Xu Song (singer)

Chinese singer and musician (born 1986)

In this Chinese name, the family name is  Xu (许).

Xu Song

Born|  (1986-05-14) 14 May 1986 (age 39)

Hefei, Anhui, China

Nationality| Chinese
Other names| Vae
Years active| 2006–present
Xu Song

Traditional Chinese| 許嵩
Simplified Chinese| 许嵩
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Xǔ Sōng

Xu Song (Chinese: 许嵩; born 14 May 1986), also known as "Vae" in English, is a Chinese singer, songwriter, producer, writer, and music director. He has released 8 albums.

## Early life

[edit]

Xu was born in Hefei, Anhui, China, on 14 May 1986. His father was once a dulcimer, so Xu Song early exposure to music, after the influence of his father, Xu Song more interested in folk music.[1] He started pursuing music while attending Anhui Medical University, where he studied management and graduated from in 2008.[2]

## Music career

[edit]

### 2006-2010: Personalized and Sought and Got

[edit]

In the early days before his style was established, Xu uploaded covers of Jay Chou's songs. Because of the similarity in tone and singing style, he was once called "Little Jay Chou".[3] He began uploading original songs online in 2006 under the pseudonym Vae.[4] "Moth" (飞蛾) was downloaded more than 70,000 times after its release.[5] "Funeral for Roses" (玫瑰花的葬礼) was particularly well received by critics and listeners.[6] In December 2006, he was invited by Lenovo to create a song ahead of the release of their new cell phone and wrote "Pink Letterhead" (粉色信笺) as a result.[7] In 2007, he released "Andersen Has No Regrets" (安徒生不后悔) following a swath of malicious comments online.[8]

After graduating from college in 2008,[2] Xu spent about half a year creating his first album Personalize (自定义) which was released on January 10, 2009, with Xu credited as the composer, lyricist, and producer on all nine songs.[9] The album, with songs such as "Why Not" (有何不可), "Bad Kid" (坏孩子), "Shrewdness" (城府), "Excessive Explanations" (多余的解释), ranked 6th among QQ Music's 2009 top ten albums by mainland China artists.[10][11][12]

Xu released his second album Sought and Got (寻雾启示) on January 6, 2010, and was credited as the composer, lyricist, and producer on all songs.[13] The song "Luzhou Moon" (庐州月) was ranked 2nd on the Internet Original Music Popularity Chart.[14]

### 2011-2013: Socra Without Tes and Wonderland

[edit]

In March 2011, Xu signed with Ocean Butterflies.[15] Xu released Socra Without Tes (苏格拉没有底) on April 1, 2011; the single "In Imagination" (想象之中) earned more than 1 million listens on the first day of release.[16] The album was ranked first on the 9th Asia Pacific Music Chart awards.[17] That same year, he held his first concert on October 25 at Beijing Exhibition Center.[18]

In July 2012, Xu released Wonderland (梦游计), the concept for the album came from a dream.[19] In January 2013, Xu served as the image ambassador of the first Shanghai University Student Original Music Competition, sponsored by Shanghai Municipal Government and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. March 30, Xu won the award for Best Singer-Songwriter at the 20th Chinese Top Ten Music Awards[20] In August, Xu published his first book, a photography essay collection Sea Spiritual Light (海上灵光) with nearly 200 photos documenting Xu's travels in Greece, interspersed with his personal reflections.[21]

From April 2012 to October 2013, Xu embarked on his first concert tour "Xu Song and His Friends" with 3 shows in Nanjing,[22] Beijing,[23] and Wuhan.[24] The Hefei show, scheduled for September 29, was cancelled due to various environmental factors.[25]

### 2014-2017: Go Drink Tea and Youth Evening Paper

[edit]

On August 23, 2014, Xu released his fifth album Go Drink Tea (不如吃茶去). The title is a reference to the Zen koan "空持百千偈，不如吃茶去" meaning it's better to return to simplicity; instead of studying the art of Zen, why not go drink some tea. It's the way Xu lives his life.[26] Musically, it features many traditional Chinese instruments such as guzheng, guqin, and erhu.

