Much sound and fury

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-25 17:18

Modern Sky Music Festival line-ups

He Yong

One of the pioneers of Chinese rock, He Yong reached the height of fame in May 1994, when he released his first and only album to date, Garbage Dump. His Bell and Drum Towers, a nostalgic journey into the old quarter of Beijing, is popular among music fans.

New Pants

Formed in 1996, the punk band comprises three hutong (small lanes in Beijing) boys. In their early days, they were influenced by the Ramones and in recent years their sound tends to mix 80s disco and electronica.

Carsick Cars

Formed in 2005, the band is made up of guitarist and vocalist Zhang Shouwang, bassist Darkland and drummer Zhong Qiu. They play to great reception at many venues. The band has developed a unique and attractive style based on their thorough understanding of music.

Zhang Chu

One of the most prominent Chinese rock figures of the 1990s, Zhang Chu has largely kept out of the music scene for the past 10 years. Zhang's first offering in 1997, the album Aeroplane Factory, remains popular to this day. Following complaints from fans after the former rock singer played at several live shows, his publicist said he would be back with his well-known poetic tune Sister at the music festival.

Midi Music Festival (foreign line-ups)

Hardcore Superstar

Formed in autumn 1997 in Gothenburg, Sweden, Hardcore Superstar has already built up a strong reputation as one of Sweden's most exciting bands.

El Columpio Asesino

This is one of the most extraordinary and unclassifiable bands of the Spanish independent pop-rock scene. With their own eclectic mix of electronic music, punk spirit, noise and pop melody, they appeared on the scene in 2001 after winning several prestigious contests. Since then, they have been working non-stop, recording and touring in Spain and Mexico.

Hussy Hicks

Julz Parker and Leesa Gentz met in late 2004 and the Aussie duo triggered a musical chemistry, integrating jazz, blues and country female vocals. The Hussy Hicks' music is flavored with a unique mix of influences and the band has been touring overseas in recent years, playing at a range of venues - from coffee houses to huge rock festivals.

China Daily

(China Daily 09/25/2008 page18)