The Midi Music Festival brings non-stop rock to the capital, with acts performing day and night from May 1-4.

A total of 90 bands will perform on five stages, including 67 from China and 23 from around the world. Haidian Park hosts acts during the day, while concerts will be held each night at the Star Live.

Tickets: 100 yuan (four-day pass), 50 yuan (one-day). Purchase at the gate of Haidian Park, located at the Wanquanhe Bridge on Northwest Fourth Ring Road; or 50 yuan per night performance at the Star Live, located at Hepingli Xijie, north of Yonghegong Bridge on the North Second Ring Road. Tel: 6259-0101.

The following is a selected introduction to some of the best bands.

Main Stage

Cruxshadows, a Florida-based goth band, has risen to become internationally recognized as one of the most popular Darkwave bands of all time. Over the past decade the band's success in the gothic, new wave and dark electronic genres has earned it a massive and devoted following. (May 4, 6:50-7:40pm)

The Face, founded in 1989 as China's first pop metal band. The band gets back together only for big shows. (May 4, 2:40-3:30pm)

AK47, Midi veterans since 2000, a neo-industrial metal band with a huge fan base. (May 3, 8:30-9:20pm)

Locksley, named best new band in 2005 by Billboard, combines the melody, harmony and songwriting ethos of the '60s with the performance sensibilities of modern garage bands. (May 2, 8-8:50pm)

Hatesphere, Danish melodic, death/thrash metal band, is one of a handful of bands reigniting the flame of '80s speed metal by way of the so-called Scandinavian neo-thrash movement. (May 1, 8:30pm-9:20pm).

Soundtrack of Our Lives is a Swedish rock band that formed in 1995 from ashes of punk band Union Carbide Productions. (May 3, 9:20pm-9:50pm)

Gibson Stage

Soulfound, formed in Florida in 1999, draws from influences like At the Drive-in, Pearl Jam, Rush, The Police and Led Zeppelin to fuse together the bravado of progressive, the attitude of punk and the sensitivity of indie rock to create their trademark sound. (May 1, 6pm-6:50pm)

Good Time Charlie, the godfathers of authentic blues in Norway, has always been a hard-working road band and have survived because of their dedication to tradition and style and the spirit of the music. (May 2, 4:20-5:10pm)

8mm Overdose, Honolulu Thrash trio debuted under the former title of MACHINE in 1997. Over 10 years of live shows and four previous CD releases. Has the distinction of being the only American heavy metal band ever to extensively tour mainland China. (May 3, 2:40-3:30pm)

Gammalux, an original rock band from Germany, released their first album in China with lyrics translated into Chinese. (May 3, 6:50-7:40pm)

Last Chance of Youth, the most popular indie hardcore band in Beijing. (May 4, 4:20-5:10pm)

Slap, founded in 1998 with the goal to redefine folk music, put their deep love for Chinese tradition into their songs. (May 3, 5:10pm)

Midi Schedule at the Star Live

Shows from 10pm at the Star Live from May 1-5. 50 yuan for each show.

May 1

SUBS, Beijing garage-punk band; Wulfgang, Icelandic alternative rock band; and Rock Hard Power Spray, from Denmark, raunchy garage-rock

May 2

Hades, doom-death metal band; Yaksa, hardcore band; and Suffocation, thrash metal; El Caco, winner of the Best Norwegian metal album 2005; and Hatesphere, Danish neo-thrash act

May 3

Cruxshadows, American Goths; 8mm Overdose, American hardcore; Locksley, American British-invasion rockers

May 4

Liquido, German pop-rockers; Ruins, Beijing spacey rockers; Crimea, British indie rock

May 5

PK14, Beijing post-punk; Soundtrack of Our Lives, Swedish indie rock giants

(China Daily 04/25/2007 page17)