Entertainment

Festival picks

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-04-28 07:55

Here are METRO's tips for the ones to watch at this weekend's Beijing music extravaganzas:

@ Music Valley

Avril Lavigne, the headline act, will no doubt have pop addicts jumping for joy and scuffing each other's Converse sneakers. It is hard to believe this Canadian singer has been diving off stages for more than a decade. British composer Little Boots offers a mix of blues and indie all wrapped up with an electro-pop edge. For Scot rock at its finest, look no further than KT Tunstall, who is actually part Chinese, so don't be surprised if she comes out with a tune in Mandarin for the occasion. If Mandopop is your musical weapon of choice, you could also do a lot worse than F.I.R. Full lineup on cmvfestival.com

@ Midi Festival

1980s rockers Mr Big will be "shredding up" the main stage on the second night; but beware: making devil horns for more than 30 minutes causes serious cramp. Australian three-piece The On Fires are promising an experience akin to sharing an elevator with the B52s and the Sex Pistols. Canadian melody makers Your Favorite Enemies will be on hand to offer some life lessons with a side order of angst as part of their China tour. And of course where would we be without Beijing punks Brain Failure? Full lineup on www.midimidi.cn/html/midimusic

@ Strawberry Festival

Beijing fans' favorite Hedgehog will be stirring up the crowd with their raucous riffs as the sun goes down on the second night, while those upset by the cancellation of Rustic's album-launch show last week can see them here instead. Tried warbling along with Mongolian folk troupe Hanggai yet? It's never too late, so get ready for a sea of arm thrusts. Instrumentalists Mono also offer an intriguing set, not least because every member seems to play the glockenspiel. Full lineup on strawberrymusic.com

China Daily

(China Daily 04/28/2011)