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Ah, Shanghai on the weekend. Once a desert for those of us interested in catching an act or two, now so bursting at the seams with great music that we virtually spread ourselves thin every Friday and Saturday trying to take it all in. So we've looked through what's going on and picked the events we think sound the best.
On Friday, Chinese band Convenience Store (便利商店) returning to Yu Yin Tang for a stop on their 2009 tour and Anar will host a Chinese hip-hop showcase event on Friday. Then on Saturday, you've got the choice of listening to the experimental blues guitar of Jeff Lang (over at Yu Yin Tang) or hitting up the first edition of monthly party Badtastic! at Not Me, which promises "good music being played badly by non-DJs." Huh.
FRIDAY
Convenience Store is one of Beijing's longest lasting and most reputable Brit-pop bands. They call themselves "80s young guys opposed the social opinion which thinks all 80s people are money worship." We find their anti-materialistic stance vis-à-vis their name highly entertaining... and their music is good too. Check 'em out.
¥40, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)
The last Mic Park was on July 4, and we're glad we didn't have to wait too long for Anar to come out with its second installment of this Chinese hip-hop showcase. This time around, we'll see Young Cee, L.A.'s LU1, Shanghai crew RPS, Ne Zha (the openers for the Ghostface Killah concert), and Chinese DMC Champion DJ Cavia. They're also promising a freestyle session and a "special guest" from Miami.
¥30, 9pm,129 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu 幸福路137号, 近法华镇路
If you're out by Kunming Lu, Live Bar is hosting Norwegian punk band Super Monkey. They're punk in the way that Green Day (of 2009) is punk - crisp guitar riffs, easy melodies and catchy hooks. In case Kunming Lu is too far away, you can wait until Saturday to catch them at Live Bar's newly opened Weihai Lu location.
¥35, 9:30pm ON FRIDAY: 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路; ON SATURDAY: Room 103, Building 11, 696 Weihai Lu, 威海路696弄11号103近茂名路
SATURDAY
Australian blues guitarist and all around bad ass Jeff Lang will be showing off his skills at YYT in what promises to be a great show for any blues/folk guitar enthusiasts. If you want to hear some of his strummings, Smartshanghai has some free mp3s for download.
¥50, 9pm, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路)
Shanghai scenesters are starting up a new monthly night at "not-a-live-music-venue" Not Me. According to someone who will be playing that night, these not-DJs will "be cursing the decks with an eclectic mix of Electro, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, Pop, Chinese Karaoke Classics, Grime, Donk, Guilty Pleasures and more all mashed together with the skill of untrained monkeys. The music will be excellent, though poorly mixed, and there will probably be a terrible scratching competition and plenty of awkward silences." What can we say? The self deprecation makes us curious.
Free, 21 Dong Ping Lu near Hengshan Lu, 东平路21号近衡山路
How much does Shanghai love Michael Jackson? So much that they're not willing to stop the tributes quite yet. Live Bar is hosting a "Hail to Jackson" event where six to eight local bands will do covers of Jackson's songs. Apparently there'll even be a guy who will recreate the King of Pop's dance moves.
¥30, 721 Kunming Lu, near Tongbei Lu, 昆明路721号近通北路
Video is Convenience Store's World (世界)
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I was all up for that night at Not Me until it mentioned Donk.