Askar Mamat at the Funhill Changyang Music Festival 2011. Zou Hong / China Daily

Even as Beijing-based rock band, Gala, swept the stage with their British-style pop-rock songs, and local jazz group, Golden Buddha, cooled the summer night with their smooth jazz beats, Uygur rocker Askar Mamat and his band stepped in to offer a fusion of modern rock and traditional Uygur sounds. "I am Askar and I come from a remote place. I want all of you to dance with me," he said and waved his arms. "Have you seen Uygur dance? Let's dance."

He then ushered two beautiful Uygur girls on stage, who clapped and twirled their long pink and purple skirts, to the accompaniment of traditional Uygur instruments such as the hand drum, besides Askar's guitar.

"I have been here in Beijing for 21 years. Although my Mandarin is still poor, I love the city," says the rocker, who started making music in the 1980s.

Askar was performing at the Funhill Changyang Music Festival 2011, held at the Riverfront Park, Changyang Town of Fangshan district, from Aug 26 to 28 - his first outdoor festival gig in a while.

Askar says he was drawn to the festival's variety of genres - pop and rock to jazz and electronic music.

A total of 38 singers and groups shared two stages for the three-day event. Veteran singers from Taiwan, including Julie Su and Chief Chao, made a rare appearance, much to the delight of the audience.

Alternative rock band, Your Favorite Enemies, and Japan punk group, Smash Up, were among the international lineups.

The festival took a bold move of introducing jazz, and organizers say it was aimed at breaking the stranglehold of rock music on outdoor music festivals.

Local rock hero Wang Feng closed the event with his trademark coarse voice and nearly 10 of his rock hits.

Despite rains, the first day of the festival pulled in an enthusiastic crowd of more than 20,000, who stayed till the very end.

The theme of this year's music festival was Beijing Fan'er, or the flavor of Beijing. Several photo exhibitions at the venue were focused on local Beijing culture, and many stalls selling typical Beijing snacks were set up.

The first Funhill Changyang Music Festival was held in September 2010, and pulled in more than 10,000 people every day.

China Daily