WISE 2021 REVIEW
For the fourth edition of WISE we had 11 events in 4 cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Hamburg, and Berlin - in 4 days + The Metaverse. What a ride!
In total, we had a physical audience of close to 1000 people in China, while hosting more than 150 delegates between Beijing, Shanghai, Berlin + Hamburg (with our partner the Reeperbahn Festival). And a bunch more coming to our Metaverse activities in the virtual rooms we built & to the Rave Space, Berlin´s first virtual club.
A total of 124 companies and 24 artists/musicians participated.
Thank you all for being part of it!
RE-VISIT WISE 2021 @ OUR RECAP PAGE
All about the 2021 edition below
WISE 2021 AT A GLANCE
Check out our program in Beijing, Berlin, Shanghai, Hamburg, and the Metaverse.
WISE - The Future Festival & Think Tank is China’s most important global summit connecting thought leaders of the creative industries, science, and the tech community on both sides of the Great Firewall.
Now in its fourth year, WISE was founded by Philipp Grefer in Beijing in 2018 to spark cross-sectoral dialogue and connect innovators to discuss essential questions about how we want and should live in the future. It showcases new and established talent from various industries.
The pandemic-induced New Normal still holds us with a tight grip. A good moment to redefining the way of holding a festival and bringing people together.
As the Covid situation differs between WISE birthplace Beijing and its European headquarter Berlin, WISE also offers different approaches of how to do exactly this. Instead of flying humans across continents, WISE organizes local communities locally to connect them with other local communities globally. WISE, therefore, becomes the first festival that simultaneously organizes and bridges events in various cities in East & West.
So, what will happen this year?
FOCUS 1
(Asian) Music Industry & Culture
“The Future is Asian” is the title of a recent book by bestselling author Parag Khanna. As the center of the world is shifting eastwards, and the Chinese music industry is on its way to becoming the biggest in the world, it is indispensable to take a closer look at the culture that surrounds it.
Music industry delegates from Europe invited by WISE partner for the third year, Reeperbahn Festival, will meet their colleagues from the Far East for online sessions and matchmakings to network and exchange ideas.
On April 21st WISE will kick off with showcases of European bands in Berlin (presented by WISE) and Hamburg organized by Reeperbahn Festival International.
Meanwhile, in China, where the pandemic is mostly under control, we can continue our WISE by Night series with concerts, networking receptions, and club nights at landmark venues in Beijing and Shanghai on April 22-24.
The showcases of various European acts will then be broadcasted to industry delegates at the WISE by Night events as well as on leading Chinese streaming platforms.
FOCUS 2
“The Island(s) of New Realities” part II – Art & The Metaverse
Following up on our WISE 2020 project “The Island(s) of New Realities” we once more invite protagonists from the metaverse. Artists, musicians, gallerists, and technologists will join us in another dimension on April 24th. Check out the program for this climate crisis- and Covid consistent come together here.
+
REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL
We are very happy to have the Reeperbahn Festival as our partner at WISE for the third year now.
As in 2020, Reeperbahn Festival will present three European and one Chinese band in a hybrid showcase.
They will be joined by a delegation of 50+ European music industry professionals who will be meeting their Chinese counterparts at a business matchmaking on April 23rd. Curated by WISE x REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL, they will participate in panel discussions and virtual company visits in China.
Showcase acts:
AVA VEGAS, a diva in the making, evokes a distant dream of California noir á la Lana Del Ray as well as the silhouette of Nico dancing in a Berlin ballroom to a movie of David Lynch.
Meanwhile, LIE NING will enthrall you with his exceptional voice and charms feeling like a touch of smooth silk on your skin.
BOHAN PHOENIX, heralded by fans as “Mr. Overseas” for his seamless sonic blend of Chinese and American language and culture, will present his global blend of hip hop, indie rock, and soul.
APRIL 21-24
BEIJING, BERLIN, SHANGHAI, HAMBURG
DIGITALLY ACROSS THE GLOBE
LOOKING BACK
All about the previous WISE 2020 here
And find the 2019 Review here
STAY TUNED
Check the link below for more info to be announced and sign up for the newsletter or drop us an email at wise@wisenotwise.com
PREMIUM PARTNER
PARTNER BEIJING
PARTNER SHANGHAI
