In a continued effort to prevent tragedies like the New Years Eve stampede in Shanghai, Chinese officials have cracked down on music festival regulations. A horrific total of 36 people were killed in that inhuman rush for coupons, and the Chinese government is doing the best they can to promote health and safety for upcoming events. The Strawberry Festival, Beijing’s most popular outdoor event, was just refused its permit for the first time in its existence. Other locally renowned festivals, such as MIDI and INTRO, have relocated elsewhere to avoid certain suppression from the government.
Vice News got to the bottom of this debacle in an interview with Akita International University professor Willy Lam – a Japanese expert on Chinese studies. An acting adjunct professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr. Lam proved his expansive knowledge on the subject by explaining, “Officials are paranoid about running foul of President Xi and other powerful figures so they don’t take any chances there.” In other words, Beijing officials feel like President Xi’s authorities are constantly breathing down their neck, so they are overcompensating with their preventative measures so they do not risk losing their jobs.
Although the current crackdown of festivals, among other events, is significantly overpowering, promoters are unsure of the future of Beijing’s live shows. Several are optimistic that the severe apprehension will gradually dissolve, while others are certain that this overriding intervention will continue to increase in order to protect the culture and safety of the Chinese people. Regardless of the outcome, we can be certain that festival-goers and promoters will suffer for the foreseeable future. 
H/T: Dancing Astronaut
