6 Comments
author

Update: Chinese Football just announced that they'll be playing Arctangent Festival in Bristol this summer alongside Swans, And So I Watch You From Afar, Deafheaven and lots more.

Hopefully more European dates to follow soon!

Expand full comment

"The geopolitical climate hasn’t exactly improved since 2020, but in many ways that makes it all the more imperative that audiences overseas get to interact with independent Chinese artists. Here’s hoping that can become a reality in the coming months."

Amen.

Expand full comment
Mar 4, 2023Liked by Jake

I read somewhere that Absolute Purity had to cancel a proposed US tour organised by Angus Andrew, too. Is there a Big Band season 3 planned? I know a lot of people didn’t enjoy it. Indie goes mainstream etc. But I really liked it. Especially the extra shows where they all sat down and tucked into a gigantic table of cold with a particular band. I just there and drooled. Haha. Some interesting politics filtered through the cracks too. Especially the Mongolian folk band.

Expand full comment
author

I believe there is a series three on its way yes - I think they're due to start filming pretty soon actually, they've been recruiting bands since last year.

I watched a lot of the first series out of curiosity, then just bits of the second series. I couldn't really bring myself to watch the recent folk show.

I'm happy these bands and artists are getting mainstream exposure (a lot of them deserve it if they want it), I just wish the show didn't have to be so cheesy. Say what you want about Rap of China - and there's lots to say, let's be honest - but at least it *tried* to look cool and edgy. The silliness of Yuexia did my head in a bit.

Expand full comment
Mar 4, 2023Liked by Jake

Interesting. Thanks. Yes, it was definitely cheesy. I think I just ended up blocking those bits out! I still miss something like Snub TV for no nonsense DIY subculture insanity.

Expand full comment
author

Yeah, don’t think we’ll be seeing China’s answer to The Snub or The Word any time soon I’m afraid…

Expand full comment