Starting from 2014, the Chinese rock music festival No. 1 brand, MIDI Music Festival will act hand in hand with the automobile brand MINI which features the most essential qualities of British music culture in the world and create the most authentic British rock classic series. As the grand opening show, MIDI and MINI have jointly invited one of the greatest British rock bands Suede to perform on Shanghai MIDI Music Festival (April 25-27) and Beijing MIDI Music Festival (May 1-3). This will also be the debut for Suede on music festivals in Beijing and Shanghai in original line-up. On Beijing and Shanghai MIDI Music Festival, Suede will deliver a special performance – as a tribute to their second album "Dog Man Star" published in 1994 which is not only widely being recognized as the most representative opus of the 90's Brit Pop era but also the master piece at Suede 's peak time, they will give a special 20 years anniversary concert to honour this very release. The band will present the album in its entirety which embodies countless and unforgettable memories of youth and other precious B-side songs live to the fans.
Although MIDI's claim that Suede are 'the most astonishing act in the UK since Roxy Music and The Smiths' may be a little overblown, the band were one of the leaders of the mid-'90s Britpop phenomenon and has a big following in China thanks to their 2003 concert here and frontman Brett Anderson's subsequent solo visits. The band has previously played Beijing in October 2013, August 2011 and way back in 2003. This time the band will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Dog Man Star, regarded as their best record and featuring singles such as 'The Wild Ones' and 'New Generation'.
In 2013 the band successfully launched a comeback album "Bloodsports" and thereafter as honoured guests they performed as closing artist on the charity concert for Teenage Cancer Trust on March 30th 2014 at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall, where they overwhelmed the fans with a sensational 20 years anniversary gig for their second album "Dog Man Star". Lead singer Brett Anderson said at the show: "The Royal Albert Hall has always been a special place. I used to go there with my dad who was a huge classical music fan." He introduced the album's final song "Still Live" in dedication to his father who passed away, which moved everyone in the audience – this has become the most memorable moment in the 25 years career of Suede.
The 2014 Shanghai/Beijing MIDI Music Festival is open now for pre-sale tickets and reservations: one-day ticket 120 RMB (pre-sale) / 150 RMB (onsite); three-day set-tickets 300 RMB (pre-sale) / 350 RMB (onsite), pre-sale set-tickets are limited to 3000 sets. Fans who buy onsite set-tickets may pick up a gift bag of MIDI Music Festival (limited to 1500 pieces, first come first served).
Suede in Beijing
Time: 21:00 – 22:00, Thursday 1 May 2014
Venue: MIDI Festival MINI-Song Stage, Beijing Kuangbiao Paradise
Suede in Shanghai
Time: 21:00 – 22:00, Sunday 27 April 2014
Venue: MIDI Festival MINI-Tang Stage, Shanghai Pudong Sanjiagang