Poetic Laoshan | Folk Live on the ‘Island’, Carefree Moments Between Mountain and Sea
In Laoshan, stumble upon a seaside music live. Early summer on Wheat Island, the sea under clear skies glows a deep azure, while neat green lawns are dotted with clusters of bright flowers, and a gentle breeze now and then nudges the soap bubbles blown by children…
Photo by @Qingdao Huage
Photo by @Dai Ailing
Photo by @Pang Shucai
“This is the life we want, and it carries some of our ideals.” Walking and pausing on the rocky shore and pebble paths, spreading a picnic on the grass or gazing into the distance, embracing a loved one facing the sea – this place has recorded countless happy moments and joyful times, and of course, the sweet, healing melodies that drift by.
Photo by @Wang Yuanju
“Playing music alone is a unique state of mind; jamming with friends in a busy downtown feels one way, but making music with a group of music-dreaming buddies by the sea and on the grass is another, purer feeling. You can set aside work stress, fully enjoy the joy music brings, and just relax.” On the western slope of Wheat Island, there is a group of young people who love music and embrace life. Every weekend, they bring their instruments, and with the sound of waves and the setting sun, they meet old friends and make new ones, sharing the freedom and delight of music together.
Photo by @Pang Shucai
Quietly rising folk tunes – whose stories do they tell?
“I really champion the idea of ‘using music to record experiences and express feelings.’ I’ve been to a few places, lived through some stories, written some songs, and sharing these in class is the most wonderful and fitting way.” Chen Zhe is the founder of the ‘Little Caravan’ and a music teacher. He once had a decent job at Qingdao Television, but driven by his passion for music, he left that stable career, started his own small group to pass on music culture, and began living the life he had always longed for. “The original idea behind forming the Little Caravan band was to create a small gathering for practice and learning. Gradually, it evolved into a place for like-minded friends to connect.” The Little Caravan is a music project under the Qingdao Xiangjia Society. These kindred spirits, mostly born in the 80s and 90s, all have steady jobs – lawyers, office workers, Chinese teachers, university students… Because they all love music, they get together in their spare time.
Photo by @Pang Shucai
Music, films, travel… The dream of these life-loving young people is to turn the Little Caravan into a Big Caravan. They want to travel to every city and every small town, collect stories from different people, create and sing as they go, learn about the musical cultures of different regions, and share their love of music and passion for life with others. Perhaps in their original songs, you might hear your own story, or glimpses of different life paths.
Photo by @Pang Shucai
“I’ve started to miss the days on Wheat Island, miss the friends singing by the sea. Time is like the afterglow burning on the ocean… The people of Wheat Island are simple and kind…” — “Wheat Island”
This song was written by a singer friend of Chen Zhe from Shanghai after returning from Laoshan. Laoshan left him with romantic memories, and like many others, he used lyrics and notes to capture every little bit of Laoshan’s beauty.
This is a stage for everyone, a poetic time that belongs to all.
Without overly complex sound equipment or dazzling lights, just the scenery at hand accompanied by refreshing instruments and voices. Passersby can’t help but stop, listen to the songs accompanied by the sea breeze, chat, and savor a romantic moment that belongs to Laoshan.
Photo by @Zhang Haoyu
Photo by @Pang Shucai
Now, for some music lovers, coming to Wheat Island every Sunday has become a habit. The theme of each performance varies – sometimes it follows the seasons: for example, the Children’s Day performance theme was “Childhood’s Little Windmill,” and the summer solstice one was “Summer Night’s Rhythm.” There are also themes about “freedom,” “loneliness,” “retro,” or hot-topic specials like a Jay Chou tribute…
“I feel Qingdao is so wonderful, so romantic! I want to go up and sing a song, too.” This is a stage for everyone who loves life. Whether natives of Qingdao or visitors coming to Wheat Island from afar, when they pass by and hear the singing, they sit down on the ground or go up to perform a number. Some tango fans even start dancing as they listen…
Photo by @Pang Shucai
A live show by the sea is a treasure not to be missed. The guitar and folk music are so gentle, calming the heart. As night slowly falls, the warm setting sun casts its glow on the sea, sparkling with dots of silver light among the sails that drift near and far… Greet the romantic night with the music, and with the person beside you, quietly enjoy a stretch of poetic time between mountain, sea, and city.
Photo by @Pang Shucai
Photo by @Song Xin
Photo by @Pang Shucai
