From the underground up

Rock band Carsick Cars

Li is confident in the seven acts because they've played on mainstream stages. Hao Yun, for instance, performed on the 2014 CCTV Spring Festival Gala—the country's most watched TV program—while Escape Plan appeared on a Beijing TV Station variety show last year, since which their song The Brightest Shining Star has become a hit. Others like Carsick Cars, who've built a fan base abroad, and singer-songwriter A Si attract many young fans.

"Those young singer-songwriters have blurred the line between indie and mainstream music because their musical diversity and creativity have won them fan bases," says Li.

He has also observed in recent years that young audiences are willing to pay for live music, and companies want to sponsor the indie bands.

Established rocker Zheng Jun, who held his first concert at Beijing Workers' Gymnasium in 2005, showed the young indie musicians encouragement and recognition.

"I've listened their music and believe they represent the power of today's original Chinese rock," Zheng says. "Large-scale shows in Beijing are now mainly dominated by expatriate support," Li says.

"I know it might not be a good business, but it deserves a try."

The seven acts will tour the country after the Beijing show.