Electric atmosphere grips Victoria Park
AT LAST, a music festival worthy of the name has been held in Hong Kong.
The action was fast and furious as Rockit, the first large-scale outdoor gig to be held here, kicked off in Victoria Park at the weekend.
Although headline British band Supergrass did not turn up because of family problems, the festival still featured more than a dozen top-class acts, including Japanese rockers Electric Eel Shock, Australian group Regurgitator, British rockers Six By Seven and New York salsa band The Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
The dynamic punk and heavy metal from Electric Eel Shock received an overwhelming response from the crowd.
While the drummer, who was half naked, greeted the crowd with a series of powerful strokes and a funny stunt before the live act kicked off, the singer asked the audience to roar 'e-mail' along with the band while inviting people to leave their e-mail addresses afterwards.
Excited by the band's ferocious performance, fans jumped up and down while some in the front were thrown around above the audience's heads.
Besides the main-stage performances there were also local bands and DJs playing inside a big tent set up in one corner.
While superstar turntablists DJ Marky and XRS spun out drum 'n bass, Stamina MC's rapping had the tent packed, with everyone dancing and leaping to the hypnotic beats.
Local rocker and award-winning actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang and actor Sam Lee Chan-sam were spotted mingling with the crowd.
University of Hong Kong SPACE design students Lainine Lai, Joey Tsoi and Janki Wong were among the few local youngsters who showed up. 'It's really great! There are many kinds of music here,' said Lai, 22, who attended both days. 'There should be more events like this in Hong Kong. We don't want to only listen to Canto-pop.'
Electric Eel Shock and Britain's Goldrush were among their favourite acts at the festival.
'[Electric Eel Shock] is just great! They are so good at controlling the atmosphere,' Lai added.
Like most of the audience, the students hope the event will happen again next year.
