They are also the "best live act I saw at Midi," according to Shanghai blogger and DJ Michael Ohlsson. Now, it should also be mentioned that Micheal does marketing for 4live, where British dance/soul/electronic/funk/disco band Kava Kava is playing at 9 pm tomorrow night. But Michael likes good beer, so we trust his word. And if you need another opinion, some guy on YouTube says "Kava Kava are the shit." Entrance is 50 kuai. Check out some Kava Kava tracks at MySpace. more ›

Pitchfork ran a post recently that touched on some Shanghai live music news, mostly the role they felt was played by the "slightly-more-repressive-than-ours" Chinese government. (Pitchfork is based in Chicago.) We've already offered you some reasons why Pretty Girls Make Graves canceled their April 28 gig at 4live. Pitchfork talked to their label, Matador, which said "following some miscommunications with promoters, Pretty Girls were unable to secure work visas in time for the shows." Hmmm. Wonder if the Shanghai-based promoter would want to comment on that? (The Pitchfork story also mention that Sonic Youth's Shanghai gig "went off without a hitch" — for the fans, yes ... but, again, the promoter may sing a different tune.) more ›