Rock music, a young and volatile import to China in the 1980s, subtly reflects our society's changes in a unique way. People still can recall the huge success of the first rock music album in China, Rock 'n' Roll On the New Long March by Chinese rock guru Cui Jian in 1987.

For those who are enthusiastic about the Chinese rock scene or have been missing the past glory of rock, they will have a night to celebrate. Nearly all the Chinese rock bands, which have witnessed the birth of China's home grown rock music, will gather together in Beijing, for a concert entitled Stand Up.

Early local rock bands like Tang Dynasty and Panthers (pictured below), together with other recent influential rock bands like Zero Point, Again (pictured above), Heaven, and Yan will come together at one stage on April 4. Their concert is dedicated to their mutual friend Li Guoqiang, one of the best sound engineers in China, who is suffering from cancer. He has worked with Cui Jian, Zang Tianshuo and many others.

"He is not very famous but his contribution to Chinese rock is huge," said Again guitarist Li Qiang. "We dedicate the concert to him, the backstage hero, hoping he will recover soon."

The Tang Dynasty band was formed in 1988, the first heavy metal act in China. Its first record, Tang Dynasty, sold 2 million copies in Asia, demonstrating the commercial potential of Chinese rock music. The group has gone through various live-ups during its 20-year history and incorporates Chinese bamboo flutes, gongs and the like into its orchestration.

Another big name is the Panthers, which formed in 1987. The Panthers were once the highest-selling rock band in China. Their album No Place to Hide popularized rock music among Chinese youngsters during the 1980s. After the departure of its lead singer Dou Wei in 1992, it continued to make albums, but their influence began to fade. Since the end of the 1990s, rock music in the mainland has been severely threatened by pop music from Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the struggle between the ideal of independent art and the reality of the commercial world, many rockers chose to submit to the real world, or at least tried to find a balance between the two. They are seen by insiders as traitors to the spirit of independent rock.

Chen Nan

80-100 yuan. 8pm, April 4. The Star Live. 6425-5166.

(China Daily 03/28/2007 page13)