Dann Gaymer, 28, from Britain, and his girlfriend, have formed a duo called Guiguisuisui (which means sneaky) that plays zombie music. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Record labels

In fact, the music industry in general has changed, more record labels having been set up, and with far more bands. However, China still greatly lags the United States, he says.

"In China it is much easier to put on a band because there are fewer of them," he says, sitting on a step near XP, where bands are checking sound for the venue's one of the final shows.

"In the US there are a lot of bands, and many are really good. If you want to play, you have to work really hard, and you have to be good.

"In China, especially in Beijing now, there are many venues that support bands. Even people who just start playing music or just start a band can find places to play.

XP was a little more picky, and musicians, whether Chinese or expats, had to be different and experimental. You can also find a lot of small venues in Gulou, like ... Temple Bar, where foreign musicians who play any sort of rock music can play easily."

For him, another exciting development is that local bands have improved markedly.

"Some are better than many bands around the world. The local scene of Chinese bands here now is as good as local band playing in New York, Berlin or Tokyo."

Other expatriate musicians in Beijing are just as upbeat as Domer about the industry.