Singer-songwriter Xiao Ke has brought a nostalgic glimpse of 1980s campus folk music to the stage with his latest musical, Campus Folk Songs, which premiered on June 6 and will run through July 9 at the Xiao Ke Theater in Beijing's 798 Art Zone. The production revisits a formative era when mainland Chinese students embraced folk melodies from Taiwan, capturing the youthful spirit, romanticism, and cultural exchanges that defined that period.
Inspired by an encounter in 2025 with a Xiamen University alumnus who shared memories of music and student life in the 1980s, Xiao Ke sought to preserve the era’s cultural essence through performance. Set in 1987, the narrative follows Beijing university student Xiao Mu as he discovers and traces the roots of Taiwan folk songs, journeying from Beijing to Xiamen and uncovering a tapestry of musical stories along the way.
Xiao Ke, whose real name is Ke Zhaolei, drew upon his personal history and musical background to authentically recreate the 1980s soundscape in the musical. The score features a blend of original songs alongside reimagined folk classics, emphasizing melody rather than modern, rhythm-driven production. Notable pieces include “Wandering Child,” a song Xiao Ke composed as a teenager, reflecting the poignant experience of returning to mainland China from Taiwan, and “Poetry,” which integrates verses from prominent poets of the decade to highlight the era’s fusion of literary and musical arts.
The emotional weight of the material resonated strongly during rehearsals, with cast members reportedly moved to tears while performing songs such as “Message Across the Sea,” a testament to the lasting impact of these melodies. Xiao Ke described the production as both a tribute and a historical record, intending to share a generation’s dreams and connections with modern audiences, even as the actors themselves are significantly younger than the characters they portray.
Collaboration was also key in the development of the musical’s theme song, “Thank You for Letting Me Meet You,” which Xiao Ke co-created with longtime friend Ye Bei. The song marks a pivotal emotional moment in the storyline and serves as a personal reflection of gratitude for those who have influenced the artist’s life. Ye Bei recalled the partnership as effortless, recalling the premiere as a poignant experience akin to revisiting a photographic album of youth.
Born in Beijing and trained in classical music, Xiao Ke has had a prolific career since the mid-1990s, spanning pop hits and musical theater productions. He is known for writing songs for major artists such as Faye Wong and Eason Chan, and for composing “Beijing Welcomes You,” the anthem that marked the 100-day countdown to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He launched the Xiao Ke Theater around 15 years ago to create a dedicated space for independent songwriting and theatrical works, focusing on musicals penned by himself.
Looking ahead, Xiao Ke plans to stage Journey to the West (Xiyou Duji) in October, a reimagining of the classic tale that highlights character relationships through advanced 3D technology. He is also composing his first opera, The Last Lover, which explores futuristic themes involving artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and the nature of humanity. Xiao Ke emphasized that while AI has played a crucial role in generating complex vocal parts for the opera, he views it strictly as a creative tool rather than a replacement for human artistry.
Reflecting on his evolving career, Xiao Ke described his journey from pop music and musicals to opera as a continuous search for new creative challenges and innovative artistic expression.