Shanghai: Too funky in here

Well, we predicted it. In a prophetic piece of posting from the very early days of Shanghaiist’s existence, we raised the possibility of a James Brown concert in this city. Or rather, we suggested it would be a very welcome thing.

Now it’s a reality. Only, James and his 19-piece band won’t be playing the Shanghai Stadium as we predicted, but the Yun Feng Theatre. Not familiar with it? Nor were we. It’s owned by the People’s Liberation Army and hosts a regular acrobatics performance, which seems apt in view of Brown’s penchant for doing the splits. Whether, at the age of 72, he can still pull off this stunt is debatable. We’ve got seats near the front, so we kind of hope not.

Check out this website for a map of the venue, a seating chart for tickets, and details of the official “Sex Machine” after-party at Mint. And don’t miss this slice of funk-soul history in Shanghai.

Finally, here are a few of our favourite James Brown things:

• Song: "The Payback"
• Outfit: The low-cut sequined jump suit emblazoned with the letters T.G.O.S. that he wears in When We Were Kings.
• Sample: “They Want EFX” - Das EFX sampling “Blind Man Can See It” from the Black Caesar album.
• Quote: “The only thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing.”
• Lyric: The girl over there with the hot pants on / Filthy MacNasty all night long / Get down! / Hu! / The one over there / With the mini dress / Ha! / I ain’t got time - I still dig that mess / Get down! / But I like the hot pants / Hey! / I like a hot pants. ("Hot Pants")

James Brown, Yun Feng Theatre, 1700 Beijing Xi Lu. 22 February, 8pm.Tel: 6289-3919. Web: www.cwest.cn/jamesbrown. Tickets: 880/780 RMB