Music festival to showcase fusion of AI and traditional music

Guangming District is set to host the highly anticipated 2nd Guangming Rural Music Festival, promising spectacular performances that blend tradition with innovation.

A poster for the 2nd Guangming Rural Music Festival. Photos from WeChat official account "深圳光明"

A highlight of this year’s festival is the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra’s presentation of the AI-enhanced “Hear the Colors of China” series, to be held at Guangming Science City—a vibrant center for technological advancement.

The orchestra breaks new ground by employing artificial intelligence algorithms to explore the secrets of traditional Chinese music. This innovative collaboration offers audiences a unique sensory experience.

Organized by the district's publicity department, the festival sparks curiosity about what happens when classical Chinese music meets modern AI technology.

“Hear the Colors of China” explores a rich palette of emotions associated with different traditional Chinese colors. The concert artistically translates these colors into sound, bringing the underlying emotions vividly to life. Complementing the music, performers will don costumes bursting with vibrant hues that resonate with the thematic colors.

The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra performs at a concert. 

Key performances include “Rubbing Blue,” “Pine Flower,” and “Light Purple,” all composed with the assistance of “Qin Yue,” Tencent Music’s pioneering AI music model developed by the Tianqin Laboratory—the company’s first dedicated AI audio-video research center.

This collaboration began by instructing the AI to generate music based on textual descriptions. Musicians then adapted and arranged the AI-created melodies to showcase the distinctive character of traditional Chinese instruments. This creative process fostered fresh artistic inspiration and pushed the boundaries of innovation within the realm of Chinese folk music.

Festival organizers also emphasize sustainability, encouraging attendees to use eco-friendly transportation as there will be no onsite parking. To support green travel, a special shuttle bus service will run from Fenghuangcheng Metro Station to the North Plaza of Minghu Park on May 10 and 11 between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The festival invites music lovers, tech enthusiasts, and cultural explorers alike to immerse themselves in a celebration where heritage meets the future in perfect harmony. Don’t miss this exciting fusion of tradition and innovation in one of Shenzhen’s most dynamic venues.