Rare show by banned star Cui stirs up political memories

China's 'godfather' of rock music, Cui Jian, made a rare, officially approved concert appearance last night, before more than 10,000 screaming fans packing into Beijing's Capital Stadium.

Promoters said the concert was the first time Cui Jian had taken the stage with the government's blessing since 1993. Cui, 42, lived up to his reputation for looking rough and sounding raspy.

He kicked off with Fly, followed by three new songs, Makeshift, Lost Season and Spring Festival. The five-song performance reached a climax and concluded with his best-known song, Nothing to My Name. Half of the audience stood up and sang along.

For many mainlanders, Cui's music brings back memories of the 1980s, when a generation of young people was inspired by his rebellious nature.

Cui's anti-establishment lyrics are charged with social and political undertones, making him unpopular with state officials. His songs are widely associated with the student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989, due to their popularity at the time.

His song The Last Shot, about a soldier reluctant to fire on civilians, is banned on the mainland. Cui claims his music is not political and has frequently accused foreign journalists of forcing the association with the events of 1989. The Last Shot, he insists, is about the war in Vietnam, not Tiananmen.