Young people in China increasingly turn to techno parties to decompress from their daily workloads, namely the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week schedule known as “996.”
This underground techno scene has been growing in recent years, contrasting with the broader cultural sector, which is facing challenges. According to the Associated Press, Chinese authorities are censoring concerts and performances, and independent bookstores and art spaces are shutting down.
However, underground techno parties manage to evade some of these restrictions by being held in secluded areas of cities, away from public scrutiny.
Underground parties, known as “ye di” (wild dances), are now held in nearly all major Chinese cities.
For many young people in China’s industrial cities, techno is the natural soundtrack of urban life. This is particularly true in places like Changchun, an auto industry hub, which is considered the birthplace of Chinese techno.
To further avoid government crackdowns, organizers usually only disclose the date, lineup, and entry fee on event posters. Often, the location is revealed only an hour before the party begins.
“There are restrictions, but that’s why we created our own scene,” a young Chinese woman told the AP. “We need techno parties because we need to dance outside the predefined rules.”
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