Strawberry Music Festival Returns This May Day Weekend

The Strawberry Music Festival returns home to Beijing. Well, not exactly – don’t think we’re quite back to the days of having moshpits within the Sixth Ring Road (though Changyang Sports Park hosting the Grammy Festival this weekend does give one hope) – but it’s been some time since Beijing had a proper festival that didn’t feel like it was thrown together last minute in some remote city no one has even heard of. Fact is, festivals and Beijing still don’t get along (see: cancelled Strawberry Fest 2015 and 2017 and this month's Sound of the Xity), so it warms me to see Strawberry nudge its way back this Labor Day weekend – taking place in Yuyang International Ski Resort (located in Pinggu district 70km from the city center) from Sunday, Apr 29 to Tuesday, May 1.

What’s most noticeable about this year’s edition is the lineup. Strawberry (backed by Modern Sky) has been known to recycle its roster year after year with seasoned (or past their prime, depending on your preference) veterans and washed up international acts. This year, however, it looks like the organizers have taken into account the changing musical landscape, particularly in the indie scene, as well as the increasing demand for acts from Japan and Taiwan. It’s also massive, with 100 acts spread across seven stages over three days, with plenty of variety for fans of just about every musical preference. Here’s the basic breakdown (scroll down for a full, translated lineup):

British indie rockers alt-J were a late addition to the Beijing lineup

On the international side of things, esoteric UK indie art-pop outfit alt-J will be sharing the stage with Japanese indietronica outfit The fin. (fresh off two sold-out gigs in Beijing this year already), revered dubstep and garage producer Mala out of the UK, as well as two of Brooklyn's finest noisemakers, cutting-edge electronically-inflicted post-punkers Liars and the all-female psych rockers Habibi. For something a bit more mainstream, check out glitchy J-pop stars illion and Wednesday Campanella. Or for something with a bit more indie cred, catch a few breakout Taiwan acts in the form of indie janglers Deca Joins, retro poppers Sunset Rollercoaster, and math rock trio Elephant Gym.

Wuhan's Chinese Football are one of the bigger local acts gracing the roster

On the local front, there’s Wuhan emo rock torchbearers Chinese Football, Guangzhou and Dalian post-rock heavyweights Zhaoze and Wang Wen, respectively, rap sensations Lil Akin, Young Jack, and collective ONO. In fact, it appears that the metal stage has been ousted in favor of something altogether more post-rock – another sign of the times and one that will leave many mosh heads saddened. As well as megastars Tsai Chin, Hebe Tien, and legendary Dou Wei (which has all sorts of music geeks coming out of hibernation), you'll of course find other Modern Sky regulars like Re-TROS, Omnipotent Youth Society, New Pants, Miserable Faith, and Casino Demon.

However, even those last acts feel like afterthoughts to what looks like one of the festival’s strongest lineups in some time, making the increased prices well worth it (compared to the other festivals this weekend and last, they’re practically a steal). While buses can be caught from Dongzhimen (RMB 50 round-trip), I’d recommend setting up your own transportation and even consider the option of staying overnight. Whatever you decide, you better act fast, as presale tickets are selling out at quite a clip.

It's good to have you back, Strawberry – we're counting down the minutes!

The Strawberry Music Festival runs Apr 29 to May 1, 1-10pm. Single day tickets cost RMB 320 advance or RMB 580 on the day via 228.com.cn and Damai.cn.

Images: MVM Studio, courtesy of the organizers

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