Jake Newby

Ugh. Summertime in Shanghai and livin' ain't all that easy. It's too darn hot one minute, sun showers the next. Luckily, Yuyintang have just installed a new air-con unit in the main room making it just that little bit less hot 'n' sticky. Live Bar? Well, they've got dirt... continue reading on Shanghaiist

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... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Miniless Records will hold their latest showcase featuring some of the most interesting bands in China this Saturday at YYT. Where: Yuyintang, 1731 Yan'an Xi Lu (entrance on Kaixuan Lu), 延安西路1731号 (入口在凯旋路) Starts: Saturday, June 27th, 9pm Cover: 50rmb For more on this and the rest of the weekend's... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Last week, one of our favourite local bands Pinkberry began filming a music video for 'Pinkberry Song' and asked us along to take part. It'll be a month or so before we can see the finished result, but it was an impressively professional start - we can't wait to see... continue reading on Shanghaiist

This weekend is all about hero worship. Miserable Faith are the kind of metal band that causes diehard fans to get their name and logo tatooed across their bodies; Joyside's Bian Yuan sexy swagger is enough to make you weak at the knees; while Shanghai's own folk heroes Dan... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Two months on from Soma's controversial deal with the Dream Factory, it seems the local record label are preparing to pull the plug on their arrangements with Zhijiang and instead combine with one of Beijing's premier livehouses to create MAO Shanghai. According to our sources, the investors behind MAO... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Around 1:30pm this afternoon thick plumes of black smoke could be seen coming from the corner of Huaihai Lu and Fuxing Lu, just above Laifu Restaurant. There is a small roof garden on top of the building and this seemed to be the main source of the fire, though officers... continue reading on Shanghaiist

We're not going to lie - this weekend pretty much belongs to hip hop. There's a couple of good rock gigs in the next few days and some great shows on the way later this month (the Miniless Showcase will be amazing and Joyside are in town for the first... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Or at least Shanghai. The story of live hip hop in our city (MC Hotdog aside) is generally one of rumour and disappointment. Remember when Nas tore ish up at Racks? Or when Jay Z wowed a packed crowd at Hongkou Stadium? No, us neither. That's largely because it didn't... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Remember the Pepsi band contest and how it ended up being sort of a sham? Here's a quick refresher courtesy of local music aficionado Andy Best: "The basic gist is this. SMG (TV company) don't have a f*cking clue. Bands turned up to see that no equipment had been... continue reading on Shanghaiist

There's not exactly tumbleweed blowing through Shanghai's live music venues this weekend, but it's fair to say that compared to the steady steam of bands we've had in recent months, this weekend seems a quiet one. Of course, Torturing Nurse's NOIShanghai show will ensure it is anything but, while SOMA... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Yes, it really has taken us this long to recover from the Antidote Festival in Zhujiajiao last weekend. And just in time to catch the Antidote gang down at C's tonight as well. As much as we love C's, it probably isn't quite as atmospheric as the venue chosen for... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Pedants might point out that Thursday night (and indeed Monday, included below) doesn't count as the weekend. But frankly, this is no place for pedantry. With the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the weekend really is starting early. Tonight The Mushrooms' Zapatafication of YYT continues apace. Remember back in March... continue reading on Shanghaiist

I have a dream... a song to sing. Yeah, that's right, we're quoting ABBA. What of it? We won't be expecting to hear that song tonight (probably for the best), but instead you will see eight local bands performing as the artists who first inspired them to get into... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Yep, this weekend is a big 'un. We probably spend an inordinate amount of time in YYT anyway but, if it wasn't for the Antidote Festival down in Zhujiajiao, we'd probably just camp out in Tianshan Park this weekend. Tonight Carsick Cars and Gar. Together, on the same bill. Carsick... continue reading on Shanghaiist

There's some excellent bands in town this weekend (and we'll talk about them later), but there's also a couple of great reasons to head out of the city and catch some top music. In fact, there's so many great reasons that we've decided we need to give you double the... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Last week was so packed with great live music that this weekend looks pretty tame by comparison. Not that the city's music venues are resting on their laurels for long. Once punk legends Sham 69 have finished up their set, you'll be just a few short days away from visits... continue reading on Shanghaiist

Music lovers can get their weekend started early tonight with three great events going on around the city. My Digital Generation: How can independent music make money in China? The monthly creative talk organised by our good friends at Neocha turns its focus to music and whether independent artists and... continue reading on Shanghaiist

American folk singer Abigail Washburn has teamed up with Shanghai Restoration Project producer Dave Liang to create Afterquake, an album of songs put together in aid of Sichuan Quake Relief. The record uses field recordings and voices from the quake zone itself to create the tracks. It will be... continue reading on Shanghaiist

That's it. We're packing our bags and moving to Hunan. Not content with having the best TV station, a decent claim to the best food, and some pretty stunning scenery, the south-eastern province also has a pretty cool party official. Well, relatively cool we mean. Zhao Xiaoming who, as... continue reading on Shanghaiist