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We weren't expecting much -- just maybe to hear these guys play their dueling guitars, spy on some hipster chicks and down a few Xinjiang Black Beers. What we got was one of the worst cover bands we have seen in China (that is saying a lot) and a crowd that looked like we had perhaps happened upon the 25-year reunion of the Shanghai International School. (There actually was a party there, we think. We saw a sign that said "Belgium, Second Floor.")
Fine. Cover bands have their place. And so do drunk middle-aged people -- give us another decade and we'll be one. But we just didn't think that place would be Tang Hui, especially on a Saturday night. Aren't there already enough places in town for fans of cover bands (much better cover bands, in fact, with lead singers who don't need to read lyrics out of a book)? Isn't that why we have hotel bars and Tongren Lu? Maybe it's time we stop trying to force Tang Hui into being the bar that we hoped it would be and realize what it is. It is not the hipster haven that the old Tanghui was -- it is just a cool venue with what must be very high rent and owners who are trying to pay their bills. If it takes hiring tired acts and renting it out to parties on a Saturday night to do that, so be it.
Tang Hui will still have its moments -- we've had some great times there, and this was the first time we were truly embarrassed by the place -- but perhaps the bar's status will be day-to-day, and largely dictated by the bands that are booked to play. We still like the space. Granted, the area near the stage is tiny and there is a big concrete support blocking a good portion of the view from the second floor, but it is still a nice bar, and on Saturday night they played good music in between sets. When Tang Hui is good, it's good. But maybe Tang Hui can't be relied upon to deliver a consistent vibe on a nightly basis the same way the old one did. It's a shame. But it seems that's just might be the way it is. And we need to deal with it. Or maybe Tang Hui will prove us wrong?
We stayed longer than we should have on Saturday night. A bar staffer had promised what we were experiencing was the cover band's last set. So we bought drinks and decided to soldier on -- we were told the guitar guys we liked would be coming on next. We had just ordered our second drinks (they were out of Xinjiang Black Beer, by the way ... again) when we found out that wasn't true and we got another dose of out-of-tune "party anthems."
It should be noted that there were some people at Tang Hui on Saturday night who appeared to have a great time (see video above). People were drunk and dancing. It felt like Malone's.
And that is fine. But the question remains: Where is that progressive bar we are looking for? The one with the laid back vibe, decent drinks and good music. Where should we have taken our friend on Saturday night? Beijing?
Also on Shanghaiist:
Tang Hui Pub getting shut down!
Say goodbye to Tang Hui
Tang Hui to reopen in April, party this Saturday
A sneak peak at the new Tang Hui
A night out on the town: Pecha Kucha and Tang Hui
GigShanghai: Dance rock, a smashed bass, a Tang Hui challenge
GigShanghai: Northern grunge, Tang Hui strikes back and Akufen
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Oh god where will all the "cool" people gather now?! Where will they meet to discuss just how individual they are and how much better music is if only 5 people have heard of the band. Hipsters are full of themselves and spend too much time trying to out "cool" everyone else. Yeah, its a bit ridiculous to have a middle aged band of amatuers playing old rock tunes and party favorites but it is not every weekend and I'm pretty sure that was the first time that type of band played there. If you can't have a laugh at something that absurd, then you are taking yourself too seriously, which is something this website tends to do. I have heard this band play at Harley's before and it wasn't great or "indie", but people had fun.
Hahahahahaahaha I think you stumbled across a hash house harrier party...www.shanghai-hhh.com
That would explain the dancing guy's excellent calf muscles.
Brice,
You miss the point. Fact is there are PLENTY of places in Shanghai to catch a mediocre cover band. Tanghui used to be reliable as a refreshing break from that scene. It was my friend in town from the US, and I was eager to show him Tanghui. While we waited for the house band to come on, we were treated to "Taking Care of Business" and "Johnny Be Good" and various other staples of mediocre live music venues here in town... as the musicians read the lyrics from a book in front of them. I wasn't laughing at the absurdity of it because I had a friend who won't have an other opportunity to see the Tanghui that made me a regular. I for one agree with Shanghaiist calling them out on dedicating a Saturday night to that show.
