WHEN rock 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 his favorite rock song.

“‘I Have Nothing’ by Cui Jian is my favorite rock 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, lasts from July until October, featuring 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.

According to the local government, rockers will be invited during the season to take buses and subways randomly and improvise performances to enhance people’s sense of interaction. Meanwhile, small rock gigs will take place for free at many public venues, including city lawns, scenic spots, commercial streets, bars and camping areas.

Shijiazhuang will also roll out regular talent shows to inspire and nurture more people to create original rock music and enhance the city’s overall musical atmosphere.

“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.

Chinese rock music has its origins in some aspects in Shijiazhuang, where many well-known bands and rock stars are based. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, magazines on rock music — Popular Song and So Rock — were founded in the city and popular among rock fans around the country.

(China Daily)