In January 2015, Xu wrote and composed the song "Swallows Return to Their Nests" (燕归巢), performed by Jane Zhang and Jason Zhang.[27] It won Best Duet at the 15th Global Chinese Songs Ranking and Xu won Best Composer at the 23rd Chinese Top Ten Music Awards.[28][29]

On June 28, 2016, Xu released his sixth album Youth Evening Paper (青年晚报). The song, "Appreciation of Both Refined and Popular Tastes" (雅俗共赏) was praised by critics and earned Xu the awards for Best Songwriter and Top 10 Songs of the Year at the 24th Chinese Top Ten Music Awards.[30] In July, Xu supported the charity event "Moji 35 °C Project" (墨迹35 °C计划), to raise awareness about global warming.[31]

In 2017, Xu embarked on his second tour, Youth Evening Paper, from March to October. The tour had four shows, starting in Shanghai (special guest: BY2), then Beijing (special guests: Stephy Qi and Luo Tianyi), then Nanjing (special guest: Dai Quan), and concluding in Guangzhou.[32][33][34][35]

### 2018-2021: Treasure Hunting and Breathing Wilderness

[edit]

In 2018, Xu released his 7th album Treasure Hunting (寻宝游戏) on July 12. At the album release press conference, Xu announced that he has renewed his contract with Taihe Music Group.[36]

In 2019, Xu embarked on his third tour, titled after the album, for a total of five shows from June to July.[37] In 2020, Xu composed "A Warm Heart Equals the World" (心暖心等于世界), which was jointly produced and released by Taihe Music Group, Xinhua News Agency's "Voice in China", Beijing Municipal Press and Publication Bureau, Cultural Investment Holdings, and Douyin. It pays tribute to medical staff fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on the front line.[38]

In 2021, Xu released his eighth album Breathing Wilderness (呼吸之野) on May 14, with "Raven" (乌鸦) as the lead single.[39] In August, Xu made his first variety show appearance on the music-oriented The Next Banger (我的音樂你聽嗎) along with Penny Tai and Joker Xue.[40] In December, Xu won Best Singer-Songwriter award and "Raven" was named one of the Top 10 Hits of the Year at Migu Music Awards.

### 2022-Present: Recent activities

[edit]

In 2022, Xu collaborated with Vincent Fang on the song "Snow on Paper" (纸上雪) which was part of the cultural program "Poetry and Painting of China" jointly launched by China Media Group, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Palace Museum, Beijing Normal University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the National Art Museum of China.[41] On January 21, 2023, Xu made his first appearance at CMG New Year's Gala and performed "In Tune" (合拍) with Jilin Singing & Dancing Troupe.[42]

In 2024, Xu embarked on his four tour titled after his eighth album. The Breathing Wilderness Tour began in Wuhan on April 13.[43] On October 26, Xu performed for the first time at the Beijing National Stadium to a crowd of 60,000 people.[44] On December 31, Xu performed "Heart to Heart" (心有所向) at the CCTV New Year's Eve Gala, titled "Set Sail for 2025."[45]

In 2025, Xu plans to continued the Breathing Wilderness Tour in Changsha on April 12 and more shows to come in Nanjing, Shenzhen, Huzhou, Xiamen, and Luoyang.[46]

## Albums

[edit]

* Personalize (January 10, 2009)
* Sought and Got (January 6, 2010)
* Socra Without Tes (April 1, 2011)
* Wonderland (July 11, 2012)
* Go Drink Tea (August 26, 2014)
* Youth Evening Paper (June 28, 2016)
* Treasure Hunting (July 12, 2018)
* Breathing Wilderness (May 14, 2021)

## Concert tours

[edit]

* Socra Without Tes Concert (2011)[18]

1. 2011-10-25, Beijing

* Xu Song and His Friends Concert Tour (2012-2013)[22][25][24][23]

1. 2012-04-30, Nanjing
2. 2012-09-29, Hefei (cancelled)
3. 2012-11-25, Beijing
4. 2013-10-19, Wuhan

* Youth Evening Paper Concert Tour (2017)[32][33][34][35]

1. 2017-03-18, Shanghai
2. 2017-07-15, Beijing
3. 2017-08-05, Ninjing
4. 2017-10-07, Guangzhou

