The Ngu Cung (Pentatonic) band will perform with other well-known rock bands at the first Rock Concert 2014. — VNS File Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The first-ever Rock Concert will entertain local rock fans with two live performances later this month and early next month in Ha Noi and HCM City.

Called Battleship, the Rock Concert 2014 will be held in Hang Day and Hoa Lu stadia on April 26 and May 10 respectively.

According to the organisers, the event will be held every midyear when there is a shortage of quality, large-scale rock shows.

The Rock Concert is being considered to be a "weighty competitor" to RockStorm which is held nationwide during the last few months of the year. The organising crew will be the same. Japanese audio veteran and sound engineer Masaaki Azuma will be back, following his involvement with RockStorm 2013.

"We promise to bring our best crew. Seven of the 30 rock bands from RockStorm will be singled out and brought on board this 'Battleship'," said general director and musician Tran Lap.

"Often rock fans have to wait a long time for a 'rock tour' and bands too 'hibernate' for at least eight months. Now such a show in summer will help to slake the fans' thirst," said Lap, head of the famous band The Wall.

Battleship aims to convey the message that "Vietnamese rock is sailing on the sea and will soon make landfall, and meet the lovers of rock bands."

"We have the same organising team and lighting facilities. It can be said that our investment is quite similar to that of RockStorm. Thus, the biggest challenge is to make it different from RockStorm," Lap said, regarding the challenges they face.

Lap was the director of the first three RockStorm seasons.

Rock Concert 2014 will feature famous bands such as The Wall, Hai bot, Quai Vat Ti Hon (Tiny Monsters), Microwave, Ngu Cung (Pentatonic), Oringchains, Black Infinity and PAK band.

The shows expect to attract a 15,000-strong audience. The tickets are priced at VND120,000, or US$5.7, each, while the early birds can get them for VND95,000. — VNS