The Concrete and Grass music festival isn’t your typical music festival. In fact, its punchline is “a place less ordinary,” embodied through the diverse, unique experience that the festival provides for people of all ages.
The Shanghai Rugby Football Club field once again held the festival, containing three areas with five different stadiums. In the main area, there were various pop-up booths selling items such as homemade jewelry and hippie-style clothing. There were also play spaces designed for children to enjoy, adding a family-friendly vibe to the festival.
In terms of food, Concrete and Grass had a line of food booths serving American, Italian, Thai cuisine and more, naming it the Duck Bites Goose extravaganza. Compared to the food at other music festivals such as Storm, the food offered at Concrete and Grass were definitely more affordable and diverse. Some favorites include their cheese avocado nachos, banana and cream waffle, and mint chocolate chip and balsamic strawberry ice cream.
What would a music festival be without the music? The “less ordinary” part of Concrete and Grass centralizes around its unique lineup as well, of course. This year, it showcased RADWIMPS, Carsick Cars, DIIV, Princess Nokia, WHITE+ and more.
Chinese rappers KC, Young Gee and Sexy Slippers (性感的拖鞋) performed a lineup of Chinese rap at the Woozy Dimensions stadium. Although they were all fairly new artists, their songs caused much of the audience to bob their heads or jump up and down with excitement. The climax of their performance was when Young Gee and Sexy Slippers performed their latest hit “Inject Hyaluronic Acid” (《打玻尿酸》), which was a collaboration with “The Rap of China” star VAVA.
Another highlight was black feminist, Calvin Klein model and hip-hop artist Princess Nokia’s performances. Her contagious energy spread through the crowds in the stadium as she played her songs with her idiosyncratic blend of R&B, tribal beats and trip hop.
Perhaps the most prominent artist who performed at the festival was RADWIMPS. Most known for being the artists to anime film “Your Name” (Kiwi no Nawa) soundtracks, Japanese pop-rock band RADWIMPS was many festival attendees’ favorite, or even the reason of attending the festival itself.
“Watching RADWIMPS play was probably one the best one and a half hours of my life,” junior Claire Yu said. “Being able to see Kimi no Nawa soundtracks played live was life-changing.” She also said that RADWIMPS will continue to be one of her favorite bands for many years.
Overall, the festival was a spectacular experience. The more casual and hip vibe that it gave off was a pleasant surprise, compared to other music festivals more known to be an occasion for swarming crowds and finger-pointing dancing.
Next year, the festival will be held during September again, so be sure to look for early bird tickets—and the student discount—if you’re looking to experiencing a music festival like no other.
Allison Ma
The Shanghai Rugby Football Club field once again held the festival, containing three areas with five different stadiums. In the main area, there were various pop-up booths selling items such as homemade jewelry and hippie-style clothing. There were also play spaces designed for children to enjoy, adding a family-friendly vibe to the festival.
 |
| Pop-up booths at Concrete and Grass, taken by Angela Ma |
In terms of food, Concrete and Grass had a line of food booths serving American, Italian, Thai cuisine and more, naming it the Duck Bites Goose extravaganza. Compared to the food at other music festivals such as Storm, the food offered at Concrete and Grass were definitely more affordable and diverse. Some favorites include their cheese avocado nachos, banana and cream waffle, and mint chocolate chip and balsamic strawberry ice cream.
 |
| The Duck Bites Goose food booths, taken by Angela Ma |
What would a music festival be without the music? The “less ordinary” part of Concrete and Grass centralizes around its unique lineup as well, of course. This year, it showcased RADWIMPS, Carsick Cars, DIIV, Princess Nokia, WHITE+ and more.
Chinese rappers KC, Young Gee and Sexy Slippers (性感的拖鞋) performed a lineup of Chinese rap at the Woozy Dimensions stadium. Although they were all fairly new artists, their songs caused much of the audience to bob their heads or jump up and down with excitement. The climax of their performance was when Young Gee and Sexy Slippers performed their latest hit “Inject Hyaluronic Acid” (《打玻尿酸》), which was a collaboration with “The Rap of China” star VAVA.
 |
| Sexy Slippers and Young Gee performing, taken by Angela Ma |
Another highlight was black feminist, Calvin Klein model and hip-hop artist Princess Nokia’s performances. Her contagious energy spread through the crowds in the stadium as she played her songs with her idiosyncratic blend of R&B, tribal beats and trip hop.
Perhaps the most prominent artist who performed at the festival was RADWIMPS. Most known for being the artists to anime film “Your Name” (Kiwi no Nawa) soundtracks, Japanese pop-rock band RADWIMPS was many festival attendees’ favorite, or even the reason of attending the festival itself.
 |
| RADWIMPS' performance, taken by Claire Yu |
“Watching RADWIMPS play was probably one the best one and a half hours of my life,” junior Claire Yu said. “Being able to see Kimi no Nawa soundtracks played live was life-changing.” She also said that RADWIMPS will continue to be one of her favorite bands for many years.
Overall, the festival was a spectacular experience. The more casual and hip vibe that it gave off was a pleasant surprise, compared to other music festivals more known to be an occasion for swarming crowds and finger-pointing dancing.
Next year, the festival will be held during September again, so be sure to look for early bird tickets—and the student discount—if you’re looking to experiencing a music festival like no other.
Allison Ma