* Treasure Hunting Concert Tour (2019)[37]

1. 2019-6-1, Chengdu
2. 2019-6-8, Wuhan
3. 2019-6-22, Shanghai
4. 2019-7-6, Beijing
5. 2019-7-20, Hefei

* Breathing Wilderness Tour (2024)[43][46]

1. 2024-4-13, Wuhan
2. 2024-4-27, Shenzhen
3. 2024-5-18, Hefei
4. 2024-6-1, Nanjing
5. 2024-6-15, Chengdu
6. 2024-6-29, Qingdao
7. 2024-8-3, Dalian
8. 2024-8-10, Hangzhou
9. 2024-8-17, Taiyuan
10. 2024-8-31, Shanghai
11. 2024-9-7, Zhengzhou
12. 2024-9-15, Chongqing
13. 2024-9-21, Nanchang
14. 2024-9-28, Wenzhou
15. 2024-10-4, Suzhou
16. 2024-10-6, Suzhou
17. 2024-10-13, Xi'An
18. 2024-10-26, Beijing
19. 2024-11-9, Haikou
20. 2024-11-16, Guiyang
21. 2024-11-23, Fuzhou
22. 2024-12-7, Fushan
23. 2024-12-21, Nanning
24. 2025-4-12, Changsha

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "【校友风采】许嵩：从安医大走出的知名音乐人". 2020-08-08.
2. ^ a b "【校友风采】许嵩：从安医大走出的知名音乐人". www.ahmu.edu.cn. 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
3. ^ Zui, Renwu (2021-06-29). "许嵩不红，天理难容_腾讯新闻" [Xu Song is not red, it's hard to accept fate]. new.qq.com. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
4. ^ BianChengshi (2022-05-16). "不会编程的厨子不是好歌手，音乐才子许嵩竟然是程序员_Vae_个人_论坛" [A cook who doesn't know how to program is not a good singer, but a musical genius named Xu Song is actually a programmer named Vae]. www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
5. ^ "曾经红遍网络的大歌手，如今变得默默无闻，你知道他是谁吗". ent.sina.cn. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
6. ^ "《玫瑰花的葬礼》受广泛好评 缉歌大赏如火如荼". ent.sina.cn. 2006-05-31. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
7. ^ "联想移动携手网络明星打造年度网娱大赛". ent.sina.cn. 2006-12-18. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
8. ^ "《既然《安徒生不后悔》，许嵩为了音乐不曾后悔". sohu.com. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
9. ^ "自定义- 许嵩百科 官方发布—信息权威—迅速及时—丰富海量". Xusong.vaecn.com. 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
10. ^ "YesPlayMusic". play.coolsong.com. 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
11. ^ Zhong, Xiayumeng (2021-05-20). "你给我们的不止有《惊鸿一面》的初见，还有不想忘却的青春记忆" [What you have given us is not only the first glimpse of "The Amazing Hong Side", but also the memories of youth that we don't want to forget]. www.163.com. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
12. ^ "2009年度十大". music.qq.com. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
13. ^ "寻雾启示- 许嵩百科 官方发布—信息权威—迅速及时—丰富海量". Xusong.vaecn.com. 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
14. ^ 寻雾启示 (in Chinese (China)), retrieved 2024-06-05
15. ^ "许嵩重磅加盟新东家海蝶音乐 首度亮相破冰而出气势惊人 海蝶集团官方网站". Ob-i.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
16. ^ "苏格拉没有底- 许嵩百科 官方发布—信息权威—迅速及时—丰富海量". Xusong.vaecn.com. 2011-03-28. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011.
