Intro 2009: They are sorry... by starkc

"When is a party large enough to be called a festival?"
A festival mobilizes communities and runs longer than a day
By Dan Stephenson @ cityweekend, May 12th 2009

May began with the massive Modern Sky Strawberry Festival and closes with the Nine Gates Jazz Festival, both established events held over an extended period. Mid-month we have a couple one-day electronic music events tagged with the name “festival,” held by the Bai Cai and Acupuncture crews. Nightlife promoters always seek ways to differentiate their parties, but what exactly is the difference between a party and a music festival?

Those I spoke with in the music community proposed a few parameters: a festival mobilizes the community, runs longer than one day and involves arts and culture on a level broader than just music. “If you compare established events like MIDI or Modern Sky to some of the events billed as ‘festivals' this month, the difference ... is significant,” says one music veteran who asked not to be named.

“We're not using the term 'festival' lightly,” counters Maxime Bureau, an organizer behind the Circus Company Festival at Tango on Friday, May 22. “It's not only focused on the music, it also includes a special atmosphere, gifts, decorations and a lineup of five international DJs ... It's very different from our club nights.”

“A festival has that holiday feeling. We hope to give an intro to locals about electronic music ... and to the outside world about what is happening here,” says Miao Wong of Acupuncture, which holds its Intro 2009 on Saturday, May 23.

Is Intro 2009 really China's “first electronic music festival” as Acupuncture advertises? Maybe not. During my time in Beijing, I've seen the 2003 SOUNDing Beijing Festival, Sounds Like Suomi Electronic Music Festival and Yan Jun's Mini MIDI. How terms like “festival” are delineated has an impact on how fans understand the Beijing scene.

The larger question is what will define Beijing club culture—hype and buzzwords or substantive experience? As a promoter and dedicated music fan, I propose we wait and let the events speak for themselves.

Intro 2009 After by starkc