Whether you like it or not, Expo 2010 is happening and, rather than speculate on the negative impact it could possibly have on the local music scene, I’ve hunted down reps from the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Canada for the details on their pavilions’ musical line-ups. The results are, well, dire.

Rather than inviting the likes of Them Crooked Vultures, The Raveonettes, The Hives, HIM, Turbonegro and Rush to Shanghai, pavilion organizers have settled for a rather dull program of events, ignoring their obvious political guanxi and ability to book cutting-edge artists, instead blandly appeasing local censors.

Beginning with the country that invented rock ’n roll, punk and country, the U.S. has decided to abandon its musical roots, opting for a number of choirs and orchestras to represent the land of Chuck Berry, CBGB and the Grand Ole Opry. The U.S. State Department is hosting Herbie Hancock on May 13 and Ozomatli on May 20, but it’s still unclear whether Herbie will play “Rockit” or if Ozo will take it to the streets.

The Danish Pavilion is hosting the weekly Mermaid Music series, and while there is certainly promise in these weekly shows, the only group announced so far is Reptile and Retard on May 5, and I’m sure we’ve seen them four times already.

Finland is using a novel approach to spreading its musical message, taking over Xingfu Lu for a block party on May 27 with a host of electronic artists. While you’ve probably never heard of Jimi Tenor, Husky Rescue or Top Billin, the tactic of using established venues to push a musical agenda should prove a winner.

Under normal circumstances I’d bank on Sweden to lead the musical charge, but reps from the land of Abba and the Hellacopters have yet to release their Expo plans, instead sponsoring power-pop quartet Sahara Hotnights for a performance at Beijing’s MIDI festival and a tour that hits Yuyintang on May 8.

Norway intends to continue its annual, sparsely attended NO+CH Festival, but that doesn’t kick off until October so, in the meantime, the Valkyrien Allstars (May 11) and the Real Ones (May 20) will play over at the Expo site. No word on whether Turbonegro’s Hank from Hell will be in attendance.

The biggest musical disappointed of Expo 2010 is undoubtedly Canada. The country that flew over You Say Party! We Say Die! in 2008 and sponsored 2009’s transmitCHINA festivities has left its fate in the hands of Da Shan and Bedouin Soundclash. No Priestess. No Pride Tiger. Not even Bryan Adams. Bummer.