Event Details
For a century, China Institute of America has been dedicated to deepening the world’s understanding of China. In celebration of their Centennial, SummerStage brings two takes on the future sounds of Chinese pop to Central Park.
The K-pop boy band NCT is so massive that it’s become its own ecosystem, spinning off members into their own sub-groups that establish their own voice. WayV are the fourth such to spin off—and its first China-based collective—recording pop songs that fuse hip-hop and dance with R&B-stylized vocals sung in Mandarin since their 2019 debut EP The Vision. They’re joined by THE EITHER, formed in New York in 2017. Their sound — Post-Orientalism — rebuilds Eastern elements for today, blending electrified traditional instruments, Chinese opera-inspired vocals, progressive rock energy, and compositions with a strong Eastern melodic identity into a bold, future-facing performance.
The K-pop boy band NCT is so massive that it’s become its own ecosystem, spinning off members into their own sub-groups that establish their own voice. WayV are the fourth such to spin off—and its first China-based collective—recording pop songs that fuse hip-hop and dance with R&B-stylized vocals sung in Mandarin since their 2019 debut EP The Vision. They’re joined by THE EITHER, formed in New York in 2017. Their sound — Post-Orientalism — rebuilds Eastern elements for today, blending electrified traditional instruments, Chinese opera-inspired vocals, progressive rock energy, and compositions with a strong Eastern melodic identity into a bold, future-facing performance.
About SummerStage
The 2026 season lineup is here! Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, the season features more than 60 shows in 13 parks and honors SummerStage history by presenting beloved veterans and tomorrow’s icons.
In June 1986, the first-ever SummerStage show kicked off with avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Both the park and the city’s cultural landscape were forever changed. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. Whether attending since the very first show or discovering SummerStage more recently through performances by Jon Batiste, The Roots, Marcus Miller, or Soccer Mommy, audiences have continued to dance, sing, and groove together.
In June 1986, the first-ever SummerStage show kicked off with avant-garde Afrofuturist Sun Ra Arkestra at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Both the park and the city’s cultural landscape were forever changed. In the 40 years since, SummerStage has presented thousands of global artists to audiences numbering over seven million, bringing free live performances to neighborhood parks across the city. Whether attending since the very first show or discovering SummerStage more recently through performances by Jon Batiste, The Roots, Marcus Miller, or Soccer Mommy, audiences have continued to dance, sing, and groove together.
Location
Central Park
Rumsey Playfield
New York, NY 10021
Images: Courtesy of SummerStage 2026