2 thoughts - first off, well done to call any venue out (not on Hengshan Lu) for booking a cover band on a Sat night...even if they had a cancel, I'm sure Zooma's iPod would be better than *that*.
But I think another point here is being brought up...I love Dan to bits, but "trek"? Sure, we use that word when we actually make the trip, but it took us a total of 15 minutes in a cab to get from YYT to Time Passage on Sat night. Even Live bar isn't "pee before you go" worthy - so these Captain's of Convenience are as much to blame for taking a chance on Tanghui instead of hitting up a show with 4 bands.
I've even read of people moaning about Shuffle being "out of the way" which is absurd - as it was right next to the old (sniff) Tanghui.
A taxi ride to said "remote areas of the greater Shanghai area" is still cheaper than a black beer...and with no AC, at least that above dancing man would have dropped by 10p.
It's called underground for a reason - it doesn't come to you, you have to make the effort.
Why on earth is there this 'memory' of the old Tanghui being the busiest, most energetic, and musically accomodating bar in Shanghai? Haven't you forgotten how hot it got, the fact that there was only one toilet (and that was often broken), that the service was slow, and that the bloody bar itself blocked most people's view?! Ladytron might have done an unannounced accoustic set there one night for a laugh but that was about as wild as it got. Otherwise, it was just Hassan, Crystal Butterfly and occassionally that chick that sang really good Nivana covers. Hardly the music meca some passionately remember.
Surprisingly, some people forget that the new Tanghui has supported US bands, Canadian Bands/DJs, Beijing Bands, and an assortment of new Shanghai bands performing randomly (yes, and they haven't discared Hassan and Crystal Butterfly; although the Nivana girl is nowhere to be seen). My hat goes off to Yuyintang for testing new bands, but Tanghui can hardly be accused of ignoring new live music. Afterall, there is an upcoming Battle of the Bands for unsigned bands, right?
Let's give Tanghui the benefit of the doubt regarding this Belgium night, and return on Friday to the Yaska concert (hardcore band). I'd like to see that dancing, short wearing Hash House Harrier in the mosh-pit!
That's a lot of superlatives, neale, that I'm not sure anyone has attributed to Tanghui, or any bar for that matter. We like Tanghui, plain and simple. And we were disappointed they had such a sh*t band when our good friend was in town.
that video is some of the funniest shit i have seen in a while. i love it when he touches the floor.
So... yeah, I was there for the soundcheck earlier that day and it wasn't pretty. I guess I should've warned people. But, come tonight (Tuesday). Tang Hui is going to attempt to redeem themselves with 21g, a good local post rock-playing band.
I agree - 21g is a good band, and Charlie (lead) is as much fun to watch as listen to...
But - since when are the sins of a weekend redeemable (sp) on a Tues? Why not 21g on Sat and a cover band on Tues? I think that was mentioned in the post, where and when cover bands belong (slow weekdays and awesome weddings).
I'm just amazed they even had a soundcheck - it's so...ummm, professional. (And was most likely the same time that Happy Feet Hash Harrier started on the bai jiu).
Speaking of cover bands, I got word that a few people who read SHaiist used to be in a Journey cover band? Now, that might be rad.
Yeah, I agree. Wasn't really defending the bar as much as trying to get some people out last night. And a few came...a lot of Chinese folks, so that was a nice change.
Have you forgotten that the "local" bands playing at both the old and new Tanghui are also largely cover bands? Hassan does covers of Gypsy Kings (how hip is that, hmm?)
Don't really go to tanghui on the weekends anymore because i can't take anymore of crystal butterfly and hassan anymore. If they start getting more bands like 21g in, I might be persuaded to stop in. B6 is cool though...