Throwback Thursday: Grand Gig Announcements and Crushing Disappointments
Throwback Thursday takes a look back into Beijing's past, using our 11-year-strong blog archives to glance at the weird and wonderful of yesteryear.
Beijing is not an easy nut to crack for music industry ambassadors. Label owners, promoters, managers, and musicians have to fight tooth and nail to bring gigs into the city. Yet while we seem to get about half of the world-renowned artists that grace our southern frienemy Shanghai (*angrily shakes fist*), we think it's probably because Beijing's local music scene is so awesome, we don't need outside help.
Historically, January seems to be the month for making big tour announcements, so let's look into the archives, and see which superstars have dropped into our vibrant city around during this time.
Way back in 2008, we were blessed with the announcement that epic Canadian diva Celine Dion was heading our way. As the roots of cheekiness run deep here at the Beijinger, the blog author guessed that the performance by the "My Heart Will Go On" singer would be a majestic celebration for those hundreds, if not thousands, of Chinese students who adopted the names of Rose and Jack en masse back in the '90s.
Another band that graced the capital's stage was everyone's favorite nu metalers Linkin Park, way back in 2008. It was truly a throwback to better times; lead singer Chester Bennington was still alive and you could get a ticket to their show for a mere RMB 100.
Then in January of 2009, we got news that legendary British rockers Oasis were set to play that April. However, the announcement brought more confusion than clarity, for the organizers refused to reveal the specific date or the venue where they'd be performing. We therefore braced ourselves for an update featuring the words canceled or delayed, and matters were made even worse when Shanghai publications wrote headlines like "Oasis definitely maybe coming to Shanghai." Well, it turned out that all that secrecy was just a PR stunt, and the oasis was no mirage – the grizzled fathers of Britpop really did make it over for a show.
US rockers The Killers met a different fate. Scheduled to play at Workers' Gymnasium on Jan 26, they ended up canceling their show a mere four days prior. That somehow did not shock the know-it-all commenters on the Beijinger, who responded with a sarcastic but bitter "Surprise surprise!"
Despite the recent crackdown on live music venues and bars in Beijing, 2018 was truly a fruitful year for international music superstars. Just a few days ago, the curly guitar genius Slash from Guns 'N' Roses brought his special brand of sexy shredding to the capital, and earlier in the year, German heavy metal nutters Scorpions somehow convinced people to pay a staggeringly high RMB 2,000 to see them (a)live. Comparative youngsters were also treated with shows from the British romantic crooner Sam Smith and Fall Out Boys' frontman Pete Wentz.
It seems then that despite the numerous cancelations, there are always a few big name acts who manage to get through and give us a taste of home. Well, as long as home isn't Japan.
Luckily, there's literally more live music in Beijing than you could see in one lifetime.
Check out the listings, here.
More by this author here.
Email: tautviledaugelaite@thebeijinger.com
Photos: NME.com, Power of the Music, 77poster, Qthemusic
