Let it rock: Ngu Cung (The Pentatonic) perform during the Rock Storm concert in Hai Phong on Sunday. — Photo courtesy haiphongonline.net

HA NOI (VNS) - Rock Storm 2012, the year's most eagerly awaited event for rock music fans, opened in the northern city of Hai Phong on Sunday before moving on to six other cities.

Under the theme this year of Breakthrough Desire, the fifth annual concert event kicked off at May To Stadium and left Hai Phong fans screaming for more.

It arrives in Ha Noi on December 29 and then passes through Hue on January 5, Da Nang on January 12, Bien Hoa on January 19, HCM City on January 26 and Can Tho on January 31.

Each show will be divided into two parts including performances by well-known bands such as Buc Tuong (The Wall), Microwave, Ngu Cung (The Pentatonic) and Unlimited, as well as emerging artists.

Composer Quoc Trung, general director of this year's concert, said, "After two years working in this position, I have gained a lot of experience of how to put on a real rock show."

Trung, who is also a judge for Viet Nam Idol 2012, said Rock Storm was an important programme for young people.

"Rock is a music genre that makes people come alive," he said. "I'm not a rocker nor a rock fan but joining in the event, I feel younger like I was a student 30 years ago."

In addition to Trung, the production crew also includes Masaki Azuma from Japan, who oversees the sound system; Doan Chi Nghia, who is in charge of the bands; and lighting designer Julian Hodgson from Scotland.

Azuma said he was excited to participate in this year's event.

"Many young rock bands performing is a new feature of this year's event," he said. "They have a chance to show their ability on a professional stage, and their participation promotes Vietnamese rock music. I totally support the organising board's initiative.

"It is harder working with so many bands with different styles, but I love co-operating with enthusiastic artists who have potential. I will be a bridge between them and the audience and give them the best quality sound."

Tickets cost VND30,000 and can be booked via SMS using the rockstorm.vn system. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to Operation Smile, bringing free surgeries to disadvantaged children with cleft palates. — VNS