All the Smokin' Entertainment at River BBQ Fest

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Sep 11, 2025 4:30 pm | Add a comment | 150 reads

We don’t know about you, but we are counting down the days until our first-ever River BBQ Fest! All set to take place from Sep 19 to 21 at Langyuan Station's Riverside Cultural Plaza, it's going to be a three-day extravaganza filled with barbecued delights, delicious drinks and banging tunes.

We've already had a look at the amazing 40+ vendors we've got in store in our part one and part two vendor posts, and now we're turning our attention to the entertainment. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the acts that will be firing up the stage.

Music

DMC RK

Kicking off the festival on Friday will be DMC RK. He began learning the erhu when he was 5, bringing a special quality and style to his music. While he was studying in the US, he regularly did DJ sets at parties, and then following his return to China began performing as DMC RK in various places around Beijing. His music style is tropical house, hip-hop and funky soul, and he loves to build up emotion in his sets to get the audience pumping.

DJ Arquitect

A regular at Beijinger events, Dairon Cardona, aka DJ Arquitect, is a Cuban DJ and music producer, and he will be taking over the decks on Friday evening. One of Beijing's most popular Latin music DJs, he plays a mix of Latin, Afro, Caribbean and house music to create great energy on the dance floor. Formerly a resident DJ at Nuo Hotel, the InterContinental and Martini Terrace, he is known for his banging DJ sets and great charisma.

D-Fi & Kronos

Starting things off on Saturday, we will have D-Fi & Kronos bringing banging house vibes to the fest. They'll be playing your familiar favorites and their top picks of the latest new tracks. The boys will have as much fun playing as you do dancing and vibing to the beats.

Voguish

Voguish will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday. They are a band known for their soulful, soothing music which fuses jazz, soul, neo-soul, R & B, blues, pop, reggae-soul, Afro-soul, and soft rock. The band plays Chinese hit songs from famous Chinese artists as well as famous and great cover songs from all over the world, always leaving their audience in awe. Besides this, Voguish also performs their own original music, making their performances unique and rich and giving fans an experience they can't find anywhere else.

The band performs in different languages, including English, French, Spanish, Shona, Zulu, Swahili and many more, making their performances super diverse. Voguish has appeared at a number of big events and venues, including the Beijing International Film Festival, CCTV shows and the National Centre for Performing Arts. They've also been the resident band at various international 5-star hotels, such as the Hyatt Hotel, and they have also played at music venues across Beijing, China and abroad.

Ghost Note

Ghost Note is a China-based collective blending pop, funk, Afro and jazz into a sound that's as smooth as it is electrifying. Driven by rhythm and rooted in groove, the band crafts music that moves both the body and the soul. With global influences and a fearless approach to genre, Ghost Note delivers performances that radiate energy, connection and pure good vibes. From dance floor-shaking funk lines to jazz-inspired improvisation, every set is an invitation to lose yourself in the music and find joy in the moment. Ghost Note ... where groove meets soul, and every note counts.

Area 5k

Get ready to move on Saturday and Sunday because Area 5k will be coming to the stage to take you on a musical journey like no other! This powerhouse band doesn't believe in limits. They blend the grooves of funk, the catchy hooks of pop, the smooth soul of R&B, the good vibes of reggae and the irresistible rhythms of Afro beats, all into one electrifying sound. Area 5k is comprised of singers and musicians from a few of Beijing's most famous bands, and you're sure to have come across some of them before.

When Area 5k hits the stage, it's more than just music; it's an invitation to dance, to sing along and to lose yourself in pure energy and joy. Their sets are a celebration of rhythm and connection, bringing people together with songs that make every moment feel like a party. Whether you love silky melodies, heavy basslines, or beats that get your feet moving, Area 5k delivers it all with passion, style and a whole lot of fun. Let the music move you!

Leslie JayCee

The last performer to take to the stage on Saturday will be Leslie JayCee, a standout DJ from Beijing's club scene. He is the first and only Chinese DJ to perform twice at Berlin and Dortmund's “Love Parade.” He has also played at major events worldwide, including “Ministry of Sound,” “Cream,” “Mutek,” and “In Bed with Space / Ibiza.”

In 2004, he founded the label and organization “HouseRabbits,” releasing influential works under JCM. By 2013, JCM became a popular radio show on CRI Easy FM and Croatia’s Balance FM. The label later evolved into DeePleasure, focusing on deeper, funkier sounds. In the summer of 2015, Leslie JayCee was invited to perform at Zurich's “Street Parade.” That same year, on Dec 5, he joined 21 top DJs from around the world, including Above & Beyond, Michael Mayer, and Gui Boratto, for “ListenParis 2015.”

DJ CYS

Kicking off the final day of the fest on Sunday is DJ CYS. Trained under the DMC China Champion, he has honed his skills in mixing and scratching. By day, he collects rhythmic beats and then by night explores the possibilities of open-format music within the scene.

He has performed at venues such as JOYLAND, DADA, fRUITYSPACE, Factory, WITH, and BlackMoon, and is active with event collectives like POPCITY INC and RAWMEAT. He has also taken part in performances at events like the Tangu Jazz Festival and the Beijing Bread Festival.

DJ Lolly

Closing out River BBQ Fest on Sunday night with a bang is DJ Lolly. The newest sensation in the music scene, she embarked on her musical journey in 2023. DJ Lolly has quickly become a rising star in the industry, captivating audiences with her infectious beats and undeniable passion for music. Inspired by the pulsating rhythms of dancehall, DJ Lolly brings a fresh and dynamic energy to every set, transporting you to a world where the music moves your body and soul.

Dancing

SAZON

Our long-time friends and collaborators SAZON will be gracing the stage with their energetic dance moves on Saturday and Sunday. SAZON has been delivering the most up-to-beat Cuban dance culture and trends to China since 2016. They consist of professional Cuban dancers whose expertise is not limited to Cuban dance but also includes popular dance styles from around the world. When they perform, there's sure to be plenty of laughs and fun.

You can check out the full schedule for the stage lineup below, so you don't miss a thing!

River BBQ Fest will be taking place at Langyuan Station on Sep 19 from 4pm until 9pm and Sep 20-21 from 11am until 9pm. Early bird tickets are RMB 19.9 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above. Tickets at the door are RMB 29.9.

Langyuan Station Riverside Cultural Plaza

The River BBQ Fest will be taking place at Langyuan Station Riverside Cultural Plaza. Last year, the space underwent an upgrade and now features a scenic platform overlooking the Ba River. With blue skies, grassy lawns, river views, pedestrian streets and a sunken plaza, it’s the perfect setting for an autumn event.

Langyuan Station itself is a cultural and creative landmark featuring both industrial and international styles. Its location by the Ba River and adjacent to the greenery of Jiangfu Park makes it a place where you can enjoy nature and pop-up cultural activities at the same time. It's home to an array of businesses and industries such as art museums, cafés, home design, trendy fashion, upscale dining, sports and film, and it has become a popular hotspot for shopping and socializing in Beijing.

Langyuan Station Riverside Cultural Plaza 郎园Station滨河广场
53 Banjieta Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区半截塔路53号

If you'd like to stay up-to-date with everything BBQ-related in the capital, join our BBQ Lovers group chat by scanning the QR code below.