Steel and Strawberries: How Chinese Rock Became State-Sponsored

The discourses of the cultural and creative industries have encouraged local governments in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to provide subsidies to local festival organizers, resulting in a music festival boom since 2007. These festivals have become the major source of income for Chinese bands. In short, a middle ground is emerging where government agencies, music companies, and bands negotiate collaborations. However, both conservative communists and neomarxists deplore this neo-liberal trend of depoliticization and co-optation. This paper describes how various stakeholders benefit from the festival boom, and considers the claims made on behalf of those that are excluded.