The touring Midi music festival, one of the biggest music carnivals in China, will get its first outing of the year on Saturday and Sunday, in Shanghai.

The event, with an emphasis on rock, will take place in Century Park, Pudong. Featured bands include the Ramones from the US, Nasser from France, and the locals Tongyang, Muma and Third Party.

Midi, first held in Beijing, enjoyed tremendous success in Shanghai last year when it was held there for the first time. More than 10,000 people attended each day, and organizers expect the number to double this year. "Wherever Midi is held it will remain faithful to its rock roots," said Zhang Fan, the founder.

"We won't play up to different markets; instead we will educate them. All the young people share the same passion … they want genuine artistic performances, and we are there to provide them."

The festival's theme this year is "PM 2.5", an important gauge of air pollution, which has become a serious public concern in China. The theme last year was "Love bear", a dig at bear bile producers. Previous themes have included environmental protection and peace.

"We want to say out aloud what we support and what we oppose," Zhang said.

"Ten years later when you look at the themes of Midi you will know what has happened to China over the decade." The festival's next stops will be Beijing, Rizhao in Shandong and Zhenjiang in Jiangsu.