This week in Shanghaiist
If any of you have been in Shanghai for over 3 years you might remember a time when Ark Livehouse in Xintiandi was one of the few bastions of live music. Slowly disappearing from the scene and limping along for the past 3 years with the rare live show, Ark is finally calling it quits. Saturday they will hold one last show featuring some of Shanghai's oldest bands, including The Honeys, Blue Garden and Crystal Butterfly. If you haven't been to Ark this is your last chance so get off your ass and see what the Shanghai rock scene was like way back in 2004.
Tonight there are plenty of shows from a multitude of genres to keep the various crowds happy. Cold Fairyland is back at Yuyintang for a night of chill sounds. Over at the Dream Factory the Mortal Fools, 523, Wild Cat and Modern Cheese will be prancing around the enormous stage in a showcase of local punk/metal bands. Live Bar is featuring a weekend of Metal, getting heads banging tonight with Liquid Oxygen Can from Beijing.
We always felt there were at least a few photographers working on books about the Shanghai music scene and finally one is out. Tim Franco and Gianpaolo Lupori will be at Yuyintang, in the afternoon, to celebrate the release of Rock Optics 07/08. Stick around after the release party and catch indie rock band Gala, from Beijing. Shanghai metal band, 5-pointed Star will be at Live Bar in case you are feeling like a little more head banging.
Friday - May 27th
Cold Fairyland - Yuyintang - 9pm (30rmb)
Liquid Oxygen - Live Bar - 9pm (40rmb - 1 drink)
Red Rock Live III - Zhijiang Dream Factory - 8pm - (40rmb)
Saturday - May 28th
the Honeys, Crystal Butterfly and Blue Garden - Ark Livehouse - 2pm to 8pm (100rmb)
Rock Optics 07/08 Book Launch - Yuyintang - 4pm (free entry - book is 100rmb)
Gala - Yuyintang - 9pm (40rmb)
5-pointed Star - Live Bar - 9pm (free)
Video of Crystal Butterfly
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Hi Abe, the photo book is called "Shanghai Soundbites 07/08." When is yours out anyways?
Ark was going when I first got here in 2001. Alas, its Xintiandi location, and prices, kept it from getting really big. I went once early on and had to pay 60 rmb for a can of coke.
The main staple became house cover bands and touring Japanese acts and then it dropped off to occasional gigs only from around 2004. There was a Beatles tribute day around that time which was pointless and during the day time.
Anyone want to come out in their defense and point out all the regular gigs I missed there over the past year? It's possible since I'm allergic to Xintiandi.
Back then in the wilderness I even watched a house cover band next door at Star East and it wasn't much different to the Ark experience.
I made a mistake on the location for the book release..it is actually YY's...not Yuyintang.....I guess I should really start reading the press releases instead of just skimming through them trying to find the details...hope everyone found the right venue...if not I believe the book is still for sale online