When you think of a fan’s bedroom you may think of a colorful CD shelf, illegible autograph books, and photo albums full of rock stars… But have you ever seen a fan who has transformed their bedroom into a rehearsal room for rent so they can be closer to the bands they love?

Li Xiang’s home is located in No.6 Dajing Factory Alley, a place with hundreds of years of history. Behind the graffiti and sticker filled door is a warm and traditional old Beijing courtyard: well-trimmed flowers, an antique wooden sofa, a dripping clothes line, a pair of Converse canvas shoes drying on the windowsill…… It feels like we should make a pot of tea and play koto but instead we hear the sounds of a bass drum and a distorted guitar. That’s because this is the “No.6” rehearsal room, famous in the Beijing indie music scene.

The owner, Li Xiang, previously sold “missile launchers” for a company affiliated with the Chinese Army. The young rocker at 25, was bored with his life and decided to open a rehearsal room at home with his girlfriend. They separated their big bedroom into 2 rooms – one bigger and one smaller, with sound proofing treatment (the house was so old it needed double sound proofing). After a few other finishing touches, “No.6” opened.

In the first 2 months, business was poor. But thanks to the great location of “No.6” (next to Gulou East Street, home to various instrument stores, fashion shops and the Mao Livehouse), and the warm service of the couple, many bands were attracted to the space. After a year and a half, “No.6” has become the hottest rehearsal room in Beijing, with more than 150 bands having rehearsed here. If you hang around, you are likely to see Carsick Cars, Super VC, Casino Demon, Steel Heart, Hedgehog, Wang Xiaokun, Ziyo, and many other active figures from the Beijing scene.
Li Xiang and his girlfriend are typical Beijing youth – enthusiastic and talkative. Many bands like to come early or stay late to chat with them. “Our good relations all come from drinking together with the bands”, Li Xiang says with a laugh.

They are living a fan’s dream. They get to meet so many bands, listening to them develop new music and following all the gossip from the scene. “Ziyo and Carsick Cars are diligent bands who rehearse frequently. The most diligent band is Steel Heart, whose members come every day at 10am. The most relaxed is Casino Demon! Every time they meet each other, they ask each other ‘what are you busy with?’ ‘how are you these days?’, as if they haven’t seen each other for a long time. How can a band be like this? Haha.”

There are always new faces showing up at “No.6.” Many unnamed bands rehearse diligently here. They’ll name their bands when they get a chance to perform and then become famous. It’s just like what is happening with rock all over the world. Li Xiang had a band once and expected to be rock star. But now, he’s more than willing to continue his current lifestyle. “I think it’s a good, relaxing life, to have people you like around. I don’t want to have a band any more. It’s great to serve my brothers and sisters like this.”