Music fans head for breath of fresh air

Veteran music producer and songwriter Zhang Yadong said: "Indie music was somehow reborn last summer largely thanks to the show, which introduced lesser-known bands to new, younger audiences and gave many indie rock lineups the opportunity to perform. It's been very difficult for them to survive during the outbreak, but hopefully things will get better soon."

For Hedgehog, which was on the verge of breaking up before appearing on The Big Band, the show has given the group fresh life and a new fan base.

Zhao said, "Due to the pandemic, we stayed home and spent lots of time preparing the new album, which meant a fresh start for us. Now, with many outdoor music festivals starting to reappear, we want to see the fans' reaction to our new music."

On Sept 5, the band will perform at Starnest Carnival, an outdoor music event at Nanxijiang Music Park, Wenzhou, Zhejiang.

On July 28, the Strawberry Music Festival announced an event to be staged in Lingshui Li autonomous county, Hainan province. Although no date has been disclosed, the lineup will feature more than 40 groups.

Struggling live house venues are also showing the first signs of recovery.

For example, with the pandemic in China under control, two branches of New York's famed Blue Note Jazz Club－Blue Note Beijing and Blue Note Shanghai－have reopened. Although overseas artists cannot perform at the two venues, local acts are appearing.

To attract fans, both clubs have launched open mic programs after 9 pm Wednesdays to Sundays, offering audience members the chance to sing onstage, accompanied by professional musicians.