Modern Sky takes over Expo Park for their fourth annual music festival for the May holiday and they've just released their full line-up. This year's festivities has a distinctly British feel with dubstep rockers Modestep headlining on April 30, the Grammy nominated future house duo Disclosure headlining on May 1 and electronica giants The Prodiy headlining on May 2.
As usual, a mix of standout domestic bands on the Modern Sky label and upstarts from around the world will fill out three other stages while the Release Stage is dedicated to some of the country's top DJs and producers, including Shanghai fixtures like Conrank, Ben Huang, Cavia and Misloop. Three-day passes are currently available for the early-bird prices of RMB600 with single-day passes going on sale later ranging from RMB240-300. The full line-up can be found here and for more, check out our feature on Modern Sky's rise from an outlet for university friends to release their band's albums to the biggest independent music company in China that hosts sold-out music festivals in New York's Central Park.
Still not hyped? Check out our 10 picks of can't miss acts and stay tuned for our full Strawberry Music Festival preview.
Disclosure
The Lawrence brothers may have been raised by professionally rocking parents but they've made their mark with their distinct take on house. Both of their albums have been nominated for Grammy Awards while their game-changing debut Settle topped the UK charts buoyed by Top 10 singles 'White Noise' and 'You & Me.' Critically revered around the world, Disclosure has become festival veterans wowing crowds from Coachella to Glastonbury. Last year's Caracal featured collaborations with star singers like the Weeknd, Sam Smith and Miguel.
May 1, 8.30-9.20pm. Strawberry Stage.
The Prodigy
The electronica icons were already underground favorites with classic albums like Music for the Jilted Generation before they became one of the faces of the short-lived electronica craze of the late 90s. Classic tracks from their time like 'Firestarter' and 'Breathe' remain festival bangers but the group remains vital. Last year's The Day is My Enemy was their sixth straight UK Albums chart-topping disc. Six years in the making, it's also their most collaborative album and features the most active songwriting contributions from mouthpieces Keith Flint and Maxim.
May 2, 8.05-9.20pm. Strawberry Stage.
Modestep
The London electronic rockers formed in 2010 and hit it big with their 2013 debut album Evolution Theory, which spawned five singles and topped the UK Dance Albums chart. While they've undergone some lineup changes, the group has capably rebounded with last year's sophomore disc London Road. However, it's on the stage where Modestep make their biggest mark with the diverse group rocking the main stages at Miami's dancecentric Ultra Music Festival to the more rocking Reading Festival.
Apr 30, 8.30-9.20pm. Strawberry Main Stage.
Second Hand Rose featuring Special Guest
What a wild journey for arguably China's most original rock bands. 15 years ago, they were bringing their distinct mix of the Northern folk tradition of er ren zhuan (a saucy dance between a boy and a girl involving twirling red fans and sassy dialogue) with Western rock to bemused audiences at underground clubs. Now, they're Strawberry Music Festival institutions who have performed at Beijing's Workers Stadium and toured America, without sacrificing their prettiest qipaos. They return to the festival ready to take on all-comers to their crown as "China's most seductive folk rock band."
May 2, 6.30-7.30pm. Strawberry Stage.
Queen Sea Big Shark
The Beijing surfers have been a Mainland indie-institution since roaring out of the gates with their 2007 surf-rock debut. While their follow-up disc Wave remains a dance-punk touchdown, they've put away their synths for their triumphant third disc To Wild Heart. Featuring online hits like 'Bling Bling Bling' and 'Mammoth,' the group will be back in Shanghai just a couple weeks after bringing their national album release tour to MAO Livehouse on April 16. Consistently entertaining, do yourself a favor and catch both shows. For more, check out our feature on Queen Sea Big Shark.
Apr 30, 7-8pm. Strawberry Main Stage.
Pissed Jeans
The Pennsylvania rockers tap into the spirit of 1980s hardcore with their New York Times approved “loud, heavy, noisy, punk rock.” They’re signed to the iconic Sub Pop indie label and have a blistering live show that recently led Fuse TV to pick them as one of the must-see artists to catch at South by Southwest.
Apr 30, 4.30-5.30pm. Love Stage.
New Pants
Described as China's Richard Branson, Modern Sky founder Shen Lihui first began the company to release the debut albums from his university band Sober and friends Supermarket and New Pants. While Shen has put the guitar away, both Supermarket and New Pants remain indie institutions in the country with both performing at this year's Strawberry Music Festival. Dance-rockers New Pants were the first Chinese band to play Coachella and backed up the Mainland's original disco diva Zhang Qiang on 2013's sublime No Question of Disco. While there hasn't been a full-length since, the group has been releasing singles like the recent 'Do You Want to Dance?' that shows the quartet gracefully maturing into elder statesmen of the scene.
May 2, 5-6pm. Strawberry Stage.
Pet Conspiracy
The band that brough electro-clash to Beijing remain absolute monsters live where their flamboyant theatrics are perfectly matched by hard-hitting beats. While they haven't released a disc since former frontwoman Helen Feng left to start the equally awesome Nova Heart, Pet Conspiracy continue to be beloved. Last year, they signed with Modern Sky and performed an ecstatic show at Arkham to a packed house. While we continue to have our fingers crossed for a new album and a national club tour, it's not a bad consolation prize if this Strawberry show is the quartet's lone Shanghai date. As their rousing performance at the Tudou Festival last year shows, Pet Conspiracy is tailor-made for the festival experience.
May 1, 6-7pm. Love Stage.
Zuo Xiao Zu Zhou
Since co-founding No in 1994, Zuo has established himself as one of China’s most provocative artists. He's a pioneer member of the avantgarde artist commune Beijing East Village, a respected novelist and poet. The self-taught musician is known for his unique violin style and albums like 2008’s opus You Know Where the East Is are certified classics.
May 1, 7-8pm. Strawberry Stage.
Da Bang
The Beijing quartet broke out of the city’s rock band in 2008 with a gut-busting dance-punk sound. However, the group has matured as seen by the New Wave flourishes on their standout 2012 Celebration EP. While they have released several singles online and did a mini-tour of the country a couple years ago, they have yet to still release a follow-up. And even though it’s now five years since their lone full-length album dropped, Da Bang remains this writer’s favorite Mainland band.
Apr 30, 2.20-2.50pm. Love Stage.
Strawberry Music Festival: Apr 30-May 2, 1-9.30pm, RMB240-300 (single day passes) or RMB600-800 (three-day passes). Expo Park, tickets.
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