Chinese Electronic Dance Music Cultures : An Analysis of Their Local Cultural and Social Characteristics

This chapter identifies and analyses five major electronic dance music (EDM) cultures of mainland China: mainstream clubs-based EDM culture, local clubs-based EDM culture, klubbing-based EDM culture, provincial dancing-based EDM culture, and mic-shouting-based EDM culture. The first two cultures are based on the dance club, the third on karaoke venues, and the final two on social media. Chinese EDM cultures and styles are circulated regionally but not globally. Yet, they have been given ample opportunity to grow due to the very large domestic night-time economy. They are locally distinctive and participated in by millions of Chinese clubbers and audiences. Several studies have already identified these local EDM styles, but the local EDM cultures remain unexplored. The discussion helps fill the research gap by analysing major Chinese EDM cultures’ local cultural characteristics and potential social implications.