Midweek Music Preview: Panic! At the Disco raid Shanghai
As you can tell by the title, the big news this week is international superstars Panic! At the Disco's first ever performance in Shanghai this Saturday. Panic! At the Disco is an American band from Las Vegas famous for their stylish outfits and odd use of exclamation points. Shows in the States have included circus performers and crazy goth outfits - it'll be interesting to see what they bring to Mao Livehouse this Saturday.
But if you're not interested in that, they're not the only show in Shanghai. There's rock and roll fashion shows, swing music, a folk show, and even a battle of the bands going on. So let's take a look at what's playing in Shanghai.
WEDNESDAY
Tonight is The Beat Clothing Bazaar at Dada. The Beat Clothing Bazaar is a mix of rock and soul from the 60s and a fashion market. Double Happiness, Red Red Meat, Booji & Friends, and Disco Kitty will be selling original designs. Enjoy some classic rock, buy some nice clothes, and get your dance on. No cover charge and doors open at 9 PM.
Dada, 115 Xingfu Lu, 幸福路115号
There's also Plastic Chocolate performing at YuYinTang. Plastic Chocolate is a post-rock band. However they consider themselves a non-traditional post-rock band and instead they are the "plastic chocolate" style of music. They have been very active in live performances since 2005, so expect an interesting sound from an experienced band. This won't some garage band show.The show starts at 9.
Yuyintang, 1731 Yanan Xi Lu, 延安西路1731号(凯旋路)
THURSDAY
If you're in the mood for some classical music then you have check out the Century Orchestra Osaka. The 55 member orchestra will be performing select pieces from Akutagawa, Chopin, and Dvorak. The featured soloist is Chinese child prodigy pianist Zhang Shenliang, better known as Niu Niu. Tickets are 80 RMB each.
Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 DingXiang Lu, 上海东方艺术中心,浦东新区丁香路425号
If you want something you can dance to then the Melting Pot is your destination. The Keepers of Swing will bring you some lively, jazz and swing music you can tap your foot to. The band performs at the Melting Pot every Thursday until August 26. The Keepers of Swing start playing at 9:30.
The Melting Pot, No.10, Heng Shan Lu, 衡山路10号
FRIDAY
Mao Livehouse has a lot going on this weekend and it all starts on Friday with their Under the Banyan Tree: Folk on the Road show. The lineup includes the Hermit band, Sichuan Son, Ma Article, Zhou Yun Peng, and Shen Chou. Enjoy some folk music. For tickets email mao-reserve@live.com. Leave your name, phone number, and number of tickets. Booking is open until 12 PM the day of the show.
Mao Livehouse, 570 HuaiHai Xi Lu, 淮海西路570号
Nu-Metal Hardcore band Five Pointed Star, and other members of the seminal 0093 practice space crew, will be performing at Yuyintang on Friday night for 0093's 3rd birthday. Also playing that night: Candy Shop, Rock Bremen, Momo, Little Nature, Joker and 暴走蜗牛 (baozou woniu, which translates to Runaway Snail). More details here
Yuyintang, 1731 Yanan Xi Lu, 延安西路1731号(凯旋路)
SATURDAY
As mentioned before, Panic! at the Disco is performing for the first time ever in Shanghai. Mao Livehouse will be hosting the indie, electro band. If you're in the mood for some crazy fun time, crazy haircuts, and some fun emo tunes, then this show is for you. This show is a warm-up for the Zhangbei Festival on August 1. Tickets cost 300 RMB. The show starts at 9:30 PM.
Mao Livehouse, 570 HuaiHai Xi Lu, 淮海西路570号
SUNDAY
The Be U Rock Band Competition enters its second stage this Sunday as bands square off to be the spokesperson for the Be U group. The competition was battle-of-the-bands style where the bands were judged on their original music. The Be U Rock Band Competition is exclusively for student bands, so if you want to hear the next up and coming sounds, this would be an excellent chance to scope out the future of the Shanghai music scene. The contest is at Plaza 353 and doors open at 10 AM.
Plaza 353, 353 Nanjing Dong Lu, 南京东路353号