Rock Fest: Grand music festival reviews China’s rock evolution

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For music fans, the three-day Mid Autumn Festival was more than just mooncakes. In the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, a lively outdoor concert featuring scores of China's rock musicians brought fans an extraordinary experience. CGTN's Yang Jinghao has more.

A Mid Autumn concert full of rock and roll.

The Cactus Music Festival held in Chengdu during the Mid Autumn holiday dazzled tens of thousands of music fans with a star-studded lineup, belting out classics for the crowd.

HOU MENGYAOMUSIC FAN "It's fantastic! I was absolutely thrilled!"

Cui Jian, known as the "Godfather of Chinese rock", opened the three-day event with a band - performing his time-honored favorites.

The Black Panther and the Tang Dynasty, two of the most influential Chinese rock bands of the 1980s, had the crowd on its feet - thrilling retro-lovers and young fans alike.

As a rising star in the country's Indie music world, the Second-Hand Rose Band once again stunned fans with their consistently flamboyant look, and unique style.

QU LIHANGMUSIC FAN "I'm from Shandong Province. I came together with some 80 other rock lovers from different parts of the country. We're so excited to see so many big shots here. I think it will probably be the strongest lineup in 10 or even 20 years."

Zorro Xu, a veteran of China's music industry and organizer of the event, calls it "an annual of China's Indie music".

ZORRO XU, PRESIDENTXIAOFENG MUSIC GROUP "Over the past 30 years, Chinese rock music has contributed a lot to the nation's music industry. I just want to review its evolution by inviting musicians and bands from different periods of time. They have recorded the social development with their own works."

Besides the big names, some younger rockers also got rave reviews and fan support.

QING MUSINGER "This is probably the most worthwhile event I have been a part of so far. When I started my music career, I couldn't have imagined that I'd get to perform at such a historic show. I'm so happy to be a witness as well as a participant of this grand event. I have tried my best and feel great now!"

Xu says he has confidence in the future of China's rock music, especially thanks to its youthful acts. And his next goal is to hold the best live music event in Asia and perhaps even the world.

YJH, CGTN, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.