With the festive season in full swing, local record label 89268 is throwing its own series of celebratory parties - and everyone's invited. Four shows - tonight, tomorrow night, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - offer a musical bonanza with 17 acts performing over the four dates. Revellers can expect to see the full spectrum of music - all at the Fringe Club - from inLove's acoustic musings to hip-hop courtesy of MC Snake, Unixx's indie grooves and Hard Candy's post-punk pop. Grouped together under the banner Come Out and Play II, these shows complement 89268's three-CD Come Out and Play compilation, featuring 39 local artists, which was released in October. 'These shows are all part of the campaign,' says 89268 marketing director Vivian Yeung Wai-yan. 'Christmas is a suitable time for us to all come out and play. We invited the bands on the album to play at our shows. We put no restrictions on style. We just want the bands to do what they do best.' The concept is simple. 'A time and place for like-minded musicians, friends and fans to all enjoy themselves,' says Yeung. Hard Candy vocalist-guitarist Yan Yan Tong says music lovers don't really need an excuse to catch live shows over the holiday period, 'but for those who rarely go to local shows, it's a good chance to come out and see some bands.' The artists are divided over what this time of year means to them. 'It's a time for rest,' says MC Snake. For Siu Wu, vocalist for metal outfit Sanskrit, December is 'a time to relax at work, and come out and play with friends'. Soloist Garlum says: 'It's a time to look back and wrap up. It's also a time to hope for something brand new and to work harder.' Gayamyan's Cedric Chan says: 'It means holidays, gatherings, warmth and intimacy.' As is often the case with special shows, the spirit of the event will give the artists some degree of flexibility to experiment. Garlum plans to do just that. 'For this show, I'll do full-on J-rock,' he says. 'You can expect quite a different, but festive, Garlum.' Singer-songwriter Wong Cham-hei will also branch out. 'I'm hoping to get another guitarist to play with me, rather than soloing,' he says. 'It might be different from what you've heard from me before.' Among the must-see acts at the four shows are final-night headliners The Swamp. The Guangzhou rockers will be making their eagerly awaited return to Hong Kong after successful visits in the past. 'We're all really looking forward to their performance,' says Yeung. 'This time, they're bringing another band with them from the mainland, The A. It will be the last night of the series and the start of a new year.' Come Out and Play II, tonight, tomorrow, Dec 31, Jan 1, 10.30pm, Fringe Club, $80 each show (includes one drink). Inquiries: 2396 2608