China’s Indie Scene Is Growing — Are You Watching?

China’s Indie Scene Is Growing — Are You Watching?

If you're not paying attention to China's independent music scene, you're already late.

Over the past five years, we've seen underground collectives, bedroom producers, and DIY artists across China redefine what it means to "make it" in music—not through traditional gatekeepers or major label deals, but through local scenes, grassroots events, and community-driven platforms. And while the pandemic slowed live gigs, it accelerated digital discovery and peer-to-peer connection, especially in second-tier cities like Chengdu, Nanjing, and Wuhan.

In 2025, this movement is hitting a new gear.

Chinese indie is no longer just about lo-fi pop or post-rock (though both still thrive); it's a diverse spectrum of rap collectives, ambient experiments, hyperpop producers, and more. Artists are finding audiences not through the big platforms alone, but via word-of-mouth playlists, college festivals, and content-first platforms like RED (Xiaohongshu), Bilibili, and Douyin.

So why should you care?

Because the next wave of culture isn't coming from glossy deals—it's coming from garages, WeChat groups, and tiny label-run livehouses that double as rehearsal spaces and community hubs. And increasingly, these artists want to collaborate across borders. They grew up listening to both Jay Chou and Arctic Monkeys, and their vision reflects that.

At BigTMRW, we believe these scenes deserve global visibility. Whether it’s producing bilingual artist profiles or helping bring Chinese indie acts to overseas festivals, we’re watching closely.

Stay tuned!