THEY are not big, glitzy clubs but two places devoted to xinyao music continue to draw the crowds.

The heyday for that artform was in the 1980s and the operators of The Ark Cafe and Music Dreamer Live!

Cafe say the customer base has widened.

While students used to be the main supporters, today's fans range from undergraduates to working adults.

One big draw is the chance to step up on stage to croon a favourite song.

Read the full story in Life! in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.