Promoters promise a rocky start to the new year

Hong Kong is not known for its rock scene, but the folks involved are trying to shake things up this New Year's Eve with a countdown show called 'Rock n Over Countdown Concert 2012' at the AsiaWorld-Arena.

At a promotion event in a Chai Wan warehouse-turned-music-studio on Tuesday, veteran rock act Tai Chi, along with Mister and Kolor, announced they would be joining forces for the show. Members of Rubberband, another 'Canto-rock' act on the bill, were absent due to prior commitments.

'We've played several shows at the [Hong Kong Coliseum] with support from Tai Chi, as a matter of fact, so it is logical to take it to a bigger stage, for a bigger show,' Mister bassist Desmond Tam said.

The five members of Mister, who have been credited for re-energising the Hong Kong mainstream Canto-rock scene along with Rubberband, were excited to be on the same bill as their supposed rivals.

'We have been compared to Rubberband, and vice versa, for the past couple of years,' guitarist Ronny Lay said. 'We each bring a unique sound to the scene and it'll be good to be on the same bill.'

For Tai Chi, who have been around since the '80s and are considered pioneers, the concert is perfect promotional timing - they have a new album due for release at about the same time. Guitarist Joey Tang Kin-ming promised the band's set would not be a full-on plug for the new album, though. 'We will play many of our old hits, of course,' he said.