17. ^ "谁能取代"QQ音乐三巨头"？". Tencent QQ. 2021-10-30.
18. ^ a b "许嵩演唱会即将开唱 创意情景音乐秀Hold住全场". Ifeng. 2011-09-19.
19. ^ "QQ Music 梦游计". QQ Music. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
20. ^ "【才子】又是清明雨上 折菊寄到你身旁". Sohu. 2017-10-25.
21. ^ "许嵩首部写真随笔集《海上灵光》出版". chinanews.com. 2013-08-29.
22. ^ a b "许嵩携曹轩宾戚薇唱响南京 演唱会八首金曲回馈歌迷". IFeng (in Chinese). 2012-04-27.
23. ^ a b "许嵩演唱会首唱神秘歌曲 或将巨大年轮搬上舞台". Sohu. 2012-11-14.
24. ^ a b "许嵩武汉演唱会完美落幕 "小伙伴们"嗨翻全场". Ifeng. 2013-10-20.
25. ^ a b "许嵩合肥演唱会因故取消 主办方发紧急公告致歉". IFeng (in Chinese). 2012-09-20.
26. ^ "QQ Music 不如吃茶去". QQ Music. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
27. ^ "张靓颖张杰《燕归巢》诉归乡情 许嵩量身定制中国风". Ifeng. 2015-02-17.
28. ^ "除了自己创作外，许嵩还为别人写过多少歌？". NetEase. 2019-07-13.
29. ^ "许嵩10年间最经典最火的10首歌". Sohu. 2019-05-08.
30. ^ "许嵩再度现身上海出席颁奖礼 东方风云榜获双奖". Sina. 2017-03-28.
31. ^ "音乐人许嵩助力"墨迹35度 计划" 为世界降温". CCTV (in Chinese). 2016-07-28.
32. ^ a b "许嵩巡演多站上演不同主题 即将迎来广州收官之站". Sina. 2017-09-12.
33. ^ a b "许嵩"青年晚报"北京个唱落幕 好友戚薇带伤现身". cctv.com. 2017-07-17.
34. ^ a b "许嵩"青年晚报"演唱会南京落幕 钢琴弹唱催泪". NetEase. 2017-08-08.
35. ^ a b "许嵩巡演广州圆满收官 四大主题诠释纯粹音乐现场". Sina. 2017-10-09.
36. ^ "许嵩出席《寻宝游戏》发布会 续约太合音乐集团" [Xu Song attended the press conference of "Treasure Hunt Game" and renewed his contract with Taihe Music Group]. Sina. 2018-07-25. Archived from the original on 2018-08-09.
37. ^ a b "从太合音乐集团"2019许嵩寻宝游戏演唱会"门票秒罄看过去" [From the Taihe Music Group "2019 Xu Song Treasure Hunt Concert" tickets sold out in seconds]. Sohu. 2019-07-03.
38. ^ music.china.com.cn (2020-02-13). "群星献声抗疫公益歌曲《心暖心等于世界》" [Stars sang the anti-epidemic charity song "A Warm Heart Equals the World"].
39. ^ NetEase (2021-05-07). "许嵩全创作专辑《呼吸之野》首支曲目《乌鸦》发布". Archived from the original on 2021-05-10.
40. ^ "许嵩综艺首秀全程言简意赅, 霸道宣言"方方面面", 网友: 他值得" [Xu Song's first variety show was concise and to the point, with a domineering declaration of "all aspects", netizens: He deserves it] (in Chinese). Sohu. 2021-08-30.
41. ^ "《诗画中国》诗情画意"纸上雪"" [Poetry and Painting of China "Snow on Paper"] (in Chinese). Central Academy of Fine Arts. 2022-09-05.
42. ^ "一圖盡覽! 央視2023春晚節目單來了". HKCD (in Chinese). 2023-01-20.
43. ^ a b "许嵩"呼吸之野"演唱会官方微博: 2024 许嵩 "呼吸之野" 巡回演唱会正式开启!" [Official Weibo of Xu Song's "Breathing Wilderness" Tour: 2024 Xu Song "Breathing in the Wild" concert tour officially begins!] (in Chinese). Weibo. 2024-03-12.
44. ^ "许嵩呼吸之野巡演北京站圆满举办 闪耀鸟巢开启音乐旅程新起点". Sohu (in Chinese). 2024-10-29.
45. ^ "今晚播出! 启航2025——中央广播电视总台跨年晚会 节目单公布". CCTV News (in Chinese). 2024-12-30.
46. ^ a b "许嵩2025呼吸之野巡回演唱会官宣六城 春暖花开长沙如约相见". Sohu (in Chinese). 2025-03-20.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* vaexusong on Red Note
* Vae on Weibo

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

Artists|

* MusicBrainz