Strawberry is this big annual indie, electro, and pop music festival organized and hosted by China's biggest independent music label, Beijing's . It's a huge company, with a lot of loot, over 300 employees, dozens of festivals all over China, America, and Europe, a live house in Beijing with another coming to Shanghai soon (Hongkou, in case you're wondering), a digital media operation, and who knows what else. Self-driving cars? Assisted-evolution coral? Nanodrones? A secret robot army? A doomsday weather machine? The mind reels.
Shanghai Strawberry always happens in the lush during the May holiday, drawing a huge (20-40k people?), young crowd. Not a raging, shit-kicking punk rocker mob --?it's a sweeter crowd that probably enjoys cats, pastel colors, and food pictures just as much as indie rock. The pogoing is strictly straight up-and-down. Strawberry always has a few big-ish, alt-ish international acts, mixed in with bigger domestic bands (generally from the Modern Sky label), and a few crossover acts / pop shits to get more people through the gates. For example, the 2015 iteration included both Dinosaur Jr. and Carly Rae Jepsen. This year is a bit different, with three electronic headliners (two weeks before MYTH, Modern Sky's first electronic festival, at the same venue, incidentally...) and no huge international rock act.
These are electronic music times, y'all. The kids are alright.
Strawberry Festival -- it's a good, unchallenging time. The park is beautiful, the F&B is... ehhh, a bit lackluster, but you get a big sampling of what's going on in the Chinese music scene (read: Beijing music scene. Not a lot of representation with Shanghai bands, oddly enough). Sure, it's worth checking out. This year's theme is "The world is virtual, you are the reality."
Which is... just as baffling as it always is. Thumbs up.
A Lil' FAQ
How do I get there? Take Metro Line 8 to the China Art Museum station, go out Exit 4, and walk west down Shibo Da Dao. Follow the crowds. If you're taking a cab from downtown, you can tell siji to take you to Shibo Da Dao / Changqing Bei Lu. Don't count on the driver knowing what Shibo Gongyuan is. A cab from downtown should cost around 50rmb.
Getting back, of course, is a bit trickier. In years previous, it's always been a black cab sort of situation if you don't want to deal with the subway. Of course, these are the days of Uber and taxi cab APPs. Best to stick with some friends you can split with.
How much are tickets? is done ticketing for this event, but you can get tickets on site for 300rmb per day.
Is there alcohol: Yes, but it's not strong. In the interest of public health and safety, they can't sell hard liquor there, so even the Ballantine's tent is selling cans of pre-mixed drink, something like a Ballantine's Breezer. For beer, you've got the same as last year – T-T-T-Tuborg, a Danish beer weighing in at around 4% (possibly less). That is 15rmb for a cup.
In previous years, a small black market beer trade pops up around the dudes selling the tie-dye shirts and Guns 'n' Roses CDs. Head for that if you're in a bind. Cans of warm beer gets traded like gold.
Pro Tip: You'll pass a convenience store on the walk from the metro station to the fest. Hit that up if you're looking to pre-game.
Out of control youths at last year's fest
Is there food?: Strawberry is not known for stellar F&B offerings. Unless you like a good ole mystery on a stick. You can probably find some BBQ, noodles, hot dogs, or something. Maybe Melrose pizza?
Can you bring your dog? No, you cannot. Your dog thinks Disclosure is way overrated anyways.
Can you bring your child? Sure, why not. People bring kids every year. It's a family-friendly affair. Bring a blanket, bring a Frisbee... wait, why are we telling you this, you're probably an excellent parent. Good job.
What's the bathroom status? Pretty decent. The Expo Park ayis and shushus do a fine job.
How's the security? Judging from past years, strict enough to find your Asahi tall boys but not as intense as festival in the West.
That said... our photographer got TWO lenses stolen last year. Watch your belongings.
Is there an after-party? Yep, the official after-party is at on Sunday, May 1. No word on lineup yet, but probably Shanghai DJs holding it down. Wouldn't be surprised to see some "special guests" performing as well. Last year, Bruce Springsteen showed up an did a secret DnB set.
(No, he most certainly did not.)
***
The Schedule...
OMG OMG OMG, K-Pop act EXID are performing on the Love Stage on Sunday
Finding detailed info about who's playing -- and when -- has been a difficult task. There is no official schedule in English, so we went through the Chinese version, translated the whole thing, and added links to Douban, Xiami, and other streaming platforms. We also highlighted some artists we think you might like.
