Kurt Groetsch @ OldTasty.com

Well, the Cui Jian/Deep Purple show was last night and as expected, Cui Jian’s opening set was cut short per government order. Adding insult to injury, he was only allowed to play four songs, two fewer than the six we’d heard rumors about. Given the fact that he’s playing full 15-song sets in Shanghai and Guangzhou, it would appear that the informal ban that causes him so many problems in Beijing is still in place:

“China has opened up considerably,” Youdai concedes. “But for Cui Jian, it’s still the same.”

The link between Cui Jian and the Tiananmen movement made him into an international celebrity. “The foreign press wrote about Cui Jian. They still do, and always about Tiananmen,” said Youdai. “It’s an unshakable association.”

As a result, the unofficial ban stands. “We still can do shows, but Beijing is tough,” said Chen. To Beijing’s staid officials, Cui Jian has too much baggage.

I’m disappointed of course — I still haven’t been able to catch a full performance by the guy — but I’m even more disappointed for him. I just hope he doesn’t stop trying. Things have to get better eventually…

Deep Purple? They were ok, and credit is due because they’re still doing it after 35 years. Not my cup of tea though.

Corrrection: Cui Jian actually played 5 songs on Wednesday. It’s still only a third of the songs he’ll get to play elsewhere. Thanks to Dongjia for the information.