At a temple dormitory in Zhejiang, a trio of monks calling themselves “Buddha's End Band" (佛涯组合) sing "Song of the Wanderer" (游子吟), an original song written and composed by the monks. We're really digging the wooden fish rhythm accents and the oneness of their enlightened harmony. more ›

Local trash rock duo Pairs is cooking up something pretty cool for December. They've booked up Yuyintang on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec 18, and they now want to find two or three local student bands to come play a show with them. So all you students out there who just know your band is awesome but can't find the opportunity to show anybody, here's your chance! more ›

It's been a little slow lately for live music, but it's gonna be a really hectic month in March. Aside from some world-famous performers, starting on the 12th until April 3, JUE festival: The Anti-Hibernation will be providing three weeks of "eclectic artsy dopeness." more ›

You've no doubt already heard about our Dukes of Hazzard-inspired 4th of July party coming up this Sunday at Boxing Cat Brewery on Fuxing Lu. We're really excited to have a very talented trio of musicians — they're calling themselves Boss Hogg — performing all afternoon. We recently caught up with Boss Hogg member Jeff Davis, who told us a little bit about the group. more ›

Indie is In this week with the TransmitCHINA conference coming to Shanghai. Plenty of FREE rock concerts out there as well with a dash of mellow music for good measure. Warning further reading may produce shockingly good musical results. more ›

There is something goin down more ›

UPDATE: Pinkberry have been forced to withdraw from Saturday night's line up at Yuyintang (their bassist's wife is seriously ill, we wish her well). more ›

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 cheap beers. And Soma Live? They seem to have melted away altogether for now. So here's where to get sweaty this weekend: more ›

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. more ›

With his closer involvement at the livehouse, we can also expect more Miniless artists performing there in the coming months adding another dimension to Shanghai's live music scene. We spoke to Hans about the label and his hopes for its future. more ›

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 how it turns out. more ›

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 Shapiro of The Rogue Transmission and Pu Pu of The Mushrooms will also be in action building their own cult followings. Last weekend may have been a quiet one, but the next few days are anything but. more ›

Decide for yourself when they play their first show in Shanghai at LOgO this Friday. As an added bonus to our Shanghaiist readers, we're giving away four of their CDs - just send an email to contest.giveaway (at) shanghaiist (dot) com with the words "Shanghaiist Random K(e) CD Giveaway" in the subject line and your name in the body. The first four to send an email to us with that info will get a CD. more ›

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 time in ages backed by The Rogue Transmission for example), but given the limited options this weekend, we'll keep it brief. more ›

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: more ›

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 music at Yuyintang's "Back to the Beginnings of Dreams" night. more ›

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. more ›

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 by AV Okubo in support of the excellent Ratatat, Gay Fish favourites Carsick Cars (who'll be bringing The Gar back to town too), and Casino Demon as they release their new album. Not bad. But first thing's first - this weekend: more ›

We recently caught up with Shanghai-based independent filmmaker Luis Tapia of Daedalum Films, who is currently busy preparing for the May 9 premiere screening of his new documentary short about Shanghai band Hard Queen and the life of indie rock musicians in China. Seats are still available for the screening. Advance tickets can be purchased here. more ›

Midi Festival commenced at Zhenjiang this year, a mere 11 hours away from Beijing by train. Musical highlights on May 1 included Shouren (Thin Man) and Cui Jian doing an extended set. Other things I will remember: the singer of Turdus Musicus tangled in his microphone cord, trying to get through into the audience past a panicked security line and members of Mike TV tripping over the phrase "niu bi" (eventually it was decipherable enough to understand). Beer and kebobs were available. All in all, the first day of the festival was a well-organized affair. Who knew Zhenjiang could rock? more ›

Before we get on with this weekend's live music preview (and there's plenty going on by the way), here's a quick round-up of some recent music news we thought we'd share with you. more ›

Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy a slowly growing and community-built live music scene, something comes out of nowhere to shake things up again. YYT will no doubt be packed for Re-TROS this weekend. Does that mean Shanghai needs a mid-sized venue? Probably yes. Does that mean it's sustainable to run gigs in a mid-sized venue 4-5 nights a week? Probably not (though we wish it did). Does it mean that venues can afford to start making ridiculous demands of promoters? Definitely not. more ›

So you thought Midi was the only festival game in town? Think again. Three music events - all festivals of a sort - covering three different types of music are heading your way in the next month or so. Yes, we know one of them is related to Expo, but World Music has the right to a festival too and bringing in those kind of artists was never going to escape Haibao's reach this close to 2010. We'll have more details on all of these nearer the time but, for now, here's a preview: more ›

"If a different promoter wants to use the venue they will now have to either split the ticket sales 50-50 or pay 15 000 rmb up front. This essentially cuts out the majority of other music promoters and makes the venue their own."

Bam! Bam! Bam! Nope, that's not the sound of Midi hopes being quashed, it's the sound of three straight weekends of great gigs coming your way. Forget all that tiresome festival nonsense and look forward to Battles this weekend, the brilliant Hard Queen next Saturday and then Hedgehog promoting their new album the weekend after. more ›

UPDATE: And just a few minutes later, according to @Neocha, Shanghai Midi is canceled. Apparently there was a permit issue? more ›

It was only a matter of time. Yes, the traditional Midi Shanghai is on, off, on again, moved, all nonsense, season has started in earnest. Not only that, but it seems to be enjoying something of a vintage year. If all the claims and counter-claims are getting on your nerves, then we suggest you hit some of these shows this weekend and get Fucked Up*. We promise these shows aren't rumours. Honest. more ›

This week's big music story in Shanghai has clearly been the Oasis debacle (even if some people insist on misreporting it). Local music hacks have really gone to town on the British theme, cracking out puns like they were auditioning for a job with The Sun and even indulging in some classic tabloid-style "exclusive" wars and bitchiness. more ›

With the Oasis cancellation and rumors swirling around that 0093 - the underground practice space for most of Shanghai's bands - could possibly be closed down for the Expo, local music fans were in need of some good news. more ›

We told you the concerts were off. Now we know why (the band's version of why, at least): The boys from Manchester got Björked, and Liam didn't even get to touch his tambourine. According to a statement released by Oasis, China's Ministry of Culture deemed the band "unsuitable" for Chinese audiences (an no, not because of Heathen Chemistry). So why then? "Noel Gallagher appeared at a Free Tibet Benefit Concert on Randall's Island in New York in 1997." more ›