Midi Music Festival in Yantai draws nearly 100K attendees

As one of China's longest-running large-scale outdoor music festival brands, the 2023 Huang Bo Hai Midi Festival kicks off in Yantai, Shandong province on April 29. [Photo/WeChat account: yantaifabu]

As one of China's longest-running large-scale outdoor music festival brands, the 2023 Huang Bo Hai Midi Festival kicked off in Yantai, Shandong province on April 29, presenting an audio-visual feast for nearly 100,000 tourists and music fans from all over the country. The ceremony for the 12th and 13th Midi Awards was also held from April 27 to May 1.

During the three-day event, Chinese rock musicians Cui Jian and Xie Tianxiao and 28 other artists performed, with the festival encompassing a range of musical styles like rock, jazz, post-punk, folk, hip-hop, and indie pop rock.

"You should attend in person to see that a music festival is not only about music, but also the scenery of a city," said Hu Xiaotong, an attendee that came from Shanghai.

Mountains, seas, and music are unique natural endowments for Yantai. The stages of the festival were set up in Tulip Square facing the Bohai and Huanghai seas, located away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Accompanied by stars at night, participants immersed themselves in the creative environment.

The festival also strived to enhance visitors' cultural experiences by creating new consumption scenes including creative markets, coastal grassland camping areas, as well as themed food and dining areas.

In 1993, the Beijing Midi School of Music was founded. The first Midi Music Festival was held from April 30 to May 1, 2000, featuring 33 rock bands and creating China's first modern rock music festival. In 2009, the Midi Awards were launched.  

Since 2002, the Midi Music Festival has focused on themes like environmental protection and public welfare. Openness, tolerance, and respect for dreams have consistently been the spiritual themes of Midi.