UMG Greater China has reached a global agreement with Chinese indie Modern Sky, affording the label's roster access to UMG’s distribution network and bringing its catalog under the UMGC umbrella.

Founded in 1997, Modern Sky is home to 150 artists and a catalog of more than 500 albums, including titles by New Pants, Re-TROS, Second Hand Rose, Miserable Faith, Ma Di and Tizzy T.

In making the announcement, Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of UMGC, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Modern Sky, a label that has been instrumental in defining China’s independent music culture and propelling it forward. This collaboration not only broadens the global reach of Chinese music but highlights the distinct energy and creativity that define China’s young generation today.”

Shen Lihui, founder and CEO of Modern Sky, added, “Joining UMG’s global network and its community of exceptional artists marks an exciting new chapter for us. Through this collaboration, we’re thrilled to bring a fresh side of Chinese originality to the world, inviting audiences everywhere to experience the unique energy and cultural depth of China’s youth.”

Modern Sky has accelerated its international expansion in recent years by establishing divisions in New York, Liverpool and Tokyo. In 2009 the company branched out into the live arena with the Strawberry Music Festival, which has gone on annually since. In 2014, it staged its first international event, the Modern Sky Music Festival, which took place in New York’s Central Park and has since spawned events in Helsinki, Seattle, Los Angeles and Toronto.

Pictured (l-r): Timothy Xu, Lihui Shen, Adam Granite (UMG EVP, Market Development)