The series took place throughout 2002. Rock and jazz fans could experience the thrill of live concerts that presented newcomers to China's music world. The concert series is returning this year, starting next Thursday.

The series has established a platform for Chinese musical voices by creating an exciting monthly event that presents Chinese live music in Beijing, said local rock critic Mu Qian of the China Conservatory of Music, who attended several concerts last year.

"Some bands impressed me with their unique styles, though they were not popular with the mass media," said Mu.

Since the entertainment industry is extremely competitive, it is very important to help young people succeed by offering them funds and opportunities to develop.

"There are several great new bands in China now but they hardly have a chance unless they are promoted," said Jana Berger with LogistiX.

"We hope these concerts will encourage and nurture the music scene in Beijing, inspire the musicians and stimulate the communication among the bands, the audiences and the record companies," said Berger.

Many insiders share her view.

Wang Xiaofeng, a well-known Beijing-based rock critic and senior writer with Life Weekly, said: "Some record companies are quick to grab young bands for a record deal that squeezes the creative spirit out of them but, at the same time, they are unwilling to invest in promoting these bands.

"New bands need to be given the chance to be heard while keeping their creative freedom."

Liu Fei -- a promotions manager with the Beijing-based New Bees Record Company, which has signed several up-and-coming rock bands -- said: "All the bands have courage in giving live public concerts and they deserve encouragement. Without these opportunities, people won't know about these stylish voices and music."

The concert series "An Ear to the Ground" offers musicians the chance they need. It helps promote young Chinese artists, gives them support during their first steps in the competitive entertainment world and offers Beijing youth the chance to check out new music trends.

"But it is far from enough," said Wang. "Only a few record companies will come to see their performances. The concerts have a limited audience and their influence is limited."

Moreover, the veteran rock critic said that, although many bands have some particular characteristics, most of them are not outstanding enough to really grab the record companies.

"But, in any case, it's better to have these concerts to give them a voice, to let other people find out about them," Wang said.

New singers and bands with potential need more help. On the other hand, the young musicians themselves should take more responsibility for what they are doing and find out how to achieve their goal. They cannot expect just to sign a record deal and become famous.

Jessica Meider, a jazz singer from New York, said that musicians who are doing it for the music also need to have a strong business mind. Otherwise, she said, they will end up becoming the same old stereotypical idiot musicians.

Meider, who will be a guest performer in the concert series, said she has met some very tough musicians in Beijing who are strong-willed and willing to take new steps in the realm of music.

She said that Beijing's music scene, like the city itself, is always metamorphosing, changing, improving, challenging. "I just hope that the musicians can also change inside as much as out," she said.

Meider now teaches in the Beijing Midi Music School. "I choose to live in China because it is one of the most stimulating places where I've ever lived and now I think of it as my home," she said.

The first concert will feature alternative female voices from Beijing. Most of the bands at the first concert next Thursday have female lead singers.

The subsequent concerts will take place on the last Thursday of every month in the Yan Club at 9 pm and then on the Friday before Christmas. (The Yan Club is at 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu in Chaoyang District. Tel: 8457 3506)

(China Daily July 18, 2003)