Beijing Music Festivals: May Day, May Day

The May holiday period in China is one of the most important holidays for people in the world’s most populous country. For travellers in Beijing, one of the most exciting parts of this holiday in recent years has been the prevalence of a growing number of music festivals. With the weather getting pleasantly warm and both Chinese and International acts getting ready to rock China’s capital, here is a guide to the best festivals this coming May holiday week in Beijing.
The main festival is the Midi festival, which is run by the Midi School of Music. This festival has been on and off in Beijing for the last few years, but is back in its proper home at Haidian Park from 1st May to the 4th May. There are over 100 acts playing including the mighty Sham 69 from the UK, and local acts such as Carsick Cars, SUBS and Hanggai. With cheap beer and good festival foods such as meat on a stick, mystery meat kebabs and fiery instant noodles, it promises to be a proper Beijing festival experience. Tickets cost 80rmb ($12) for one day or 240rmb ($35) for the full four days. More information about the festival and how to get tickets is available at www.midifestival.com/english

For those who want something a bit more ‘Woodstock’ in terms of hippiness, then perhaps the aptly named Strawberry Festival in Tongzhou District is your best bet. This festival has only been running a couple of years but is staged in a lovely area of green space on the outskirts of the city called the Tongzhou Canal Park. Again there is a mixture of Western and Chinese acts, including Xiu Xiu (America) and Does it Offend You, Yeah? (UK). Local acts include Queen Sea Big Shark and Yaksa, as well as many of the other acts playing at Midi. The festival runs from May 1st to May 3rd and Tickets are roughly the same as Midi with prices ranging from 80rmb for one day to 180rmb for three-day passes. More info on tickets and line-up can be found at http://festival.modernsky.com/sf10/

If you don’t have a day to spare over the holidays, then you can always rock out with the 13 Club Metal Festival on May 1st and May 2nd. Prices are 50rmb for one night from 9pm until late or 80rmb for both nights. Acts include German band Gammalux, US Band Corrupt Absolute and locals acts like SIF and The Falling.