Music Industry Insight: Zakk Wu, Booking Manager at MIDI Festival
For our September Music Issue, we asked a selection of the city's music experts for their take on the current state of the 'scene' here in the capital. Their insight was adroit, humorous and controversial in equal measure. In this blog series we post the interviews in full. Next up, Zakk Wu the booking manager at MIDI Festival
On the best new band
Stoner Rock’s Never Before performance; International and wild, and also professional.
On the future of 'the scene'
At the current stage and the near future, for China, indie bands can’t be a part of mainstream, but their influences are expanding. It’s a time where CDs are being forgotten and pirated music is leading the game. No matter the band itself or the whole indie music scene, live performance will become the most important part in the future.
On how Beijing stands up against other musical cities
Compared to many other Chinese cities, it’s much better in Beijing, almost all of the best in China are here; compared to the world’s other cities, everything here is new and the threshold is low. The drawback is there’s no pattern.
On recognition for unsigned bands
It’s not that hard, many famous bands right now are not signed. Here in Beijing, signed or not, it’s not that different. The things that only companies could handle are decreasing.
On obstacles
It depends on the way they think. Few bands are capable of finding their own way, they either follow the trend or stay in a shadow in the past.
On getting ahead
Get to know more people, do more live shows.
On the most accommodating venues in town
MAO Livehouse.
On pitfalls to avoid
Arrogance.
Click here to see the September issue of the Beijinger in full.
