Ever wondered how China’s music festival scene exploded from underground gigs to massive cultural events? Over the past decade, these festivals have become more than just concerts—they’ve shaped China’s youth culture, introduced global stars, and launched domestic legends. From rock to EDM, let’s dive into the festivals that defined an era.
Strawberry Music Festival: China’s Answer to Coachella
Launched in 2009, Strawberry became the face of China’s festival boom by 2014. Imagine 150,000 fans screaming for The Libertines or Chinese rock god Cui Jian—this was Strawberry at its peak. Unlike Western fests, it pioneered a multi-city format, hitting over 10 locations yearly. Post-pandemic, it’s quieter, but still a heavyweight. If you wanted to see where indie met mainstream in China, this was the place.
MIDI Music Festival: The Godfather of Chinese Rock
Started in 2000, MIDI is the OG of Chinese rock fests. The 2015 Zhuhai edition was legendary—three days of camping, mosh pits, and bands like Miserable Faith. Even as festivals got commercial, MIDI kept its gritty soul. The 2019 “School of Rock” edition packed 60,000 metalheads. Want proof China’s rock scene is alive? MIDI’s still here, loud and proud.
Modern Sky Festival: Indie’s Playground
Modern Sky Entertainment’s flagship fest broke out in 2016 with 80,000 fans in Shanghai. It was all about indie darlings like Hedgehog and Queen Sea Big Shark. Ever watched a festival in VR? Modern Sky did it first in 2018. With spin-offs like Echo Park, it’s stayed fresh by targeting Gen Z. Think of it as the cool older sibling of China’s festival family.
Storm Festival: When EDM Took Over China
From 2015-2017, Storm was where EDM ruled. Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren—they all brought the drops to Shanghai. The 2016 show smashed records with 50,000 ravers. It proved China could throw down like Ibiza. But by 2018, financial woes shut the party down. Still, without Storm, Creamfields China might not exist.
JUE Festival: For the Music Nerds
JUE was the thinking fan’s festival from 2014-2019. No massive crowds—just avant-garde electronic and jazz across Shanghai and Beijing. Partnering with Sonar Barcelona, it brought sounds you wouldn’t hear elsewhere. Sadly, boutique vibes couldn’t compete with big budgets. If you missed it, you missed something special.
Zebra Music Festival: Chengdu’s Pride
Zebra put Southwest China on the map in 2017. Hip-hop was still underground then, but Zebra bet on it early. Add Sichuan’s fiery cuisine and local culture, and you had a fest with flavor. Today, it’s smaller but still a hometown hero. Proof that regional fests can shine just as bright.
YOLO Youth Festival: Hip-Hop’s Big Break
After “The Rap of China” blew up, YOLO became hip-hop’s temple from 2018-2020. Gai, Vava, Higher Brothers—they all rocked YOLO’s stage. It showed rap could sell tickets, not just streams. Then came the 2021 crackdowns, and YOLO went quiet. But for a hot minute, it was the revolution.
Taihu MIDI: The Lakeside Rebel
Imagine moshing by a lake near Shanghai—that was Taihu MIDI’s magic from 2016-2019. Camping, folk bands, eco-friendly art—it was China’s closest thing to Burning Man. Post-COVID, it’s been tough, but the vibe was unforgettable. Sometimes, smaller fests leave the biggest marks.
The 2020s: A New Era
The pandemic changed everything. Mega-fests scaled back, but local events thrived. Regulations got tighter, yet hybrid online-offline shows emerged. One thing’s clear: China’s festival scene isn’t dying—it’s evolving. And fans? They’re still hungry for the next big show.
CEO-Co-Founder
