To mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, top Chinese rock'n'roll bands and singers will gather in Beijing's Workers Stadium tomorrow to perform a string of revolutionary songs.

It will be the largest performance ever staged by Chinese rock stars.

While most commemorations highlight the cruelty and suffering of war, this concert, entitled "The Sky of Peace," is intended to celebrate the victory over fascism and highlight the pride and honour of the Chinese people.

Organizers of the concert describe it as a "red rock" event, but response about it has been mixed.

Some accuse the performers of yielding to commercialism and losing the essential spirit of rock independence and rebellion. Most others, including the singers and bands themselves, say it will be the beginning of the remaking of the public image of Chinese rock.

"For many years, due to the public's misunderstanding of rock music, rock stars have seldom been invited to join shows with social and charity themes. This concert will be an opportunity for them to increase their exposure," said Wang Xiaofeng, a Beijing music critic.

Rock star Wang Feng said he believes the concert will advance the development of Chinese rock music, though it does not spell the beginning of it gaining mainstream popularity.

Rock band Heibao (Black Panther) said: "Many people think that to be a rocker, you have to be scruffy, long haired and semi-hysterical. That's wrong. Rock has many forms. Red rock is not a yielding to commercialism, it is just the theme of this certain concert."

And Siqingerile, a female singer from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said: "Rock has not yielded to any force. It has not been commercialized. But the era is changing, the understanding (of rock) is also changing."

For rock fans, it will be just a big party, a rare opportunity for them to listen to their best-loved bands and singers.

Performers and bands booked include Cui Jian, Zheng Jun, Zhang Chu, Wang Feng, Han Hong, Black Panther, Tang Dynasty and Second Hand Rose a line up that includes almost all important Chinese rock figures.

Wong Koon Chung (Huang Guanzhong), a member of the legendary Hong Kong rock band Beyond, will also be playing.

Tickets are priced 100, 200 and 300 yuan (US$12, 24 and 36), very low compared with most pop concerts here. But the bad news is the organizers report the 100 yuan tickets sold out a week ago.

(China Daily 06/30/2005 page13)