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bearing armfuls of merch and handmade gifts are no less cherished. But not every aspect of touring in China is liberating.
“In Nanjing, our tour manager came backstage with two police officers who wanted to run through the setlist and our understanding of the law,” says dyer. “I had to sign documents saying that I wouldn’t swear,get naked,endanger anyone in the crowd or say anything negative about the regime.” All lyrics must be submitted for approval before an artist’s arrival in China, to ensure compliance with local censorship laws. The process can result in well-known songs being denied without description. “All well and good,” says dyer. “But it’s a bit of a mood killer 15 minutes before you go on stage.”
Bureaucracy aside, UK artists are broadly eager about their Chinese touring experiences, with the avid work of independent promoters including So Ready Presents, Mentha Project, Haze Sounds and Blank Joy central to those experiences. With British acts including Shame, Matt Maltese and Caroline playing China in 2023 and 2024, the bookings show no sign of abating; and with discussions surrounding potential visa-free travel for UK citizens, artists may soon find themselves with more ease of access on their outbound flights.
“I feel absolutely blessed that we can go to these places and meet these people who are so passionate and so kind,” says Day. “It’s special. There’s a lot of animosity towards china, but I think people need to go and see it for themselves.”