Filled with hot dances and passionate songs, Huaqiangbei - one of Shenzhen's most crowded shopping areas - was transformed into a vibrant party venue on Sept 8, ushering in one of this summer's last feverish frenzies.

Young girls screamed when the five members of Chinese boy band Mr. TyGer arrived at Huaqiang Square. The band had only emerged in the music scene earlier this year, but has quickly won over the country's teen audiences with songs combining pop, rhythm and blues and hip-hop. Their dynamic performances with complicated choreography on stage spread joy and a sense of magic among both loyal fans, who were clustered near the edge of the stage, and passers-by in the shopping area. Besides Huaqiangbei, 15 other shopping areas, including King Glory Plaza, Coco Park, Central Walk, OCT-LOFT and Sea World, also set up open-air podia to join the "I Love Shenzhen 98 Music & Arts Festival 2018" on Sept. 8 ("98" refers to Sept 8). Presented by Alliance Art Group and True Color, the festival featured more than 100 hip-hop, rock, ballad and electronic music performances in shopping areas, bars and restaurants from Dongmen in the east to Nantou to the west.

"The 98 Music & Arts Festival is an event where local communities come together, have a great time and enjoy great performances free of charge. The main purpose is to give back to local music lovers and shoppers," said Xu Xiaoying, executive director of Alliance Art Group. She said the organizers were inspired by the Fete de la Musique in France and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Britain - two world-famous music celebrations where citizens play music in the open in their neighborhoods or in public spaces for fun.

Organizers of the festival, now in its third year, also offered discounts to several popular restaurants and bars in town on Sept 8.

(HK Edition 09/21/2018 page8)