The Chinese city that triggered the Covid-19 epidemic has seen its alternative music scene battered by the crisis
By LAN LIANCHAO JUNE 2, 2020
By LAN LIANCHAO JUNE 2, 2020
Queen Sea Big Shark were planning a live-stream performance for Wuhan fans but the event was called off. Photo: Unknown
Wuhan is arguably China’s punk capital, its historically feisty reputation reflected in the writhing mosh pits and live venues of a vibrant music scene.
Or at least it was before coronavirus, which has tattooed a new outcast image on the city of 11 million and at the same time pulled the plug on the high-decibel subculture.
The city that gave the world Covid-19 remains fearful of new outbreaks, forbidding live shows, forcing performances online, and clouding the future.
“The eventual impact on us remains unknown,” said Zhu Ning, founding member of a landmark Wuhan punk band and proprietor of indie live house VOX. “The most important thing is to keep (the music scene) alive.”
Wuhan’s 11-week coronavirus lockdown was finally lifted in April as new infections abated, reawakening the city, but live shows remain banned. “No performance means no customers and that means no revenue,” Zhu, 48, said inside his empty club, hours after police ordered him to call off an event.
Vox had planned to live-stream a show by Beijing-based rockers Queen Sea Big Shark. “We were all ready and had to suddenly put a stop to it. What’s wrong with the world?” Zhu sighed.
Wuhan is arguably China’s punk capital, its historically feisty reputation reflected in the writhing mosh pits and live venues of a vibrant music scene.
Or at least it was before coronavirus, which has tattooed a new outcast image on the city of 11 million and at the same time pulled the plug on the high-decibel subculture.
The city that gave the world Covid-19 remains fearful of new outbreaks, forbidding live shows, forcing performances online, and clouding the future.
“The eventual impact on us remains unknown,” said Zhu Ning, founding member of a landmark Wuhan punk band and proprietor of indie live house VOX. “The most important thing is to keep (the music scene) alive.”
Wuhan’s 11-week coronavirus lockdown was finally lifted in April as new infections abated, reawakening the city, but live shows remain banned. “No performance means no customers and that means no revenue,” Zhu, 48, said inside his empty club, hours after police ordered him to call off an event.
Vox had planned to live-stream a show by Beijing-based rockers Queen Sea Big Shark. “We were all ready and had to suddenly put a stop to it. What’s wrong with the world?” Zhu sighed.
Punk rock band Demerit made a splash in China in 2016. Photo: Facebook
Located at China’s center, Wuhan is an ancient crossroads and site of a 1911 uprising that led to the collapse of thousands of years of imperial rule.
Home to several universities and their students, and the expat staff of multinational manufacturers, it is known for its openness to new ideas, while a massive industrial sector adds a blue-collar air.
Its reputation for straight talk and quick tempers was captured on video when a top national official arrived in March to inspect epidemic-control efforts.
Communist authorities have endured unprecedented criticism after Wuhan officials initially suppressed news of the outbreak and fumbled the initial response, and the official was jeered by locals sequestered in their apartment blocks.
Zhu is the former drummer for pioneering Wuhan punk band SMZB, which emerged in the late 1990s with several other local groups, earning Wuhan a reputation as one of China’s punk crucibles, along with Beijing.
SMZB’s frontman, Wuhan-born guitarist Wu Wei, is recognised as the godfather of Chinese punk, penning provocative lyrics that sometimes criticise authorities. He also founded Wuhan Prison, another punk landmark, a decade ago.
“This is a place where many people gather together and pass on their energy,” Ingmar Liu, 21, a vocalist for a local band and a Wuhan Prison employee, said.
But Liu, with green hair and a series of surreal arm tattoos, said the club has struggled to pay its rent without customers
Located at China’s center, Wuhan is an ancient crossroads and site of a 1911 uprising that led to the collapse of thousands of years of imperial rule.
Home to several universities and their students, and the expat staff of multinational manufacturers, it is known for its openness to new ideas, while a massive industrial sector adds a blue-collar air.
Its reputation for straight talk and quick tempers was captured on video when a top national official arrived in March to inspect epidemic-control efforts.
Communist authorities have endured unprecedented criticism after Wuhan officials initially suppressed news of the outbreak and fumbled the initial response, and the official was jeered by locals sequestered in their apartment blocks.
Zhu is the former drummer for pioneering Wuhan punk band SMZB, which emerged in the late 1990s with several other local groups, earning Wuhan a reputation as one of China’s punk crucibles, along with Beijing.
SMZB’s frontman, Wuhan-born guitarist Wu Wei, is recognised as the godfather of Chinese punk, penning provocative lyrics that sometimes criticise authorities. He also founded Wuhan Prison, another punk landmark, a decade ago.
“This is a place where many people gather together and pass on their energy,” Ingmar Liu, 21, a vocalist for a local band and a Wuhan Prison employee, said.
But Liu, with green hair and a series of surreal arm tattoos, said the club has struggled to pay its rent without customers
.
Punk culture is still alive and well in China despite the coronavirus crisis. Photo: AFP
GOD SAVE XI! IS NOT AN ALBUM TITLE
A mid-May attempt to reopen was quickly aborted by police due to Covid-19 transmission fears. “The epidemic has impacted the entire bar and concert industry, not just us,” she said.
It has also scattered musicians for local bands, including foreigners, according to members of reggae/ska band Sky King Jack.
Unable to perform, they gather in private for loose rehearsals, waiting to take the stage again.
“The band can’t make money and now we play music just for fun,” bassist Liu Jia said after assembling for practice at a rented cottage.
It remains to be seen whether Wuhan’s famed frankness will be reflected in future songs referencing the pandemic.
“I was very angry with the government’s handling of the coronavirus at first, but now I have digested it,” Ingmar Liu said.
“Anger alone is not punk.”
GOD SAVE XI! IS NOT AN ALBUM TITLE
A mid-May attempt to reopen was quickly aborted by police due to Covid-19 transmission fears. “The epidemic has impacted the entire bar and concert industry, not just us,” she said.
It has also scattered musicians for local bands, including foreigners, according to members of reggae/ska band Sky King Jack.
Unable to perform, they gather in private for loose rehearsals, waiting to take the stage again.
“The band can’t make money and now we play music just for fun,” bassist Liu Jia said after assembling for practice at a rented cottage.
It remains to be seen whether Wuhan’s famed frankness will be reflected in future songs referencing the pandemic.
“I was very angry with the government’s handling of the coronavirus at first, but now I have digested it,” Ingmar Liu said.
“Anger alone is not punk.”
YES IT IS
SID VICIOUS
– AFP
– AFP
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