A not-so-clever-but-funny wordplay by netizens puts the Chinese words “Caomei Yinyuejie (草莓音乐节)” into “Cao! Mei Yinyuejie? (操！没音乐节？), thus Modern Sky Strawberry Music Festival fills for Midi’s absence. As one of the earliest and biggest rock labels in China, Modern Sky Records hosts its annual shindig in October. But for the coming May holiday, they are introducing Strawberry Music Festival, during which, for three days in Beijing’s eastern suburb of Tongzhou County, more than 60 acts will perform on three stages - Strawberry Stage (草莓舞台), Love Stage (爱舞台) and Electronic Stage (电子舞台), genres ranging from indie rock to cool electronica.

Modern Sky claims this festival will focus on mellow side rather than rock n rolling, that explains why alternative rock band Deerhoof comes as the special guest to play some unconventional tones. After all, this will still be the biggest live music congregation in Beijing during springtime, also a good chance for the city's suburb to have some real fun going on.

Deerhoof will be performing at Tongzhou Canal Park on May 3

When: May 1-3; 11am-9.30pm
Where: Tongzhou Canal Park (通州运河公园)
Ticket:
RMB 80 (per day, purchase at door), RMB 180 (3-day pass, limited 3,000, register on festival.modernsky.com and purchase at door with ID)

How to Get There:
Option 1: Six Modern Sky free shuffle buses (aka Strawberry Bus 草莓大巴) are available from Tongzhou Beiyuan (通州北苑) subway station on Batong Line (right by the 322 Bus station), each carries the capacity of 140-150 people. The bus departs every 20 minutes 10am-1pm and every 30 minutes 1-6pm, and return bus from the park to Tongzhou Beiyuan will be available every 20 minutes 6-10pm. The latest one leaves the park at 10.30pm.
Option 2: Get off at Guomao (国贸) Station on Line 1, then take Bus 938 Branch 9 (938支9) to Dongguan Daqiao (东关大桥), walk to the park.
Option 3: Get off at Tongzhou Beiyuan Station on Batong Line, and take any bus among 322, 342 and 728 to Dongguang Daqiao (东关大桥), walk to the park.
Option 4: Taxi fare costs from RMB 20 (from Tongzhou Beiyuan Station) to RMB 80 (from Guomao Station).

Reminder: The last train arrives at Tongzhou Beiyuan at 10.17pm - plan your back journey accordingly if you don’t want to take the shuffle bus.

Line-ups (click to listen)

May 1

Strawberry Stage
13:00-13:40 SKO (死扣)
14:00-14:40 Omnipotent Youth Society (万能青年旅店)
15:00-15:40 Perdel (逃跑计划)
16:00-16:40 Nancheng Erge (南城二哥)
17:00-17:40 Hedgehog (刺猬)
18:00-18:40 Xiu Xiu (US)
19:00-19:30 Joanna Wong (王若琳)
20:00-20:40 Zhang Chu (张楚)

Love Stage
13:30-13:50 He Li (何力)
14:00-14:20 Hong Qi (洪启)
14:30-15:10 Youth (青年小伙子)
15:30-16:10 Steely Heart (钢铁的心)
16:30-17:10 Wu Zhuoling (吴卓玲)
17:30-18:10 AOK
18:30-19:10 The Lones (former L.A.B.F, 浪)
19:30-20:10 Left Right (左右)
20:30-21:10 Yu Yang (虞洋)

Electronic Stage: COSMO Blue - House
14:00-15:30 Shenyue
15:30-16:45 Donald Summer
16:45-18:00 Patrick Yu
18:00-19:15 Ben Huang 
19:15-20:30 Eddie Lv
20:30-21:30 Dio

May 2

Strawberry Stage
13:00-13:40 Hua Lun (花伦)
14:00-14:40 The Offset: Spectacles (憬观：像同叠)
15:00-15:40 Arms and Legs (US)
16:00-16:40 Zhou Yunpeng (周云蓬)
17:00-17:40 The Life Journey (旅行团)
18:00-18:40 Brain Failure (脑浊)
19:00-19:40 Cao Fang (曹方)
20:00-20:40 Re-TROS (aka Rebuilding the Rights of Statues重塑雕像的权利)

Love Stage
13:30-14:00 Zhang Zhilin & Band (张志林与乐队)
14:20-15:00 Blue Garden (兰色花园)
15:30-16:10 Flying At Midnight (午夜飞行)
16:30-17:10 Lava OX Sea
17:30-18:10 Silent G
18:30-19:10 Kelly Cha & Orange Factory (查可欣 & 桔子工厂)
19:30-20:10 PANTHER (US)
20:30-21:10 The Thin Man (瘦人)

Electronic Stage: COSMO Yellow - Drum'n'Bass　
14:00-15:30 Dan
15:30-17:00 Lydnb
17:00-18:30 Kay C
18:30-20:00 Blackie
20:00-21:30 Usami

May 3

Strawberry Stage
13:00-13:40 The Chinos (基诺)
14:00-14:40 Casino Demon (赌鬼)
15:00-15:40 Guai Li (怪力)
16:00-16:40 Wan Xiaoli (万晓利)
17:00-17:40 Sound & Toys (声音与玩具)
18:00-18:40 Lao Lang (老狼)
19:00-19:40 Sound Fragment (声音碎片)
20:00-20:40 Deerhoof (US)

Love Stage
13:30-14:10 Camel (骆驼)
14:30-15:10 Bigger Bang (大棒)
15:30-16:10 Pet Conspiracy (宠物同谋)
16:30-17:10 Hao Yun (郝云)
17:30-18:10 Shuangzi (爽子)
18:30-19:10 Amguulan (阿穆隆)
19:30-20:10 Long Shen Dao (aka The Dragon God 龙神道)
20:30-21:10 Xiao Juan & Residents from the Valley (小娟 & 山谷里的居民)

Electronic Stage: COSMO Green – Live & DJ
14:30-15:20 Iloop
15:20-16:10 Sulumi (孙大威)
16:10-17:00 Zigzag
17:00-17:50 Dead J (邵彦鹏)
17:50-18:40 LIman
18:40-20:05 Ouyang
20:05-21:30 J Swarz

Bands to Watch

Hedgehog plays what they refer as “noise pop boys n girl”, the quirky boys and cartoon-character-look-like Atom burst with strength beyond their looks.Atom, Drummer of Hedgehog

Nancheng Erge does his fusion of Xiangsheng (comic cross talk) and rock, showing his ultimate Beijing flava to the audience.

Nancheng Erge plays Lian Dan'r(脸蛋儿) at Mao Livehouse

Zhang Chu is one of the key figures in China’s rock history, read more about him here. Expect the climax of the first day from this guy.

Zhang Chu sings his classic Sister(姐姐) on 2008 Modern Sky Music Festival

The Offset: Spectacles has recently moved all the way from Hong Kong to the mainland’s capital. With its unique garage rock materials, this upcoming band is going places in the local scene.

Re-TROS hangs the police under his shotgun - the marching-band-like rhythm and helpless scream make them one of the best post-punk bands in town.

Re-TROS plays TV Show(Hang The Police) on 2007 Midi Music Festival