In the backer zone, there were plenty of vagabond singers, most of them part of Capital City's local showbiz community.
Unlike the bands and wandering singers who came from out of town, the locals rarely camped out in the wild parks. Naturally, two distinct circles had formed: the outsiders in the campgrounds, and the locals here in the city.
Of course, the divide wasn't a hard line. Plenty of people knew each other, hung out, or shared mutual friends. There wasn't really hostility between the two groups.
But still, the difference was there.
Take the inner circle, for example. When it came to fame and status, Liao Jia and Lu Chen were undoubtedly at the top. Among Capital City's vagabond singers, the two commanded far more respect and attention than they ever got from the outsiders, who were more eager to topple them on stage than to honor them off it.
And who was Liao Jia?
He is a big brother figure in the domestic pop scene, famous for his boldness and generosity.
As for Lu Chen, he was the rising star. His story had already turned into a legend in the Capital City circuit: how one song, In Spring, had catapulted the wandering band Hesitation into stardom. People were still talking about it like it had happened yesterday.
So when the two of them started talking, a lot of heads turned. And when Liao Jia suddenly challenged Lu Chen to a bet, not a single person bothered looking at the big TV screens anymore.
This was where the real show was happening!
Lu Chen, noticing all the curious eyes on him, chuckled. "Inviting just me? That's out of the question. If we're doing this, then everyone gets invited. What do you all think?"
The local singers gave him face. Whether they'd caught his words clearly or not, they immediately roared in agreement.
Cheering costs nothing, after all.
"You brat, you think you've got me cornered?" Liao Jia cursed, half-angry and half-amused. "Keep dreaming! Fine, everyone's invited. Whoever loses sets up tables at the Emperor's, as many as it takes for everyone to have a seat!"
Now the message was clear to everyone. Faces lit up, and the crowd erupted.
"Big Brother Liao is the best!"
The Emperor's wasn't just any restaurant. It was one of Capital City's most famous five-star establishments. Even their buffet went for 388 yuan a head, and private banquets were way pricier. With at least a hundred people in the backer zone, that meant ten tables minimum!
Liao Jia smirked proudly at Lu Chen. 'Kid, you really think you can outplay me? I've already got you beat.'
Lu Chen just smiled back. "Then it's settled."
He stretched out his hand. Liao Jia met it, and their palms smacked together with a sharp crack.
Bang!
Just like that, they'd created one of the most talked-about side stories of this year's 72H Grassland Music Festival.
In truth, for both men, treating a few dozen tables at the Emperor's wasn't even worth a blink. This was nothing more than a game between them, a bit of fun and adrenaline.
So naturally, the conversation soon shifted back to the festival itself.
After downing two cans of beer, Liao Jia, already a little tipsy, began critiquing the singers and bands on stage, their presence, their works, their vocal skills, everything.
Out of everyone there, he was the only one with the credentials to pull that off. Even Lu Chen didn't quite have that authority yet.
And Liao Jia didn't mince words. If he thought something was good, he said so directly. If he thought it was trash, he said that too. No meaningless pleasantries, no sugarcoating. His commentary was sharp, direct, and right on the mark.
Lu Chen mostly listened, occasionally throwing in a line or two of his own.
Meanwhile, the vagabond singers around them drew closer, ears perked. After all, one of the core missions of the 72H Grassland Music Festival was exchange. To hear a pop industry heavyweight offering live critiques, this was a rare chance. For them, it wasn't just entertainment. It was a precious opportunity to broaden their horizons and sharpen their craft.
The saying goes: a stone from another mountain can polish jade. Learning from others' strengths, measuring yourself against their weaknesses, that was how one grew.
As time passed, Liao Jia's enthusiasm for talking shop showed no sign of waning. Around him and Lu Chen, vagabond singers came and went, some leaving for their turn on stage, others drifting in to replace them, gradually forming a little circle of their own in the backer zone.
The lineup of performers at the 72H Grassland Music Festival was a mixed bag. Of course, there were heavyweight names anchoring the event: tonight alone had stars like Liao Jia and Lu Chen, along with several other well-known local vagabond singers.
But regardless of rank or fame, everyone's stage slot was scheduled toward the latter half. If the timetable held, Liao Jia would be taking the stage around 7:30 in the evening.
Lu Chen's slot was an hour later.
Then again, times were never set in stone here. Unlike a typical platter-style concert, 72H stretched over long hours, with plenty of room for changes. And the biggest variable came down to encores.
On this stage, it didn't matter if you were a complete nobody, a singer no one had ever heard of, a band with zero reputation. As long as you brought an exceptional song, or displayed jaw-dropping talent, the audience would give you recognition, love, and demand you back for more.
The audience's reaction was the only standard that mattered. The longer and louder the applause, the more heartfelt the cries for an encore, the greater the honor for the one on stage.
True, 72H gave out no trophies, no prize money. But here, it was entirely possible to become famous overnight.
Which was why every singer and band who stepped up brought their full strength.
Among the dozen or so performers and four bands who'd already played, one singer and one band had stood out, earning high praise from Liao Jia himself.
Most notable was the female vagabond singer Mu Mu. Accompanying herself on guitar, she delivered a song called Dewdrop that made Liao Jia slap the table in excitement. The audience went wild, thundering with applause and literally begging for an encore until she sang a second song.
"You should sign her," Liao Jia told Lu Chen.
Lu Chen was caught off guard.
He also thought this Mu Mu had serious talent, but at the moment his workshop wasn't looking to sign anyone.
Take too big a step, and you risk tearing something, after all. And beyond the festival, the Capital City already had plenty of capable singers without contracts. If Lu Chen's workshop put out word that they were recruiting, talent would be lining up at the door.
So even if he missed out on Mu Mu, it wasn't exactly a tragedy.
But to Liao Jia, Lu Chen's indifference was intolerable. He gave him a withering look.
"Don't tell me, you're just scared your girl will get jealous, so you don't dare sign a female singer, huh?"
He snorted twice. "I'll admit, your girl is pretty formidable."
Lu Chen had nothing to say to that.
At last, 7:00 p.m. rolled around. It was finally Liao Jia's turn to take the stage.
The timing had shifted earlier instead of later, thanks to a few singers before him dropping out or requesting schedule changes. At a festival like this, it was nothing unusual.
The moment he walked on, the crowd roared their welcome.
And he didn't disappoint. His very first number was an original, Anniversary.
A pure-blooded Chinese rock anthem!
(End of Chapter)
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