In 2009 a flurry of articles were written about Beijing’s emerging rock scene. They came courtesy of photographer Mathew Niederhauser’s Sound Kapital, which captured a movement of rock musicians making their mark outside of government-controlled media channels and the hugely popular Cantopop craze.
However the roots of Chinese rock began earlier in Beijing in the mid 1980s. This music though didn’t extend beyond underground university circles. A form of rock music did edge its way into the mainstream though as a combination with the local Northwestern Wind style via a fad that involved songs about life in prison, which contained mostly negative connotations.
Chinese rock though didn’t truly make a name for itself until the early 90s where it became synchronised with urban youth culture and protest movements. From 1994 onwards it returned to the underground where it has since steadily built up a respectable reputation.
Sound Kapital along with the proliferation of digital online media opened up a gateway for the Western world to discover Chinese rock and vice versa.
Niederhauser made his way through venues like D-22 and found young musicians that unlike those before them were no longer concerning themselves with making political statements, but instead just playing music.
While government owned music publishers are expectedly conservative with the music they choose to release, they’re only allocated a limited amount of ISBN numbers for new releases.
With the current generation of musicians abandoning the political messages of the past and working outside of mainstream publishing and promotional channels they have successfully distanced themselves from any government restrictions.
While steering clear of shaking the establishment might go against traditional rock and punk values it has provided crucial growth for rock music in Beijing which is an important point of difference to the manufactured and considerably vapid Cantopop that many local musicians despise.
So much so that the now famous D-22 club closed its doors in early 2012 because it was becoming too popular. Punters queued around the block for its final shows as co-manager Charles Saliba explained to Latitude News that the venue had achieved its goal of helping the scene grow with the owners now wanting to focus on “trying to do something genuinely new”.
It may have taken a while for Beijing’s rock scene to find its footing, but it demonstrates that within China’s capital city there are musicians willing to buck the Cantopop trend for something more substantial.
In time other music niches will undoubtedly find exposure too as the depth of Beijing’s music scene is only starting to reveal itself.
Shop
Situated in the centre of the 978 Art Zone near the South Gate, this store is one of the city’s best vinyl establishments. Selling records exclusively Li Pi is made up almost entirely of British and American titles. However this a small yet excellent catalogue of Japanese, Chinese and Korean records on offer. Li Pi also has a stand comprised entirely of film soundtracks that you may want to delve into.
Indie Music, 17 Gulou Xi Dajie, Xicheng District
It makes for a cute photo from the outside, but inside stretches the definition of cosy. Lucky then that it’s packed with CDs and a few boxes of vinyl. Indie Music is particularly notable because it’s one of the few stores that sell legitimate copies of albums where as most of Beijing is a sea of bootlegs.
My Joint Records, 109 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District
Located inside 69 Café this space hosts live music and serves food along with selling quality releases. While much of their CD selection is made up of bootlegs, there is a small selection of quality records on offer. Where My Joint Records stands out though is that it is home to titles from great local bands with the owner more than willing to recommend a few worth listening too.
Listen
China’s premier rock festival was first held in 1997 and has continued on each year since with 2003, 2004 and 2008 being the exceptions. In 2006 the event recorded between 40-80 thousand attendees during its three-day run with performances by more than 50 acts. While a strong contingent of local acts make up the bill every year international bands such as The Wombats have performed in the past.
Yugong Yishan, 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu, Dongcheng district
For rock music go no further than this venue, which stands as Beijing’s best for quality music and support of local bands. The large space also lends itself to holding bigger acts, while a reasonably priced bar ensures that punters won’t go home disappointed. With its interior stylized by elegant and classical design the upstairs lounge is there for those who’d prefer a seat. With live bands on most nights of the week there is no excuse for visitors to miss out on some Beijing bands.
Tiny Salt Coffee Club, 2308, North tower, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
Much has been made of the opposing forces of rock and Cantopop in Beijing, but bubbling beneath the surface are various other scenes worth exploring. The Beijing folk music scene can be heard at Tiny Salt Coffee Club. Tucked away between office blocks and restaurants the establishment provides a good sound system with black décor and a loft to allow the live music to flourish.
See
Beijing Opera Museum, 3 Hufang Lu Xicheng District
Inside the Huguang Guild Hall you’ll find the museum and the even more spectacular theatre that holds some of the city’s greatest opera performances. While the museum is a small room that details the building’s history through photographs, newspaper clippings and costumes seeing the inside of the theatre is what will make your visit memorable. Between 9.30 and 5pm a visit will set you back 10 RMB while tickets for performances start from 150RMB.
Forbidden City Concert Hall, Xichang’an Jie Tiananmen, Dongcheng District
This multi-purpose venue is home to the city’s best acoustics and one of the most modern spaces for music in the entire city. But what makes this landmark an attraction to visit isn’t so much the building itself but what surrounds it. Situated in one of Beijing’s most beautiful green areas, Zhongshan Park is home to stunning traditional architecture and beautiful flora and fauna. It’s more than likely that you’ll be paying a visit to this park when you visit Beijing, so why not stay a little longer and sample some music at the Forbidden Concert Hall as well?
Beijing Acts You Should Check Out
Carsick Cars – Soundcloud
Formed in 2005 it only took this three-piece two years build the necessary reverence to open for Sonic Youth for their shows in Prague and Vienna. Their international activity has continued in the years since with three appearances at SXSW from 2010 to 2012. While numerous members have come and gone the band have maintained their status as one of China’s most respected indie acts.
P.K. 14 – Facebook
In the same year that The Strokes made rock cool again this three-piece released their post-punk and indie styled debut album. So significant was its release that the band are now seen as the elder statesmen of the local rock scene. They haven’t slowed since either, the lyrical depth of their Chinese Mandarin and sharp rock sound has continued to receive praise in 2013 with the release of their fifth studio album 1984.
Joyside – Official Website
Formed in 2001 headed by Xin Jiang refugee Bin Yuan this five piece were an integral part of the Chinese rock revival wave. Their success though has since extended beyond their home country with the punk outfit selling out shows across Europe in 2007. While 2009 saw their last release, Maybe Tonight, the band were also the subject of the documentary, Wasted Orient.
