Upon the sudden cancellation of Beijing’s Midi Festival in May, speculation swirled around the possible rescheduling of the event over the upcoming October holiday, and what that would mean for the Modern Sky Festival, which, like Midi, was set to take place in Haidian Park.
Now comes word from Midi that they won’t be sharing a venue with Modern Sky, though it’s still uncertain whether there will be a direct time conflict. In an August 20 press release, festival organisers accounced that they have signed a venue-use agreement with the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Beijing, and are now awaiting the relevant permits from the Chaoyang District Culture Commission, fire department, Public Security Bureau, etc…
Meanwhile, we have confirmation from the folks at Modern Sky that their event will take place as planned in Haidian Park over the October holiday, and will feature only Chinese acts. Midi is planning its festival for the same holiday period, but are holding off on giving more specifics of the schedule until (knock on wood!) they get their licenses sorted.
Photo from Midi 2007, by Keso
I was talking about this briefly with Brad F and Jordan from BCR at YYT on friday. Apparently, Midi and Modern Sky are doing it separately because of a falling out of sorts. Or rhather a failure to come together. That’s pure rumour though.
Either way it’s a pity. They should defo run it like larger festivals in other countries – one festival where there’s a Modern Sky tent or sponsored stage as well as the main stage.
Anyone got an in with the organisers and wants to suggest it
??
I know what you mean, Andy. Nice in theory, but I think both entities are trying to build their own festival name, and let’s face it, for 3-4 days of programming each, they will be after a majority of the same artists.
My feeling is that any other year, it will work nicely. Midi in the May holiday and Modern Sky in the October one.
A final note, they are slightly different festivals. Midi retains a very altruistic attitude towards their event. My belief is that Modern Sky want to create something more commercially viable…
Thanks for keeping up the discussion!
http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2008-08-25/17252144680.shtml
http://ent.sina.com.cn/y/2008-08-22/13392142445.shtml
not more for the moment..
at the olympic venue? ha! bet that means we’re going to have the metal detectors everywhere again and be told to keep to our seats– im just playin… im sure itll be great still.
to be honest have been sick of hearing so many rumours about it; its all anyone can talk about; where it is, is it or is it not going to happen, whos playing, (GO prox buttf!), together w/modernsky blah blah blah i dont care where it is or what they’ll call it or any laobans having falling outs with other laobans- i just want some music on the october holidays!!
( but oh yeah i do want to know who’s playing still so please add to the rumour train
)