Home is where the hum is

A 29-year-old woman, who lives and works in Beijing and uses the stage name Xiao Yang, noted that music is a means to bond with people, regardless of age, gender and profession. "We meet, we play, we sing along and, suddenly, strangers become friends."

Unlike Road Show Plan, Xiao Yang embodies a quieter, more intimate side of Beijing's music scene. She composes her own songs, inspired by everyday life, and has over 10 originals in her repertoire.

Inspired by versatile music icons, including Taylor Swift, she started playing the piano when she was 6 years old, and later learned to play the flute and the guitar.

During the pandemic, Xiao Yang performed small covers, recorded at home and gradually built a 300-person online community. Her in-person gatherings remain small — never more than 100 participants. "I don't think in terms of audiences or performers. It is a shared space. Everyone takes turns to sing and play, or they just listen," she said.

Xiao Yang's events take place in hidden courtyards, secluded park corners and quiet cafes. The music tends to be less mainstream, and songs of Taiwan singer-songwriter Cheer Chan dominate the playlist.

She also features original songs."Music is a way to be yourself. It is social, but also introspective. Even if people aren't singing, they're connecting through the music," she said.

Xiao Yang's own music is deeply personal. Her originals include a song about her lost cat. "Performing my own songs feels different than singing with others," she said. "But both are special — one is self-expression, the other is shared joy."

Her event venues range from quiet corners in the Olympic Forest Park, where small groups gather with guitars and soft voices, to organized stages for open-mic sessions. "Back in 2022 and 2023, there weren't as many groups as there are now. This year, it feels like everywhere you look, someone is singing, playing, or performing. It's incredible!"

Even with a demanding job, Xiao Yang makes time for these performances. "I come for music, friendship and freedom. Every time I sing, alone or with others, it reminds me why all this is worth it," she said.

Chen Yingzi, 22, a university student, prefers quiet spaces. One spring afternoon this year, she attended a small gathering in a hutong, where fewer than a dozen people sat on mismatched chairs and cushions. The organizers introduced an acoustic guitar and encouraged participation.

Chen hesitated for a bit, but then picked up her ukulele, strummed a simple melody and sang an original about her hometown. The applause that followed drowned her fears.

"I didn't expect to feel so connected to people I'd just met," she said. "It wasn't about performing well; it was about sharing a part of myself. I left with new friends, renewed confidence, and a reminder that music can make even the smallest spaces feel like home."

Chen now regularly participates in such gatherings. "Most young people live in an online world. But one can make real friends at these events." She has already met high school students and older peers from across the city, and the vibe, she stressed, has been invigorating.