Roadside concerts become hit in SW China's Guizhou

People take photos at a roadside concert at Wenchang Pavillion in Guiyang. Photo: Xinhua

 

No superstars. No tickets. Anyone can sing on stage. Different from regular concerts, roadside concerts in Guiyang, capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou Province, allow people to immerse themselves in music.
   
Despite the cold weather, roadside concerts in Guiyang recently attracted a lot of tourists and residents to watch performances on bustling streets and at tourist attractions.   
   
As of January, more than 20 concerts have been held at the Wenchang Pavilion in Guiyang, attracting nearly 40,000 spectators and about 37 million online views.
   
This phenomenal hit came from a roadside performance in the summer of 2023.
   
On the eve of a big concert, some music enthusiasts from across the province gathered in advance and sang songs in an underground passageway in the city's Guanshanhu district.
   
Without tickets or fences, young people held hands together, singing and dancing. Videos showing their relaxed and cheerful performances quickly went viral after being posted on social media.
  
 "We were amusing ourselves and didn't expect to become the highlight of the summer," said Yang Zhi, initiator of the show and lead singer of the local band Zhe Er Gen.
   
"Guiyang has a good vibe for music, and many bands enjoy street performances. This is a tradition that has been passed down for many years," Yang added.