A mammoth Friday night special - as music patrons gather for 3rd Crescendo - a festival highlighting the transporting, mystifying, and beguiling world of experimental, instrumental, and improvisational rock music. An audial feast - the diverse lineup features a wide array of characters and bands from around the globe this year, with a bit of something for everyone. Special guests include Taipei cosmic psychedelic noise rock outfit Dope Purple, who blew minds last year during their tour; Baltimore-based avant-garde rock quartet Horse Lords, who play in just intonation, microtonal harmonies, and using algorithmic composition techniques; Tokyo drum-bass duo moja, who deliver potent high-density tracks that hit you like a ton of bricks. On the domestic end, EXI-STS from Wuhan dabble in art rock painted in bold colors and potent musicality - injecting their rustic yaogun veneer with an intrepid avant-garde spirit -and a tapestry of Chinese folk music, opera, and more. Finally, Shanghai's favorite sonic wayfarers Dizang, the genre-bending world music psych prog rockers, and the string quintet PENG - featuring a spread of multi-talented string musicians (known for their roles in bands such as An Corporation, Lu Chen, Xiao Hem, and Di Zang). Probably one of my favorite festivals over the past two years - and I expect round three will be just as satisfying.