Ready to rock

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-24 11:01

Midi Music School - the organizer of China's first outdoor music festival, Midi Music Festival - will stage two nighttime concerts this weekend to celebrate its 10th anniversary, at 798 art district.

The school, the graduates of which are among the top acts in the capital's live houses and clubs, will also inaugurate the Chinese Rock Awards.

Several artists, including Carsick Cars, New Pants, Perde, Xie Tianxiao and Zuoxiao Zuzhou, have been nominated for honors in 10 categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rock Band.

The school's head Zhang Fan says the awards will boost China's rock 'n' roll market and expose fans to more of the genre's musicians.

The event comes shortly after China's first national radio rock program, Chinese Rock Music Chart, was launched on Oct 12.

Zhang says Chinese are getting more chances for exposure to rock 'n' roll beyond outdoor festivals.

This weekend's lineup will feature Xie Tianxiao, New Pants, The Verse, Brain Failure, SUBS, AK47, Muma and The Third Party.

On Saturday at 706 Factory Zone of 798, Jiuxiaoqiao Lu, Chaoyang district. 100 yuan. 400-610-3721, 6417-0068

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