Rock going 'home' to Shijiazhuang

When rock 'n' roll enthusiast Wang Yuan heard that his hometown of Shijiazhuang would hold a number of rock music concerts this summer, he couldn't help but start humming a merry little tune from his favorite rock song.

"I Have Nothing by Cui Jian, China's godfather of rock 'n' roll, is my favorite song even though it's old," the 36-year-old man said, and added that he's hoping the veteran rocker will be invited to perform at and lead the city's "Rock Home Town" music season.

The music season, rolled out by the capital of Hebei province, will last from July until October, featuring high-profile rock stars and large audiences, and it is expected to draw interest nationwide. Shijiazhuang is translated as "rock home town" word by word. The name "rock home town" first emerged as a joke because it sounds like a place where rock music is popular.

However, the city turned the joke to its economic advantage by starting a music festival with the ambitious aim of reinvigorating its rock music culture and promoting tourism driven by music-related activities.

"It's a good idea to make rock and roll a card for the city. But hey musicians, play the music gently on buses, or you may scare our old grannies," said a netizen on microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

According to the local government, rock musicians will be invited during the season to take local buses and subways randomly and improvise performances to enhance people's sense of participation and interaction. Meanwhile, smaller rock music performances will take place free from time to time at many public venues, including city lawns, scenic spots, commercial streets, bars and camping areas. Among the multiple rock music events, some will be arranged at night to diversify residents' leisure time and spur the city's night economy.

Named Watcher and Sixpence, the netizen added that Shijiazhuang can learn from Zibo in Shandong province, which ignited its barbecue craze that has made headlines for several months and enhanced the city's reputation. "Let the rock craze sweep the country!"

"We will take multiple measures to make the rock music elements seen everywhere all over the city and develop the city into a place where people can enjoy music, entertainment, great food and tourism all together," said Zhang Hui, Party chief of Shijiazhuang's bureau of culture, radio, television and tourism.

According to local culture officials, Chinese rock music has its origins in some aspects in Shijiazhuang, where many well-known bands and stars of rock 'n' roll are based.

Back in the 1980s, a journal on rock music — named Popular Song — was founded in the city, and became popular nationwide. In the 1990s, a magazine named So Rock was founded in the city. To continue the tradition, Shijiazhuang will roll out regular talent shows to inspire and nurture more people to create original rock music and enhance the city's overall musical atmosphere.