Chinese rock and indie

Summary

Chinese rock and indie is a broad listening route through guitar bands, post-punk, noise-influenced groups and alternative songwriting connected with mainland China. It complements rather than replaces more specific regional musical identities.

Contemporary and trending

Independent labels and live venues made durable connections among performers and audiences. Older recordings remain useful alongside newer band releases; a scene’s age does not make its music obsolete.^[1]

History

Independent labels and live venues made durable connections among performers and audiences. Older recordings remain useful alongside newer band releases; a scene’s age does not make its music obsolete.^[2]

Musical characteristics

Electric guitars, bass and drums can support abrasive riffs, spacious repetition, melodic songs or sharply articulated vocals. Instrumentation alone is insufficient: selections follow the actual band performance.

Geography and communities

Beijing is a major network, with consequential scenes in Wuhan, Chengdu, Shanghai, Nanjing and other provincial cities. Touring connects these centers with audiences beyond their immediate neighborhoods.

Artists

Carsick Cars, Hiperson, Re-TROS, New Pants, Omnipotent Youth Society and SMZB show the range of this collection.

Recording entrances

万能青年旅店 — 萬能青年旅店全新搖滾史詩《烏雲典當記》-《NO》電影中文主題曲^[3]; 萬能青年旅店 — 山雀^[4]. These are particular versions, not a claim that every work by the same performer belongs here.

Related genres

Mandopop; Chinese indie folk.

References

↑ Maybe Mars: label history and artists.
↑ Maybe Mars: SMZB, Wuhan punk and recordings.
↑ 萬能青年旅店全新搖滾史詩《烏雲典當記》-《NO》電影中文主題曲 — primary release/performance credits.
↑ 山雀 — primary release/performance credits.

[1] Maybe Mars: label history and artists.

[2] Maybe Mars: SMZB, Wuhan punk and recordings.

[3] 萬能青年旅店全新搖滾史詩《烏雲典當記》-《NO》電影中文主題曲 — primary release/performance credits.

[4] 山雀 — primary release/performance credits.

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