Don't Watch This: Confucius
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Video: Riding down Da Jing Lu
It seems wrong to put out a music-related post today without mentioning The King of Pop. When we received a text from a friend this morning asking if we'd heard about Michael Jackson, the initial thought was 'what's he done now?' It's a shame that for some generations, he will only be 'Wacko Jacko', a bizarre public freak show.
We're not saying that his behavior in recent years (which could generously be described as erratic) should be glossed over or forgotten about, just that we should also remember that the man was a musical genius. As a child of the '80s, our introduction to MJ came through Bad, but it wasn't long before an obsession with Thriller and Off the Wall led to the tape head on our walkman being worn out.
It's testament to the strength of his music that, even despite the lurid details of his personal life, songs such as Billie Jean and Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough (to mention just two) remain universally adored. As B6 put it earlier, "the best groove in the world is gone."
Anyway, here's what's happening in the Shanghai music world this weekend:
Friday
Monroe Stahr are still fresh enough to just about be termed a "new" band on the Shanghai scene. That hasn't stopped them from getting to the album release party stage ahead of most of the bands in town however and rightfully so - they have the material to back it up. Dragon Pizza, who impressed with their last show at YYT, are the other band on the bill.
¥30, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)
8MG - who you may know as the most ignorant band ever (but probably don't) - get to headline their own show with their dramatic rock stylings. We're not sure whether Live Bar has installed a wind machine and other '80s stadium rock staples to welcome them in, but we're sure 8MG (named after the amount of tar in Zhongnanhai dontcha know?) will make a night of it regardless. UPDATE: It seems a rather tired Live Music Preview got its 8MGs muddled up - apparently there's two bands with that name in Shanghai. How confusing. Thanks to EddyT in the comments for clarifying.
¥30, 9pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路
Saturday
La La Ping, Candy*Dreamer, Fried Egg & Tomato, Honey Glazed Pork and friends make up a low-key (and oddly food-themed) afternoon over at Yuyintang courtesy of the prolific Folk 0093 collective.
¥40, 12:30pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)
If you read our interview with Miniless' Hans earlier this week, you should already be as excited about the latest showcase from the low-key label as we are. Hans' bands Lava|Ox|Sea (who used to be known as The Los) and Duck Fight Goose will be aided and abetted by Boojii, Self Party and Fading Horizon. Don't miss it whatever you do.
¥50, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)
Sunday
Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon up at Live Bar with the Three Corners of the Yangtze folk festival. The first set of performances start at 1pm and the second set around 9pm.
¥40, 1pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路
¥30, 9pm, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路
Video: Concrete Avalanche courtesy of Lava|Ox|Sea
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Just to clarify. There are two bands in Shanghai called 8mg. The one playing at Live Bar tonight isn't the 'most ignorant band ever' that plays 80s stadium rock so no wind machine will be needed!
Just now, upon reading this comment, I formed a third band in Shanghai called 8mg. We are the best of the three.