Re-Tros

Re-Tros
重塑雕像的权利
OriginBeijing, China
GenresPost-punk, experimental rock, indie rock
Years active2003–present
LabelsModern Sky (摩登天空)
Members
  • Hua Dong (华东) – vocals, guitar, keyboards
  • Liu Min (刘敏) – bass, vocals, keyboards
  • Huang Jin (黄锦) – drums, percussion

Re-Tros, stylized as Re-TROS (an abbreviation of Rebuilding the Rights of Statues, Chinese: 重塑雕像的权利) is a Chinese rock band formed in Beijing in 2003. The group is noted for blending post-punk and experimental rock elements, with intricate arrangements, electronics and an energetic live presence that has drawn international attention.[1][2]

History

Formation and early years (2003–2009)

Re-Tros formed in 2003 in Beijing. The current core line-up comprises Hua Dong (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Liu Min (bass, vocals, keyboards) and Huang Jin (drums, percussion). The band signed to the Chinese label Modern Sky and released the EP Cut Off! in 2005; during the recording, Brian Eno contributed improvised parts using synthesizers and electronic treatments, which drew attention within China’s indie scene.[3]

The band’s early activity included Beijing livehouse performances and a national tour following the EP release. In 2009, Re-TROS issued their first full-length album, Watch Out! Climate Has Changed, Fat Mum Rises..., expanding their palette with more electronic and experimental elements.[2]

International activity and Before the Applause (2010–2017)

In 2011, Re-Tros toured Australia with Gang of Four and appeared at Japan’s Summer Sonic festival.[4] In 2013, they supported Public Image Ltd on the group’s first shows in China.[5]

Re-TROS released their second studio album, Before the Applause (2017), produced by Hector Castillo (known for work with David Bowie, Lou Reed and Björk). The record received positive critical notices in English-language media: The Quietus praised its boundary-blurring approach between post-punk and electronica,[1] while Loud and Quiet awarded it four stars.[6]

Later in 2017, the band opened European arena dates for Depeche Mode on their Global Spirit Tour,[7][8] and appeared as the opening act for The xx in Beijing during the band’s Asia tour.[9] They also toured North America that year, including as co-headliners or tour partners with Xiu Xiu.[10]

Domestic profile and large-scale shows (2018–2021)

In 2018, Re-Tros received recognition at domestic music awards for Before the Applause, including honours at the CMA Music Awards such as Band of the Year and Best Rock Album.[11]

The group participated in the 2020 reality music programme The Big Band (Season 2) on iQIYI, which broadened their mainstream visibility.[12]

In May 2021, Re-Tros launched the arena-scale concert series, After the Applause, with a headline show at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai reported at around 10,000 attendees—unusual for a Chinese indie rock act.[13][14]

Recent years (2022–present)

Between 2022 and 2023, Re-Tros undertook their InBetween China tour. In 2024, the band mounted the RE+ North American tour with Liars and Battles, covering eight cities including New York, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Boston and Chicago.[15] In April 2024, Re-TROS recorded a live session at KEXP in Seattle; the performance video was published in May 2024.[16]

During the 40th anniversary of China–France diplomatic relations, the band performed at the China–France Next Beats Beyond Borders Youth Music Festival alongside Jean-Benoît Dunckel and others.[17] Later in 2024, Re-Tros toured the UK (London and Manchester) and appeared in China and Japan on co-bills with Zazen Boys.[18]

Musical style

Critics have described Re-Tros' sound as a tense and minimalist hybrid of post-punk, electronics and experimental rock, balancing a cold, mechanical edge with bursts of live intensity.[1][2]

Critical reception

The Quietus lauded Before the Applause as “a bold, unpredictable record that blurs boundaries between post-punk and electronica.”[1] Billboard highlighted the dark, visually striking video for “Sounds for Celebration.”[19] Loud and Quiet praised the album’s internationalist sensibility.[6]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Cut Off! (EP, 2005)[3]
  • Watch Out! Climate Has Changed, Fat Mum Rises... (2009)[2]
  • Before the Applause (2017)[1]

Selected singles

  • "Viva Murder" (demo, 2012)
  • "Pigs in the River" (2017)
  • "8+2+8 II" (2017)
  • "8+2+8 I" (Paul Frick Remix) (2017)
  • "Three-Body" (2023)

Tours

Selected international tours

Major domestic concerts

  • After the Applause arena series (2021–2024), incl. Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, 22 May 2021).[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Clarke, Patrick (14 September 2017). "Voyaging Further Outwards: Re-TROS' Before The Applause". The Quietus. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Re-TROS: 'We don't always want to be on the same road'". Time Out Shanghai. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b "重塑雕像的权利 2005–2006 年重要行程（新闻综合）". Sina Entertainment (in Chinese). 5 April 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Interview with Re-TROS". Offshore. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Re-TROS: early 2010s international supports". Offshore. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Re-TROS – Before the Applause". Loud and Quiet. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Global Spirit Tour – Dates and support". Depeche Mode Archives. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Chinese rock stars open Depeche Mode's UK tour". Music Republic Magazine. November 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  9. ^ "The xx 北京站演出现场报道（含开场嘉宾重塑雕像的权利）". Sohu (in Chinese). 26 January 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Xiu Xiu announce tour with Re-TROS". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  11. ^ "2018 CMA 音乐奖颁奖礼要点回顾". Sohu (in Chinese). 31 July 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  12. ^ "《乐队的夏天2》相关报道（含重塑雕像的权利）". People.cn (in Chinese). 12 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  13. ^ a b Lau, Elly (31 May 2021). "Re-TROS' China concert: 10,000 people attend biggest Shanghai show in 2021". Bandwagon Asia. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  14. ^ a b "10,000 people attend Re-TROS arena show in Shanghai". IQ Magazine. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Beijing's Re-TROS announce North American tour with Liars & Battles". BrooklynVegan. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  16. ^ Re-TROS – Live on KEXP. YouTube. KEXP. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  17. ^ "New Electronic Music × New Jazz × New Rock — 2024 China–France Youth Music". BCAF (in Chinese). Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Re-TROS Japan Special Set Tour with Zazen Boys". Club Quattro. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Liars' Angus Andrew directs Re-TROS' dark & trippy "Sounds for Celebration" (exclusive)". Billboard. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Re-TROS (UK dates, 2024)". Music Republic Magazine. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
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