April 30
Finnish melodic death metal band Insomnium play the Hard Rock Stage at 7pm
Main Stage | 草莓舞台?
2.20-3.10pm:?
3.40-4.40pm:?
5.20-6.20pm:?
7-8pm:?
8.30-9.20pm:?Modestep
Love Stage | 爱舞台??
12.30-1.10pm:?
1.30-2pm:
2.20-2.50pm:??
3.20-4pm:? 废墟
4.30-5.30pm:?
6-7pm: ?
7.40-8.40pm:?
?
Hard Rock / Planet Stage | 星球舞台
2-2.30pm:? (IL)
3-3.40pm: ?
4.20-5pm:
5.30-6.10pm:
7-7.40pm:?
8.20-9pm:
?
"Being Stage" | 正在舞台
12.40-1.10pm:? 宿舍之星 (待定)
1.30-2pm:?
2.30-3pm:? 钟声
3.40-4.10pm:??
5-5.30pm:?
6.10-6.40pm:??
7.40-8.10pm:
?
RELEASE Electronic Stage | 电子舞台
1.30-2.30pm:
2.30-3.30pm: Terence C
3.30-4.30pm:
4.30-5.30pm: Ivan B2B X.L.F ??
5.30-6.30pm: Ben Huang (Shanghai)
6.30-7.30pm:
7.30-8.30pm: ??
8.30-9.30pm: Shen Yue?
?
May 1
UK house duo Disclosure are doing a DJ set at 8.30pm on the Main Stage
Main Stage | 草莓舞台
2.20-3.10pm??
3.40-4.40pm:?
5.20-6.20pm:? &
7-8pm:?
8.30-9.20pm:?
?
Love Stage | 爱舞台
12.30-1.10pm:?
1.30-2pm:
2.20-2.50pm:?
3.20-4pm:
4.30-5.30pm:?
6-7pm:
7.40-8.40pm:?
?
Hard Rock / Planet Stage | 星球舞台
2-2.30pm:?
3-3.40pm:
4.20-5pm:?
5.30-6.10pm:?
7-7.40pm:
8.20-9pm:?
?
"Being Stage" | 正在舞台
12.40-1.10辫尘:?宿舍之星(待定)
1.30-2pm: 木丽妍
2.30-3辫尘:?寻路者
3.40-4.10:?
5-5.30pm:?
6.10-6.40pm:??
7.40-8.10pm: ?
?
RELEASE Electronic Stage | 电子舞台
1.30-2.30pm:?
2.30-3.30pm: Chase (Shanghai)
3.30-4.30pm:?
4.30-5.10pm: & Blow Fever Live (Shanghai)
5.10-6.30pm: ?
6.30-7.30pm: ?
7.30-8.30pm: ???
8.30-9.30pm: ?
?
May 2
Seminal '90s UK rave act The Prodigy are playing LIVE at 8.05pm on the main stage
Main Stage | 草莓舞台
2.20-3.20pm:?
3.50-4.30pm:?
5-6pm:
6.30-7.30pm:?
8.05-9.20pm:?
?
Love Stage | 爱舞台
12.30-1.10pm:?
1.30-2pm:?
2.20-2.50pm:?
3.20-4pm:
4.30-5.30pm:?
6-7pm:?
7.40-8.40pm:?
?
Hard Rock / Planet Stage | 星球舞台
2-2.30pm:?
3-3.40pm:
4.20-5pm:
5.30-6.10pm:?
7-7.40pm:?
8.20-9pm:?
?
"Being Stage" | 正在舞台
12.40-3.10pm: 浪漫集团
1.30-2pm:?
2.30-3pm:?Lazy Fun
3.40-4.10pm:?
5-5.30pm:?
6.10-6.40pm:?
7.40-8.10pm:?
?
RELEASE Electronic Stage | 电子舞台?
1.30-2.30pm: ?
2.30-3.30pm: ?
3.30-4.30pm: ???
4.30-5.30pm: ?
5.30-6.30pm:
6.30-7.30pm:
7.30-8.30pm: ?
8.30-9.30pm: Giftback?
MC?Dan James (UK)
****
Have a good time, kids. Stay safe. Have a great holiday!
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