As the final stop of 2014 and the first of 2015 for the Midi Festival, the Shenzhen Countdown Midi Festival will be held as scheduled on December 31 and January 1 at the Shenzhen Universiade Center Plaza. With performances on the Tang, Warring States, and Kid’s Mind stages, 50 Chinese and international bands will join the biggest New Year's Eve rock event in southern China. In addition, the 6th China Rock Midi Awards ceremony will also grandly commence on the first day of the New Year on the Tang stage of the Shenzhen Midi Festival. The annual theme for the 2015 Midi Festival is “The Song Within,” and the original artwork for the theme was created by Zhu Wei, who previously contributed print designs for the 2006 Midi theme “20 Years of Chinese Rock” and the 2012 Midi theme “PM 2.5.”
Recently, the nomination list for the 2014 Midi Brick Award has been announced. Painkiller and Tongue, both receiving multiple nominations, have confirmed their participation in the Shenzhen Countdown Midi Festival. Second Hand Rose, who won the “Standing Committee Special Award” at the 2012 Midi Awards, will perform at the Shenzhen Midi Festival for the first time. Mumaa will continue to lead everyone on a marvelous journey of “sound, electricity, and light.” Among the “veterans and newcomers” performing at the Shenzhen Midi Festival are Wan Zhong, a heavy band formed by former Armory frontman Ying Peng, and the Wave Band, consisting of former Joyside members Bian Yuan, Liu Hao, Fan Bo, and Guan Zheng, bringing totally different musical styles to fans. Ethnic folk band Mo Xi Zi Shi, Zhao Wei’s Zhi Xing Zhe Band, as well as popular new and veteran bands in recent years such as 上s, Island Mood, Lost Train, Hedgehog, Big Wave, Ideal Lover, will join long-standing Chinese rock mainstays at Midi like Reflector, Subvert M, Buyi, and Wang Wen. Together with thousands of Midi fans, they will revel onsite in this rock-themed New Year celebration.
Project Ace, a group of six seasoned independent musicians from Guangdong and Hong Kong, Metalcore band Jing Lin who performed at the 2013 Shenzhen Midi Festival, young band The MUFF active in Guangdong, Guangzhou-based Screamo/Post-Hardcore band Sha Chong Shui, Guangzhou heavy band Liu Dao Mu, independent Zhuhai band Lao Fo Ye, and Shenzhen Longgang’s Xia Mu Cao Band will all showcase the spirit of local Guangdong rock as hosts.
The Hong Kong and Macau lineup includes Macau’s Fall To Fly, Hong Kong’s new-school punk band Defiant Scum, as well as heavy bands like Chochukmo, E-Man, and Soul of Fire making strong appearances. The international lineup features world-class acts such as British pop-punk newcomers The Bottom Line and Australian hardcore punk band Clowns, who will share diverse musical experiences with Chinese audiences.
Remember the little troublemakers who wowed the Kid’s Mind stage at last year’s Shenzhen Midi? These kids, with an average age of 8, have trained for a year and are ready to kick off a national tour with their new album, debuting new works at this event. The Drum Tang Experimental Percussion Ensemble, after paying tribute to metal bands last year, will also bring huge surprises to kids and parents this year. Earlier bands like Meat Sucks and Bubblegum will serve as role models with stellar performances, and interactive games like “Dora & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” await enthusiastic participation from children. Youth bands such as Tao Times African Drum Group, Dou Drum Brothers, GREEN BLUES, Star Band, Vector Junior Band, Dream Baby Band, Blue Dreams, and Tornado will also deliver passionate performances that showcase youthful energy and spark strong interest in modern instrumental music among young audiences.
Winter is coming, and the Midi Festival’s rock train is about to arrive in the beautiful Lingnan region. Alongside the 6th Midi Awards ceremony, the 1415 Shenzhen Countdown Midi Festival is just around the corner. We look forward to reuniting warmly with Midi fans and counting down together to the New Year 2015.