2017The first day of the Refreshing Yulin Sandy Land Music Festival ended under a light drizzle. The timeless emotion delivered by Wong Ka Keung, the edgy allure of Second-Hand Rose, the profound intensity of Wan Qing, the stormy energy of Bi Xia’s live set, and the breakthrough moment of Underground Babies lingered vividly in the minds of attendees. The interplay of musical styles, as raindrops touched each fan’s body and heart, truly embodied the refreshing spirit of Yulin.
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The second day dawned sunny and bright, with miles of clear blue sky. The performance venue, the Shaanxi Yulin National Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Zone, was an oasis amidst the sandy expanse — a fleeting moment of tenderness hidden within the vast land. Much like the bands performing that day, most hailing from the northwest, their rugged exteriors, forged by the loess soil, concealed pure and tender hearts — a legion of music born from the northwest.
Before the "Northwest Legion" took the stage,2016the youth champion of the Kids’ Music National Band Competition, Vector, kicked off the second day’s performances. A group of middle school boys and girls stepped onto the stage and instantly shone, unleashing punk and nu-metal energy like a sudden storm, igniting the enthusiasm of the older fans below.
Feng Xiaorong’s band, built upon the most authentic northern Shaanxi musical traditions and fused with various modern styles, features iconic folk instruments such as the sanxian, suona, and dizi as its foundation. Their powerful and resonant music heralded the arrival of the “Northwest Legion.”
Ma Fei’s distinctly flavored Shaanxi-dialect folk songs have been widely sung across the northwest for years. “Chang’an County” is a household name in Xi’an streets, and “I Can…”chuais another smash hit. They performed on-stage about everyday life — commuting, drinking, dating girls — infecting fans with the unique humor of northwestern men. The audience formed circles, played train games, and splashed water, enjoying themselves just as their lyrics go — “You have Penghu Bay, I have Chang’an County.”
The Ningxia-based Bu Yi Band, having been active for 22 years, has long been an undisputed representative of northwest music. Even before they took the stage, the audience began singing along. As the intro to their first song played, the atmosphere ignited. Lead singer Wu Ningyue’s commanding stage presence and timeless classics turned the venue into a wild celebration where rock 'n' roll and liquor intertwined. Bu Yi’s…22Number train surged into the boundless wilderness.
As Bu Yi’s voices echoed, the sun dipped below the horizon, sunlight filtered through the sands and bathed the oasis. Against the setting sun, the silhouettes of northwestern men showed broad chests and strong arms. Northwest music grew wildly from this loess land. The performances of the Northwest Legion came to a close. An unexpected drizzle brought a refreshing chill to the passionate crowd, paving the way for Reflector to take the stage. As a member of the legendary Chinese punk movement “Boring Army,” Reflector’s punk spirit accompanied countless youths as they grew up. Today, with a seasoned and powerful stage presence, Reflector transformed the venue into a jubilant sea of punk rock.
Escape Plan was another highly anticipated band. Every live performance of theirs carries a strong romantic touch. On the refreshing sands of Yulin, thousands of starry lights shimmered, flowing through the night sky along with beautiful melodies.
Zheng Jun took the stage last. Over the thirty years of China’s rock music flourishing, he, along with Zhang Chu and Xu Wei — these three names from Xi’an — stepped beyond the ancient city walls and left the indelible mark of rock 'n' roll on this millennia-old capital. Performing on his home turf, Zheng Jun delivered emotionally rich songs like “Chang’an Chang’an” and “Wind Horse,” which resonate deeply with regional identity. He earned the greatest enthusiasm from the crowd. Every piece of land, every city, has been sung about by those who love it. The grandeur and vastness of the northwest, love and the girls — on this night, these echoes resonated in everyone’s hearts.
The final note faded into the air,2017and the Refreshing Yulin Sandy Land Music Festival came to a romantic close. Lingering in our minds were the songs and the sight of wild geese flying overhead. Busy people departed from here, heading to all corners of the world, leaving behind a comfortably cool memory from late summer — one to be remembered when we meet again in the future. (Text by Chen Xiaobei; Photos by Yan Min)
