China is the most populous country, and it also holds the second-largest economy in the world. At a quick glance, you may think that China easily has it all in the palm of its hands.

But have you ever heard what is indie music like in China? Do you know of any good Chinese bands? Or do you know how indie music started and how it’s currently going in China?

Knowing what the indie music scene is like in China is like knowing a secret, and we’re here to share that with you.

Technically, China operates differently than the rest of the world. They use WeChat instead of Facebook. They use Weibo instead of Twitter. Their YouTube is Youku. Their Spotify is Tencent.

And for them to access music? They need a VPN.

A Quick Look at the Past

Hundreds of years ago, only royal families and notable officials enjoyed the music. And in the 20th century, music in China was required to serve the political interest of the government. Basically, music for the sake of entertainment was disfavored and isn’t practiced at all.

But thanks to the continuously emerging underground music scene in China, it is now easier to listen to the tracks nowadays. Recently, the underground subculture of indie music has been the go-to of bands less known to mainstream listeners.

The cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou are popular spots for playing indie music in China. And believe it or not, China has some of the coolest and most unique music you can find anywhere!

Popular Chinese Indie Music Artists

Hedgehog is one of the most popular Chinese indie music artists. They were formed in 2005 by partners Zo and Atom. They were known for their energetic performances and unique way of songwriting. The Band was one of their most loved songs on the internet.

Carsick Cars is another big name in the Chinese indie music stage. They are a rock trio that was formed in 2005 as well. They debuted with a song called Zhong Nan Hai (which is also a brand of cigarettes in China), and it has been named the anthem for the Beijing underground music scene.

One of the best things in music is exploring the international music scene and finding up and coming artists.

Type of Music Played

Indie music in China has an alternative and metal music kind of vibe, and it’s also not very genre specific. It is generally live music shows, varying from punk to rock to electronic, with the exception of DJs.

There is another emerging genre which they call City Pop, which is the more chill version of the previous ones they usually play. This one is more like a summer vibe, beach trip, and long-ride kind of music.

Conclusion

Even though their venues are sometimes shut down due to the lack of support, Chinese indie music has been present since the 1980s.

CDs and tapes were sold to China as reusable plastic, and Chinese customs would break the tapes to make them unusable. But still, music fans would always figure out how to revive them.

Indeed, the Chinese indie music scene is very resilient with anything. The show called, The Big Band in iQIYI also made a big part in the quick spread of Chinese indie music these days.

Despite the uncertainties and challenges faced, underground music in China is absolutely here to stay. And finally, if you're looking at finding indie music from around the world check out the SharePro music marketplace.

China's Underground Music Is Weirder Than You Think

References:

ABC | Bandcamp | Vice | Medium | Reddit | ThatsMags