China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Music companies launch program to promote live shows
NetEase Cloud Music, an online music streaming service under Chinese internet company NetEase Inc, is working with Sony Music Entertainment, on 10 live shows under the project Yundou Live.
The 10 live shows will bring together pop stars, including Beijing-based singer Huang Qishan, singer-songwriter Gong Ge, Taiwan pop singersongwriter Valen Hsu, aboriginal Taiwan singer-songwriter Matzka and singer-songwriter Eric Chou.
“The way of consuming music has changed drastically with the influence of the internet. But the fun of enjoying live music performances cannot be replaced,” says Ding Bo, vice-president of NetEase Cloud Music in Beijing.
“We hope that fans enjoy live music just like they enjoy movies.”
NetEase Cloud Music was launched in 2013 and now has more than 400 million online users. The company initiated Yundou Live in May 2017, to promote young music talents. And, so far, the project has seen 469 live shows, comprising 137 bands and singers from various music genres.
Meanwhile, the company has other project involving live shows.
In December last year, it launched the first season of a project, titled Stage, with veteran songwriter and producer Zhang Yadong.
Then, 10 groups of Chinese singersongwriters and bands, such as Beijing-based singer-songwriter Pu Shu and indie rock band, The Life Journey, had to perform in public places, such as restaurants, amusement parks and on buses, in various cities.
Ding also says that the two companies share the same vision for live music as Zepp Hall Network, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, holds many international tours.
Speaking about its plans, Enrique Shen, the deputy general manager of domestic marketing & artist management development, Sony Music Entertainment, says: “Many great musicians have launched their careers with live shows first. So, our links will help blaze a trail for the Chinese music industry, while creating touring opportunities for Chinese and international artists.”
On April 20, 22-year-old Taiwan singer-songwriter Eric Chou made his debut in Beijing. The show attracted about 800 fans.
On June 1, International Children’s Day, the boys choir, The Little Singers of Paris, will perform under the baton of its artistic director, Hugo Gutierrez, with repertories, including Camille Saint-Saens’ Tollite Hostia, Alessandro Scarlatti’s Laudate pueri Dominum and Mozart’s Alleluia.
Other highlights will see Spanish flamenco, Carmen, Irish tap dance drama, Gaelforce Dance, and a concert for children brought by Beijingbased Accent Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Fan Tao, featuring works including The Carnival Of Animals, a musical suite of 14 movements by French composer Camille Saint-Saens.