Crackdown on Illegal Performances Could Shake Up Beijing Nightlife
Be sure to check your calendars before going out this weekend, because a crackdown on illegal performances is shaking up the city’s live music and nightlife circuit.
A screenshot of a post shared by a popular foreign artist came to our attention this afternoon stating that the city was cracking down on venues that do not have proper licenses to hold live performances. The post goes on to say that venues that host foreign performers are amongst those targeted.
Legally speaking, venues need a fairly rigorous set of permits to be allowed to host live shows, says one venue owner who wished to remain anonymous. According to them, all performers, be they foreign or Chinese, are supposed to have a license to perform prior to every show they take part in. However, in practice, some bars and small-scale venues often don’t enforce this or carry proper permits. While this practice has gone on unobstructed in the past, there’s been occasional campaigns to crack down on this, and there appears to be one underway now.
This is a good thing, though, the original poster continues, saying that while it may lead to cancellations for shows now, it could be a positive thing for performers in the future because it would protect performers (and venues) from fines or other legal consequences.
Other sources told us visa status could also come into play when foreigners perform. Whenever a foreigner does a side gig not relating to their visa or day job, they run the risk of running afoul of authorities.
The announcement has been spreading like wildfire through Beijing, with a number of popular venues across the city canceling shows and events, either citing "unforseen circumstances" or the crackdown itself.
Meanwhile, the crackdown doesn’t appear to be limited to Beijing: the WeChat account Expat Focus today reprinted two posts from livehouses in Guangzhou and Shantou indicating this could be a national campaign.
Whatever the case may be, this could lead to a big shakeup for Beijing nightlife, so be sure to double-check that ticket and have a backup plan.
In the meantime, we’ll keep you updated on the latest.
READ: Beijing Authorities to Combat Scalping Following Mayday Ticketing Fiasco
Images: Unsplash
