Linkin Park set to perform in Beijing this year

Paul Pennay | Jan 18, 2008 4:20 pm | Add a comment | 1854 reads

In a year when the floodgates really opened in terms of mainstream foreign bands making it on to China's stages, Linkin Park's show in Shanghai last November really stood out as one one of the most impressive. The American band almost managed to fill the 28,000 capacity Hongkou Stadium, far exceeding audience numbers for the 2006 Rolling Stones' show which only managed to fill the Shanghai Grand Stage, which sits a measly 8,500. Reports are now coming in that Linkin Park are set to return to China in 2008 and that this time a Beijing show is on the books.

The Beijing News reported earlier this week that Chinese rocker Wang Feng, who has been on the Beijing rock scene since 1991 performing as part of the 43 Baojia St. band (take a look at the Youtube clip below for a taste of what they were like live), received an invitation from Linkin Park to be one of their support acts at the upcoming Beijing concert. As it happens, Wang will be playing a big show marking the 200-day countdown to the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympics at Gongti on Saturday night. It's been reported that a few of Wang's celebrity friends will come to see the show, with reporters Yang Lan (Phoenix TV) and the respectable Bai Yansong (CCTV) both expected to get on down, model Yu Na will also be there, as will fellow rockers Cui Jian (who's also been spotted at some of SambAsia's recent gigs) and Zheng Jun.

If Linkin Park is not really your thing than perhaps the karaoke-friendly tunes of the Eagles might appeal. A different Beijing News article suggest that the band behind China's most popular English tune (well i guess it's a tie with the Carpenter's Yesterday Once More) are rumored to be planning a China tour.

Wang Feng Concert

More information and tickets available here. RMB 100-880.
7.30pm. Workers’ Gymnasium (6501 6300)