After the zero-COVID policy was implemented in China, all public gatherings stopped, music halls fell silent, and stages went dark. Over the past two years, live music performances all but disappeared, replaced by online alternatives watched by millions of home-bound netizens.

Following the COVID era, local governments across the country have been eager to host music festivals to stimulate consumption and rejuvenate the economy, which was severely impacted by lockdowns. This surge of activity has been a delight to music enthusiasts. Cities of all sizes have hosted numerous music festivals featuring beloved music stars. Even Nanchang, not known as a music hub, has hosted three or four concerts by famous singers.

However, as more cities turn to hosting music festivals to boost the economy, the market has become oversaturated. A recent festival in Shenzhen further eroded consumer confidence when organizers failed to release tickets early enough, resulting in attendance numbers far below expectations. The images of empty seats in a vast sports stadium posted on social media served as a warning to the music festival industry.

As COVID gradually becomes a distant memory, its legacy remains not just in a resilient economy but also the explosion of music festivals.