The 2016 Strawberry Music Festival, an annual rock music festival featuring more than 20 renowned Chinese bands and singers, will be held next weekend. This year, big names like Hao Yun, Zuoxiao Zuzhou, Xie Tianxiao, Mr. Sea Turtle and Queen Sea Big Shark will take the stage.

Hao is renowned for his down-to-earth lyrics and singing style with Beijing serving as the setting for most of his songs. His album “Beijing” was released in 2008. He later released a second album “I Suddenly Think of Dreams.” This album tells the story of the time when he quit his job and started his music career. In one song, he mixed the sounds of children playing games and the ringing of bicycles. His latest album “To Live” was released in 2014 after he conducted interviews with 300 people discussing with them what it means to live a meaningful life.

 Hao Yun

Queen Sea Big Shark is a Beijing-based indie rock band. The group consists of lead singer and keyboardist Fu Han, guitarist Cao Pu, bassist Wang Jinghan and drummer Xiao Wu. The group formed in 2005. On how they got their name, Fu said: “One day we walked around Queensea Lake in Beijing, we saw a sign that read ‘This is mine, don’t even touch it, I’m queen sea big shark,’ then we thought, ‘Wow! That’s cool. Let’s take it.’”

Queen Sea Big Shark

They released their debut LP in 2007 under the Modern Sky label. In 2009, they released a song and music video, entitled “Let’s Play,” exclusive to the Converse China website. Also, that year, they embarked on a short American tour entitled “Sing for China” with other Beijing bands Hedgehog and Casino Demon. The tour was to promote awareness for AIDS in China. They released their album “Wave” in 2010.

Xie is an iconic rock star in China, especially for his original music. Known for his powerful live performances, Xie broke into the Chinese rock music scene in 1990. His first album “Cold Blooded Animal” in 2000 enabled him to perform hundreds of gigs in China, Europe, Japan and the United States.

Xie Tianxiao

Like a tide-battered traveler drifting back toward shore, Mr. Sea Turtle has ridden endless waves of inspiration. From ska to grunge, from drunken debauchery to staunch Christianity, from motherly lectures to sleepwalking delinquency, this indie rock trio has been swept up by countless influences that roll in like new tides.

 Mr. Sea Turtle

Time: 1:30 p.m., Nov. 19-20

Tickets: 180-220 yuan

Booking: 400-610-3721

Venue: Shenzhen Universiade Center, 3001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District (龙岗区龙翔大道3001号深圳龙岗大运中心)

Metro: Line 3, Universiade Station (大运站), Exit C