Founded 13 years ago in Wuhan, the Music Day has since beaten in the hearts of many cities in China. The recipe for its success is simple: young talents are unearthed from the four corners of France and the world. The result is an eclectic program that wakes up the rap, rock and electronic scenes with free outdoor concerts.
This year, fans of new musical sensations in Shanghai will have the joy of discovering Rendez-Vous, Pi Ja Ma, Lewis OfMan, Dream Can, rappers GALI, KOZAY and CATI2, and Loft Beach at the festival from June 21-23.
Rendez-Vous
Formed in 2012, Rendez-Vous is a French post-punk band from Paris. They released their first EP in 2014, followed by a second in 2016 that was a big hit. In June 2018, the band unveiled the track 'Double Zero,' an initial single that announced the release of their first album in October. Following the arrival of a new drummer and the release of their new album at the end of the year, the five musicians set off on a European tour – a chance to get venues rocking across the continent with their cold wave, post-punk sound. Their name is a both romantic and a little bit dark, without taking itself too seriously: 'rendez-vous' sounds sweet, while their music has a jolting, wrenching quality to it. The band will be visiting China for the Music Day before flying to other destinations in Asia and the United States to carry on with their tour.
Pi Ja Ma
Pi Ja Ma: It is under this mischievous scene name that Pauline de Tarragon and Axel Concato portray the problems of adults in the manner of a child and distort them until they give them a new meaning. He composes while she sings. From this obvious complicity, a first EP pop folk was born in 2016 featuring 'Radio Girl' and 'By The River.' They are back in 2019 with the album Nice to Meet You and the single 'Family.'
Lewis OfMan
He might only be 20 years old but this young electronic music prodigy has already collaborated with Lana Del Rey and Fakear. As a solo artist, his unique tracks have made him the talk of the town. Entirely self-taught, he has his own style that is both spacey and light.
Originally a drummer, Lewis OfMan is now a well-known artist for both his compositions and his lyrics. The year 2018 confirmed his arrival on the French music scene, and he has completed several tours both in France and on the other side of the Atlantic. He also featured on Rejie Snow’s latest album. As he confided during an interview: “More generally, it’s foreignness that inspires me... coming into contact with new energies, new life perspectives, that’s what gives me the power to create new things!” So being in China for the Music Day may be just the opportunity he needs to find his inspiration.
As Lewis OfMan stated during an interview: “There is my three-part release 'I Think of You,' which comes out on June 1. It brings together three songs that I am very happy with and that will better show who I am today. A new EP is also planned for 2019, which I hope will give people an even better idea of what I am about!”
Dream Can
Formed in Shanghai in 2014, Dream Can first attracted the beginnings of a national audience with their breakout performance at Maybe Mars’ Independent China in Stereo showcase in 2015 in Beijing. The Chinese capital is ground zero for the freshest sounds in the country, but Dream Can caught its Beijing audience off guard with their pitch-perfect mix of meltdown psychedelia and introspective, melancholic indie rock.
Dream Can is impressively tight for a band that’s only been together for four years, but their appeal isn’t only based on their technical ability. Channeling the madness and exploratory sonic drive of forerunners such as Acid Mother Temple, and adopting the often grim view of modern life best embodied by the lyrics and tone of Joy Division, Dream Can provides a counterargument to China’s new era of prosperity, speaking for – and soundtracking – the cultural underground of youth less obsessed with the pursuit of money than the quest to make meaning of the chaotic half-dream of reality.
Rappers GALI, KOZAY and CATI2
Top rapper GALI has stood out in recent years in the hip-hop music circle in China with meaningful lyrics. Shanghai rapper KOZAY has excellent rap and an infectious sound. Long before being crowned the Rap of China Wangyiyun Music Champion, he had already won the title of Shanghai Rap Emperor. He has now become the benchmark for Shanghai rappers.
KOZAY
CATI2
The original rapper Cati2 has always used rap to tell the story of the culture of Shanghai. Cati2 is a cross-border fashion rapper, using music to convey the culture that attracts the youth and endowing the brand with a certain charm.
Loft Beach
The music of Loft Beach interweaves the psychedelic quality of the 1960s and retro spirit of the 1990s. The clear tone of guitar and the pleasing vocal melody create a very powerful live sound, like a drift, which fills the entire space with a carefree quality. With a unique interpretation of freedom and reality by young Asians, Loft Beach brings you back to the colorful memories.
Registration
Admission: Free
Date: Friday June 21-23
Time: 5.30-11.30pm
Venue: Minsheng Art Museum @YUNSPACE
Address: Building 3, Jiang’an Xinyefang, 210 Wenshui Road, Jiang’an District, Shanghai
Scan the QR Code for the entire program of Fête de la Musique from June 21-23!
[All images via promoter]
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