申城金秋音乐盛会不断 - 2015年08月28日

LOCAL music fans, rejoice! Two of the summer’s most anticipated events — the Midi and the Strawberry festivals — may have been postponed indefinitely, but this fall promises to bring a bevy of thrilling events and performances.

To kick off the music season is the Moma music festival, slated for electronic music lovers. More than 60 musicians and DJs will take the stage at the Expo Park on September 3-5.

On October 17, the 2015 Motour Live festival will roll into the Shanghai Aviation Park in Pudong New Area. The two-day festival will be a celebration of the hottest local music as well as a showcase for classic and exotic cars and motorcycles.

“People in Metropolitan cities like Shanghai are living with cars — we have a passion for motors and at the same time support the concept of green life and environmental protection,” says pop sensation and event organizer Wang Hao.

Wang, who is one of Shanghai’s most famous singer-songwriters, is also an avid collector of motorcycles and vintage cars.

“Car culture is a reflection of urban culture. People can enjoy live music and share their passion for driving at the festival,” Wang adds.

Big names slated to perform include Hong Kong singer and former Beyond member Steve Wong, Singaporean singer-songwriter Chen Huanren, Taiwanese hip-hop sensation MC Hotdog, as well as local bands MJ116 and Top Floor Circus.

“When so many music festivals appear and disappear, you will find what attracts audience in the end is the music itself,” says Sun Mengjin, a local music critic.

Competing with Motour Live is the JZ Festival, which is coming back for its 11th year at the Expo Park.

The theme for this year’s festival is “super jazz.” Organizers say the theme is meant to inspire music fans from all walks of life to experience the joys of top-level international and domestic artists.

The festival’s main lineup includes Joss Stone, Victor Wooten, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chang Shilei and Coco Zhao. Several of these artists will be performing in China for the first time.

Also coming to Expo Park in October, the Simple Life festival will return to Shanghai on October 4 for a second time.

The Simple Life festival began in 2006 in Taipei, Taiwan Province. Today, it is one of China’s largest music and creative lifestyle festivals.

This year’s theme is “we are makers, we are beautiful.” In addition to an exciting independent music lineup, the event is meant to celebrate living a creative and simple lifestyle.

So far, those scheduled to perform include rock star Zhang Chu, folk musicians Li Zhi and Wan Xiaoli, young singers Cheng Bi and Chen Li, as well as the bands Radio Mars, Wu-tiao-ren and Travel Group.

“The participation of young musicians from Chinese mainland will help the festival become a good platform for young artists with independent attitudes toward music and life,” says Zhang Peiren, the co-founder of the festival.

Music festivals coming this fall

Moma

Date: September 3-5

Venue: Expo Park, 1700 Expo Ave, Pudong

Tickets: 150-360 yuan

Echo Park (Black Rabbit)

Date: September 19-20

Venue: Shanghai Rugby Club, 2700 Zhangyang Rd N.

Tickets: 200 yuan/1 day, 300 yuan/2 days

Spring Wave Music and Art Festival

Date: October 1-2

Venue: Greenland Long Island Park, Chongming

Tickets: 180-250 yuan

Storm Electronic Music Festival

Date: October 3-4

Venue: Xuhui Riverside Greenland

Tickets: 380-680 yuan

Simple Life

Date: October 4-6

Venue: Expo Park, 1700 Expo Ave, Pudong

Tickets: 230 yuan

JZ Festival

Date: October 16-18

Venue: Expo Park, 1700 Expo Ave, Pudong

Tickets: 180–280 yuan

Motour Live

Date: October 17-18

Venue: 311 Guozhan Rd, Pudong

Tickets: 158-288 yuan