C.U.M. COMMON UNDERGROUND MEMBERS On 25 September 2026, C.U.M. returns to Aby’ss Shanghai for another chapter of the resident-driven project built around the harder and more confrontational edges of China’s underground electronic music culture. Created by PRYMARA, co-founder and Artistic and Booking Director of Aby’ss, C.U.M. was developed from within the club rather than around a conventional international headliner model. Its territory moves through hardcore, hard techno, industrial electronics, high-BPM rave and the more distorted edges of contemporary club music. But C.U.M. has increasingly become about more than genre. It connects music with performance, BDSM culture, resident identity and artists operating across different underground communities in China and Asia. For this edition, that network expands again. KULTURA joins C.U.M. from Wuhan, bringing together her Central Asian background and her position within Wuhan’s independent electronic music community. Originally representing the harder underground scene of Kazakhstan, she later became part of China’s local club ecosystem and is the founder and owner of an independent mini-club in Wuhan. Her appearance at Aby’ss creates another connection between Shanghai, Wuhan and Central Asia, reflecting one of C.U.M.’s central ideas: underground culture in China does not exist only within one city. Alongside KULTURA, the night brings together the residents and artists surrounding C.U.M. and Aby’ss, continuing to build a network based on local and regional scenes rather than depending exclusively on imported international names. THE BDSM STAND RETURNS This edition also sees the return of one of C.U.M.’s most distinctive experiments. Guests entering the party will again have access to a free BDSM stand with masks, accessories and equipment that can be selected and used throughout the night. The concept was introduced at C.U.M. CHEMICAL LOVE as a way of turning the audience into active participants in the visual identity of the party. Instead of BDSM existing only as decoration or a dress code, guests are given the opportunity to transform themselves after entering the club. Masks move through the dance floor. Identities change. The distinction between audience, performer and character becomes less defined as the night develops. This approach continues a much longer history surrounding Aby’ss. Before C.U.M., PRYMARA created HYDRA, a Shanghai underground project that brought BDSM culture, performance and heavy electronic music together. That philosophy later evolved through BLOODBATH, Aby’ss’ annual Blade-inspired blood rave, and eventually C.U.M. Different projects developed different identities, but all were created around the idea that underground club culture can extend beyond music alone. BUILT FROM WITHIN CHINA While Aby’ss regularly connects Shanghai with international techno and underground artists, C.U.M. serves another purpose. It builds from inside the region. Previous editions have connected Aby’ss residents with artists from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guangdong and other parts of China. With KULTURA joining from Wuhan and bringing a connection to Kazakhstan and Central Asia, that network continues to expand. This is an important part of the culture Aby’ss has developed since opening in Shanghai in 2021. International bookings form one side of the club. Resident artists and independently created projects form the other. C.U.M., BLOODBATH and ABIBAS have each developed their own communities, visual identities and musical territories while remaining connected to the wider Aby’ss ecosystem. C.U.M. represents its heaviest side. Hardcore, hard techno and high-BPM electronic music. BDSM culture and performance. Shanghai residents and regional underground communities. Built in Shanghai and connected across China and Asia. C.U.M. COMMON UNDERGROUND MEMBERS 25.09.2026 Aby’ss, Shanghai, China Built from within.