By Disty Mahmud (Class of 2026)
On Wednesday, February 12th, DKU’s Archives and History Initiative (AHI) hosted a book proposal workshop featuring Professor Andrew Field, who introduced his upcoming book We Rock This City: Live Music Bar Scenes in Urban China.
The event began with an overview of his book chapter by chapter. The first chapter explores how Filipino musicians serve as intermediaries between Western and Asian societies, demonstrating adaptability by seeking work wherever opportunities are. He then examines the broader phenomenon of globalization and its impact on urban Chinese nightlife and music culture. Field also discusses the clientele, backgrounds, behaviors, and experiences of patrons in China’s live bar scene. He highlights the role of Filipino “cover bands” in shaping the musical landscape of these venues. Another chapter delves into the lives and careers of Filipino musicians, the families they support back home, and the factors that contribute to their success in the industry. It also examines gender differences among performers.
Field also delves into how the pandemic reshaped the live bar scene. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the industry, forcing most Filipino musicians to return home, where they had to find alternative livelihoods. Those who remained in China faced job losses and lockdowns. The chapter explores their experiences and efforts to rebuild. He then looks into global networks, and how live music bar scenes in China are connected to global networks of musicians, venues, and audiences. Lastly, the final chapter examines how live bar music culture influences local urban communities and cultural landscapes.
Afterwards, Anjeline de Dois, a guest speaker who joined via Zoom, provided insights and suggestions. She encouraged Field to consider the role of place and musical locality. She also questioned whether Filipino musicians are simply imitating Western music or contributing to its evolution through their performances.
The event concluded with a Q&A session that featured a variety of suggested literature and multimedia resources from the audiences. The workshop attracted a large audience, including both faculty and students. Overall, the workshop saw the attendance of 25 students and 4 members of faculty. They all provided valuable discussions on live music culture in urban China and the significant role of Filipino musicians in this landscape.
