Beijing Midi Festival 2005 [DVD]

 

 

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Maybe not a fancy, cool stylish festival like the ones in Europe, no, there are many bands that sound like cheesy immitations of 60s 70s and 80s bands. But the vibe is unique, these kids are totally keeping it real, and their enthusiasm is as authentic as it can be. Among these mere beginnings of what might become a diverse alternative music culture in China, I just found a few bands that are actually really doing something new.

My personal favourite are the girls from Punk troupe Hang On The Box, as well 'Ye Cha' [rap metal], or XTX and his 3-piece grunge band adding traditional Chinese 'guzheng', which actually works really well together, is worth a look alone

Some strange characters appear off- and on stage, those extra bits on the DVD are hillarious!

Really hoping to see some of these bands coming to Europe!

This two disk set of 2005' Midi Festival in Beijing China features 20 bands, including biographies and interviews.

As big as the Midi festival has grown in recent years, the 2005 DVD set gives a good and excessive overview of the main influential bands in the Chinese rock, punk and metal scene. With performances of Yaksa (including one of their new songs of their 2006 EP), a very good captured accoustic song of the

band Tomahawk (Zhan Fu), electronic-metal trashers AK 47 and pop metal band A Xiu Luo (Ashura) from Chengdu, the film team has made a good job capturing the energy and joy of the audience.

On the rock scene, performances of XTX, one of China's most famous guitar players, Muma (gothic-rock) and oldtimers Cloth (Bu Yi), as well as Chengdu band Sound Toy tell you the story of modern Chinese rock. Interviews with bands and festival goers add to the overall documentation of China's and Beijing's most important modern music festival.

Punkers are not rare in China, and so Brainfailure, Reflector and Hang on the Box had played during the festival. All three of them are presented on DVD showing the power and anger of Chinese punks.

As the only critic point I'd like to add the inconsistent use of PinYin and English names for the bands itself, but being my copy only a promotional one I believe those flaws to have been corrected by the time of major release.

Compared to both the Midi 2004 DVD and the Midi 2002 VCD, quality of sound, filming and general quality have improved. Whereas the 2002 VCD has mostly homemade with DV cameras and featured sometimes strange cuts, the Midi 2004 was a professional production, that though had its flaws in focusing on the bands and the general quality of sound (think of the performances of Suffocated or Yaksa, that lost most of their spirit by bad sound recording).

The Midi 2005 has corrected both flaws and gives you a good two-three hour festival entertainment with the best shots taken from a four day festival, allowing you to dive into the atmosphere, feel with the Chinese fans and see the bands and the festival as if you've been there in the audience, hailing and rocking alongside several ten thousand Chinese. The camera often switches from the main vocals position to the drum kit, the total view, the audience and the other players.

For those interested in the bands and their history, additional band biographies inform well about the importance of each band. Where they come from, what they stand for and what they want to express. Dive into the diversity, rock the stage and enjoy Midi!

Definitely a must-buy for those loving China, loving rock music and those who just wish to combine both. Not to say, it is also a very good on hand resource to those active in the fields of studying Chinese music to understand the spirit.

In three words: Job well done!

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