Qi – Hong Kong
Qi are an original rock band serving up good-time glitter/grunge grooves – spiked with stadium-sized hooks, spiced with rough-gutter edges and soaked in open-hearted soul.
Since emerging on the Hong Kong scene in summer 2019, Qi have rocked festivals including H2, AUOM and LKF Chillax Beer & Music Fest, and gigged all the island’s top venues including The Aftermath Bar, Peel Fresco, Rula Live and – of course – The Wanch, where they played every month all winter long.
Qi’s debut release, an eight-track, LP-length collection entitled Solstice – recorded at Hong Kong’s Sunset Studios in a single day and mixed by industry veteran Philip Daryl Emond – was released on Vintage Vinyl HK in May 2020.
The quintet opened 2021 with the Racing for Our Lives EP, a three-track collection conceived and recorded during lockdown and led by the biting rocker Racing for Your Life, described by by The Underground as “a tribute to the life-affirming power of live music perfectly calibrated to have a roomful of revelers singing along … Music that is ideally meant to be played live, loud, and among friends.”
A fractured harmony of big ideas and bigger personalities, Qi brings together a quintet of disparate musical voices from across East and Southeast Asia, Europe and the Middle East – five musicians united in their shared mission to promote peace, love and groove.
Hyperbolic press blurb and fan praise:
“Solstice is a fast-paced Glam Rock sexual romp – from the first track to the finale the band has more than enough Qi to keep the audience entertained.
“Solstice definitely works … The songs are catchy, full of musical creativity and live energy… the lyrics are very good. … Energy that’s what Solstice has. Energy, Sex and Fun” – Cyril Ma, reviewing debut LP SOLSTiCE for The Underground HK
“[#QI] look like they intend to go global: I hope the world embraces them – Hong Kong could do with a world-beating export right about now ..
“The Qi phenomenon. Ear worms galore. Qi’s choicest charms are stadium fodder” – press: release
“Narratives of escape, of rescue, and of sometimes being the one left behind … all carried along by confident, hook-heavy, 90s-inflected rock.
“A tribute to the life-affirming power of live music perfectly calibrated to have a roomful of revelers rocking back and forth, singing along …
“Look forward to … Qi reminding everyone what freedom feels like at maximum volume” – The Underground, reviewing the Racing for Your Lives EP
“Exceeded all my expectations – you guys are definitely in my top 5 favourite bands in Hong Kong” – Chris B, founder of The Underground HK
“Qi are five guys with a killer-glam lead singer – crazy sequins and slick-backed hair” – 852 Mag
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