Music city

Cui Jian, China's godfather of rock, plays onstage at the festival in 2009. [Photo/China Daily]

"Their performances will be just like the quality and length of their concerts. Fans will be excited to enjoy such great shows at a low price-200 yuan ($33) a day," says Tang, who is based in Los Angeles and commutes between China and the US.

To cater to the rising music market, Zhenjiang Media and Culture Industrial Group invested tens of millions to build up Shi Ye Zhou－Changjiang International Music Island-in 2010. ShiYeZhou, which covers 44 square kilometers, sits right on the Yangtze River.

According to Zhang, the goal is to make the island a music themed place, not only as the location of the festival but also as a venue bands can go to perform.

"The festival has become the calling card of the city. People can even learn news about the festival from any taxi driver," Zhang says.

IF YOU GO

Changjiang International Music Festival

1 pm-11 pm, May 1 and 2. Shi Ye Zhou Changjiang International Music Festival Island, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province.

4006-228-228.