PAC-U, Planet Art Council's Grand Launching Beach Concert Party was not just a major success as an event but a statement and a breakthrough in Shenzhen's live music and arts scene. With around 20 musical acts performing 9 hours straight from 3pm in the afternoon up to 12 midnight, set at Aloha Beach Club's beachfront area, it was one if not the longest and best beach concert organized in Shenzhen.
PAC-U kicked off with a brilliant performance by Peter Kruse (Eskimo Beach) with Ponch Vega on the saxophone, Butchoy (TAS) on Cahon percussion and on bass Sonny (Kaktooz). In an instant, the exhaustion was gone and a strange feeling filled the air, this is it, PAC-U the Grand Launching has started.
The event featured a diverse line-up of bands with different musical styles all of which make up Shenzhen's live music and arts scene. The full line-up of artists include Coco Chen, Gone Wild, Johnny Hutton, Jomar, Bolt Action, Dinorah Zamora, Flow Control, Kaktooz, Ponch Vega, Peter Kruse (Eskimo Beach), TAS (Terrace All Stars), The Banned, Mark Bamboo Jedi, Sasha of Quattro, Monkey Bros., Gerda (an impromptu guest), Mind The Gap, Harmony and May. Everyone who went up stage, or on the sand for that matter to perform were just outstanding. They were Shenzhen's premiere live acts and that day, the beach had it's share of best musical performances the city of Shenzhen can offer.
There were more artists who came who were not able to perform due to lack of time. From other fields of art we had photographers, film-makers and a tattoo artist (on our next featured news) who were present. There was also some raffle draws with prizes from The Terrace Bar and Peavey. Funk provided a brand new drums set which sounded great even at the outdoor beach environment. Monster Shirts was also there making awesome quick custom shirts turned works of art.
It was literally a mini-woodtstock on the beach and for the length of the 9 hours, Aloha's beach front was packed and rocking. All sorts of wild but fun (still safe to some extent) incidents happened one after another just adding up to the stories that those who were there can talk of long after PAC's launching. Kaktooz's Sonny was the main man who started a mayhem of fun. Standing up to it's principle and purpose of making a friendly network of artists from all disciplines without cultural boundaries, PAC-U was solid proof that it can be done. That day, everyone was united, tired but happy, fulfilled... and yes... everyone was wasted as well. This is only the start of events to unfold under PAC's umbrella not only Shenzhen but elsewhere. This is it and this is now...The PAC has arrived! |
Random photos courtesy of photographers, guests and friends who attended the event.
Soon we will have a picture gallery featuring works of Planet Art Council photographers.