Chinese music on show

By Sunny Liu

A first-of-its-kind Chinese contemporary music festival will showcase music from young Chinese artists at the Hof Downtown on March 31.

The line-up features well-known Melbourne-based Chinese artists such as Simo Hu, who was a finalist in music competition Sing! China, metal rock band Nobody’s Home, and Sam Wong, music director at Jiangsu’s Spring Festival gala in China.

The Chinese Contemporary Music Festival’s music director, Zhicong Jiang, said the festival would be a showcase of the skills and talent in China’s modern music industry.

“We hope this festival can represent the level of talent of Chinese musicians in Melbourne. All the artists that we have invited to the festival are based in Melbourne and it is a good opportunity to promote them among the local community,” he said.

Festival organiser Loreny Liu said China’s contemporary music is very much different from its traditional, folk or classic music.

“Whenever there is a celebration of the Chinese culture in Melbourne, it’s always traditional music that’s played at the event. But that’s not very representative of China’s contemporary and youth culture,” she said.

The Chinese Contemporary Music Festival runs at the Hof Downtown, on the corner of Bourke and Village streets, Docklands from 4-10pm on Saturday, March 31. Entry is free.