Founder Zhu Ning – originally the drummer of Chinese punk band SMZB – was inspired to open the performance space after touring Europe with fellow punks SDL in the early ‘00s.

Marshall-powered shows are held regularly in the main gig space, but elsewhere, the Vox Classroom nurtures the city’s musicians, giving them support and guidance. Local stars like Chinese Football and Ghosh are among the many who have benefited. The scene around them, meanwhile, is spurred on by Livehouse's yearly compilation albums. Through recordings of local artists, these collections offer snapshots of Hubei's creativity – it’s an important documentation process for emerging bands in the area.

It’s not only the locals that benefit from the ongoing support. In the past, acts as diverse as The Cribs, Owl City, Bill Callahan, and Frank Turner have headed to the Livehouse to perform. Such events shine a light on the venue’s status as a conduit for uniting cultures – and the exchange of musical ideas and kinship. So legendary has the space now become that it even featured on the front page of the New York Times in 2021. The venue’s in-house Marshall amps didn’t quite make the photo of Beijing punks Brain Failure performing – but judging by the visible audience reaction, the crowd could hear them just fine.