Chen Qi in his record store in Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan province. The number of guests from other cities have dropped sharply due to the repeated Covid-19 flare-ups and the revenue of his record store dried up when the city was locked down in September, Chen said. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

The interior of a music bar next to Chen’s store that has been closed for over one year. Chengdu is famous for its entertainment culture, but the pandemic has hit the industry hard in the southwestern city. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

A DJ plays music on the second floor of .TAG E-Club. Guests entering the site must first pass the doorkeeper’s test to see if they are real fans of electronic music. Photo: Li Congxun/Caixin

The club was founded in 2013 by Ellen. Due to the pandemic, the club has suspended operations five times this year and has put a planned expansion, according to Ellen. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Gong Heling takes pictures in a men’s bathroom of graffiti painted by his friends and various bands who came to Chengdu to perform. Gong had run a youth hotel in Chengdu since 2013. Besides overnight lodging, his hotel also provides alcohol, music and parties, which attracted singers, DJs and niche fans everywhere. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Nowadays, Gong mainly teaches electronic music and plays songs in clubs occasionally. His hotel closed in August this year after finding it struggled to make ends meet. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Gong plays songs on the rooftop of a bar that his friend A Lan owns. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

A Lan opened the rooftop bar in 2020. It provides space for practicing English, instrument teaching, art exhibitions, concerts, plays and art performances. Even if her partner’s salary could not be paid this year, she said she never thought of giving up. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin

Guests at A Lan’s rooftop bar on Sept. 30. “The rooftop bar has been known to young people in Chengdu for a short time. Since they regard it as a shelter, I will protect it well. At the same time, we are also protected by everyone,” A Lan said. Photo: Liang Yingfei/Caixin