Thefts tarnish outdoor music festival

When Cui Jian, one of China's best-known rock stars, performed on the main stage at the Central China Midi Festival 2023 on Sept 30, it was an exciting moment for music lovers who had traveled from across the country to join the four-day outdoor music festival in Nanyang, Henan province.

It was the first time the ancient city in Central China had hosted an outdoor Midi Festival — one of the most popular and oldest outdoor music festivals in China.

From Sept 29 to Oct 2, during the eight-day Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday, the festival showcased over 80 rock music acts from home and abroad, with about 150,000 fans attending.

But after it ended, many people, including those who had stayed in its camping zone, reported that personal property such as computers, phones, clothes and camping equipment had been stolen.

A statement released by the festival's organizer on Oct 5 said the Nanyang city police department had received 73 reports of thefts and 65 cases had been documented.

"The police department arrested some people for taking personal property from music festival attendees and was able to return the property to its proper owners," the organizer said.

It also said an internet user who had posted untrue information on a social media platform had been arrested for misleading people to believe that equipment left in the camping zone was no longer wanted by its owners.

The statement also criticized negative and misleading comments about Nanyang that were posted on social media.

"There were many comments exhibiting regional prejudice, which are wrong and have a negative impact on Nanyang," it said. "We will see you here in Nanyang next year."

One fan, Yan Bin, said people had a great time at the festival.

"The organizer told attendees about the possibility of rain days before the event started," Yan said. "Though the ground was muddy, people had lots of fun there.

"It was definitely annoying when the stealing cases were reported. But the reaction of the local police department was fast. It's a warning for organizers of outdoor music festivals, who should be prepared to make the events safer."

The Central China Midi Festival 2023 was one of a number of Midi Festival events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Midi School, China's first school of contemporary music.

In 2000, the first Midi Festival was held at the school in northern Beijing's Haidian district.

Nearly all China's top rock stars have performed at the festivals, now held across the country.

Music critic Guo Zhikai, who has organized other outdoor music festivals, said the local government had put a great deal of effort into making the festival happen, and it had been a good opportunity for the city to attract tourists.

"For the event organizer, it's also a great idea to bring those top rock musicians to Nanyang, expanding the fan base and attracting young people during the national holiday," he said.

"However, it's sad to have thefts bring shame to the music festival.

"For outdoor music festival organizers, safety is a priority. Besides the security members who failed to carry out their duties, those who gave out rumors and wrong information are responsible for causing the chaos."