin Ocean Music Festival coincides with the completion of the Qijin Coastal Protection Project, which has extended the Qijin beach area by 20 to 50 meters — great news for the beach volleyball competition that kicks off the festival. Preliminary matches will be held at 1 p.m. on the 6th and 7th in the indoor stadium on the 3rd floor of the Globe Shopping Mall at Zuoying Station. The finals will take place at 4 p.m. on the 13th at Qijin Beach, with the top three teams winning cash prizes and medals.

At 4 p.m. on the 13th, the “ROCK POWER Rock Newcomers Competition” will see 13 bands competing for a total prize pool of NT$60,000, with singer Bii also appearing to cheer on the contestants. Starting at 6 p.m. on the 14th and 20th, the “ROCKBAND Rock Soul Concert” will feature performances by bands such as FUN4, Flower Century, and Chemical Monkeys. On both evenings, LED-vested models will join EDM fashion shows for high-energy dance performances.

▲ “Hi！ROCK 2013 Qijin Ocean Music Festival” event. (Photo / Sourced from the 2013 Qijin Ocean Music Festival Facebook fan page)

After enjoying beach volleyball and live music, there are more perks. Organizers say that during the event, visitors who shop at designated Qijin stores and food stalls, collect points, and take photos with the on-site art installations can earn raffle tickets. Collecting three different colored points earns you a lottery ticket, with the grand prize being a round-trip ticket to Jeju Island, South Korea, worth NT$18,000. Other prizes include Mini Cooper accessories and Tatung appliances, with total prize values exceeding NT$100,000.