Gao Hu, from Miserable Faith, and other participants perform at the Midi Music Festival in 2015. [Photo by Lyv Ran/FOR CHINA DAILY]

Gao Hu, lead vocalist and songwriter with Miserable Faith, one of the country's most popular indie bands, said:"Many bands have been formed at the school, but 20 years ago we didn't have much opportunity to perform onstage, which was depressing. The school offered us a chance to realize our dreams."

Gao became interested in rock music during high school, teaching himself to play guitar. In 1997, he began studying at the Midi School of Music, where he met Zhang Jing, now the band's bassist. Miserable Faith was founded two years later.

"We lived in a place called Shucun, near the school, which was also home to many of the other students. Lots of bands were bursting on to the music scene. We loved different styles," Gao said, adding that the rent was 200 yuan a month.

Last summer, the popular reality show The Big Band brought Chinese indie rock into the mainstream for the first time. Acts such as Miserable Faith, The Face and New Pants appeared on the show, which has built up a large fan base.

Li Guobiao, vice-president of the Midi School of Music, said:"It takes solitude, sleepless nights and even starvation to achieve success as an indie rock band. The success of the show encourages young bands to pursue their dreams."

Roommates Huang Xiangyu and Zhu Yuanwu, both 22, have been studying electronic guitar at the Midi School of Music since 2018.