Ring in the New Year with... Jean-Michel Jarre!

Video by Lin Songtao

Electronic music aficionados can look forward to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration featuring eight hours of non-stop performances at the Shenzhen International Electronic Music & Art Festival (S.E.A.), scheduled for Dec. 31 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre (1st row L) and Chinese director Lang Kun sign with S.E.A during a press conference in Nanshan District on Tuesday afternoon. Photos by Lin Songtao except otherwise stated

Co-produced by French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre and esteemed Chinese directors Lang Kun and Xia Feng, the event will commence at 4 p.m. and run until 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025, as announced during a press conference in Nanshan District on Tuesday.

Showcasing a diverse array of electronic music genres performed by both domestic and international musicians, the event will offer attendees a lavish and immersive music experience.

Jarre’s special bond with China

A revered figure in France who is often hailed as the “Father of Electronic Music,” Jarre gained international fame with the 1976 release of his groundbreaking “Oxygene” album, which TIME magazine deemed “a French revolution that shook the world.”

Jarre also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest concert audience, which was set in 1997 when he performed for 3.5 million people. In 2021, he was honored with the highest rank of the Legion of Honor — Commander of the French Legion of Honor. At the age of 76, Jarre headlined the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a captivating performance infused with French romanticism.

Jean-Michel Jarre and his wife, famous Chinese actress Gong Li. File photo

Jarre’s enduring connection with China dates back decades. In 1981, he became the first Western European artist to perform in China when he staged five concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. For many Chinese audiences, it was their first encounter with electronic music.

Lang, one of China’s most prominent directors, recounting his memories of Jarre’s first visit to China during an interview with Shenzhen Daily, shared, “I was a student at the Central Conservatory of Music when Jarre first came to China in 1981. We welcomed him with flowers at the airport, and the next day, I attended his concert. It was an electrifying experience. Jarre has always had a deep emotional connection to China, and this bond has only grown over the years.”

Reflecting on Jarre’s more recent visit to China, Lang said, “This time in China, he was especially interested in Chinese culture — watching folk performances and listening to traditional erhu music. He’s constantly exploring how to bring the essence of Chinese culture to Europe.”

Lang, emphasizing Jarre’s pivotal role in propelling China’s electronic music scene onto the global stage, noted, “While China’s electronic music industry has been growing in recent years, we need a figure of Jarre’s stature to help us break into the global market. We’ve signed a five-year partnership with him to achieve this goal.”

Jean-Michel Jarre performs at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France, on Sept. 8. File photo

Technology meets art

The festival pledges to fuse cutting-edge technology with creative artistry. Taking place in the “city of technology,” the event will feature an exceptional blend of art and innovation. Several groundbreaking technologies are slated to make their debut, ensuring a sensory-rich experience that goes far beyond music alone.

“Electronic music is inseparable from technology,” said Jarre. “All music is, in some way, influenced by technology. Shenzhen’s rapid development and creativity have captured the world’s attention. We want to bring music, art, and technology together to present Shenzhen not just to China, but to the world. Creativity, vision, and culture will shape the future, and they hold the potential to improve our relationship with the world,” Jarre added.

During an interview with Shenzhen Daily, Jarre lauded Shenzhen’s remarkable transformation. “In 40 years, Shenzhen has grown from a small village into a global technological hub. This city has enormous creative and innovative potential. I believe it’s time to build a bridge between technology, arts, and music. Electronic music is perfect for this because it uses technology to create emotions,” he said.

Jean-Michel Jarre receives an interview in Shenzhen on Tuesday. 

As for why Shenzhen was chosen as the venue for this major event, Lang explained, “Shenzhen’s advanced modernization and technological prowess have garnered Jarre’s admiration. He even draws parallels between Shenzhen and Silicon Valley. He believes that a modern city like Shenzhen deserves a modern form of performance. The technological elements of the concert are all facilitated by Shenzhen-based companies, showcasing the city’s innovation and creativity.”

Avant-garde stage design

The festival’s stage design will be unlike anything seen before. Jarre’s vision extends beyond conventional international aesthetics, aiming for a “cosmic” concept that sets this performance apart. “Jarre aspires to elevate the experience to a universal level,” Lang explained. “Our stage design team, led by Shang Tianbao, is working around the clock, and several versions have already been drafted,” he noted.

(From L to R) Chinese director Lang Kun, French electronic music legend Jean-Michel Jarre, and Chinese director Xia Feng pose for a photo during a press conference in Nanshan District on Tuesday afternoon. 

Shang, the festival’s visual director, sharing insights into the ambitious stage design, explained, “Our visual effects and stage design will be deeply integrated with the theme of ‘Technology Empowering Culture.’ We aim to create a sensory feast for audiences by using advanced technologies, beautiful imagery, and a reimagined use of the venue’s space. The concert will explore the human relationship with the cosmos — our understanding of the universe will be a key theme of the event.”

“Shenzhen isn’t just a tech hub — it’s also a stunning coastal city. We want to seize this opportunity to use the city as a canvas, showcasing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures through music. We’ve moved beyond cultural differences. Music knows no borders, and I believe beauty knows no borders either. This concert will truly celebrate that universal language,” Shang added.

SHENZHEN INTL. ELECTRONIC MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL

TIME: 4 p.m. Dec. 31-12:30 a.m. Jan. 1, 2025

VENUE: Shenzhen Bay Sports Center

Brief introduction to key figures

Jean-Michel Jarre

Jarre, a national treasure of France and revered as the “Father of Electronic Music,” gained international fame with his groundbreaking 1976 album “Oxygene,” which Time magazine described as “a French revolution that shook the world.” Jarre also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest concert audience, having performed for 3.5 million people in 1997. In 2019, Jarre married famous Chinese actress Gong Li. In 2021, he was honored with the highest rank of the Legion of Honor — Commander of the French Legion of Honor. At the age of 76, Jarre headlined the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, delivering an electrifying performance infused with French romanticism.

Lang Kun

Lang is a renowned Chinese director and the former head of the Arts Program Center at the China Media Group (CMG). He has served as the chief director of the China Central Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala on five occasions (1991, 1994, 2005, 2006, 2009) and played a key role in establishing CCTV’s Music and Opera Channels as their director. He has created popular programs such as “Super Variety Show,” “National Treasure,” “Chinese Folk Songs,” and “Avenue of Stars.” Additionally, he has founded competitions like the CCTV Ethnic Instrumental Music Competition and the CCTV Piano and Violin Competition. Furthermore, he has organized bilingual New Year’s and Mid-Autumn Festival galas.

Xia Feng

Xia is a National A-Class Director and senior advisor at the Shenzhen Media Group. Additionally, he holds esteemed positions such as Vice President of the Television Arts Committee of the China Television Artists Association, Director of the Pop Music Association under the China Musicians Association, and Vice Chairman of the Television Arts Committee of the Guangdong Television Artists Association. Throughout his illustrious career, he has been honored with numerous prestigious awards including the “China Journalism Award,” the “China Radio and Television News Award,” and the “China Television Golden Eagle Award.”