If you didn't make it to this weekend's Midi music festival, then you're probably going to feel the dull ache of regret after taking a gander at the sort of people who did. more ›

So, Mr Big didn't make it after all to Shanghai's Midi Festival due to a visa boo-boo but nothing has stopped the show from going on over the weekend at Century Park. Since it began in 1997, the Midi Festival has grown to become China's largest rock music festival. Midi's Shanghai debut this year is, as Morgan Short of SmartShanghai notes, "historically significant", as it's the first multiple day rock festival ever to be held in Shanghai. more ›

There's the MiDi festival of course and a score of after parties we covered earlier. Friday starts off with a terrace opening and a new bar opening. And Brownstone is trying to do something a little different: if you live or work in their area, you're invited to theirs to have a welcome shot and 50% off of all alcohol in an old fashioned block party. Baobei farmer's market will be bringing lots of fresh produce out for sale or you could go on a strawberry picking trip to a field in Pudong and pick up some organic fruits and veggies straight out of the field yourself. And if that's still not enough, head over to our calendar for more. more ›

This week is a big one! At long last, Beijing-based Midi Music Festival comes to Shanghai, and while the lineup may leave a few of you wanting, don’t worry. You can spend all day at Midi, then head out to a slew of other excellent concerts happening around the city this weekend. more ›

Local blog InsideGFW has posted a series of interviews with Chinese people who attended the Zhenjiang Midi Music Festival last October. The questions focus largely on internet censorship, the government and "the on-going sexual revolution in China." Some of the answers are fascinating, and definitely reveal a wide spectrum of opinion among such a similar demographic. more ›

The sun shone on Midi and all was good. And at the end of the first day, Lao Cui said unto the gathered masses, "people say that Western rock music is like a rolling stone. I've always thought of Chinese rock music as like a rolling egg. The stone may be solid, but the egg has the chance of life." 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 ›

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 ›

With Midi being canceled our mood has definitely turned glum. But what sucks for those festival fans and the Beijing scene might not be all that bad for us here in Shanghai. More of the bands originally scheduled to attend Midi are scrambling to book gigs in Shanghai, packing our schedule with quality shows. Kicking things off tonight are the Hussy Hicks a folk/jazz duo from Australia who will be providing plenty of much needed chill out music at Labella Cafe. This show is free and the cocktails are always good, so what better way to relax after a hard day at work (or writing angry blogs). more ›

UPDATE, 17:15: An article over on Sina (link in Chinese) is pointing to policing problems and a lack of adequate security as the cause of Midi's demise (a claim seconded by theBeijinger) whilst also quoting festival organiser Zhang Fan as saying that "a postponement is possible, but only possible, there has not been a definitive decision yet". Meanwhile, CityWeekend also quote Zhang: "I'd rather not say right now. There will be an announcement tomorrow". That, to Shanghaiist at least, sounds like a stall for time to inform all the artists/promoters etc. before making the postponement public. CW do state however that the (obviously) smaller-scale Mini Midi festival will still go ahead. more ›

Shanghaiist has just spoken to a promoter from Yuyintang. As of yesterday, they have had their application for the Midi Festival performance licence rejected, and have since announced on their Facebook page that the festival is now officially off. It was going to be held in the park behind the venue (Tianshan Gongyuan). The reason is confirmed as being a knock on from the Bjork incident and concern about ongoing protests in the run up to the Olympics. more ›

We have recently been taking flak for being lazy in bringing you the latest news in the live music scene. So here you go — something to make you all wet inside your pants: Rumors have been flying around that the Midi Festival is taking the show on the road this year. They are supposedly organizing something called the 'Midi Carnival' featuring many of the local as well as international bands that will be playing at the original Beijing Midi Festival. According to what we have heard it will be spread out over two days at some park adjacent to the Pearl Tower. This is apparently what has been told to a few tour managers who are bringing over bands. From the short list of international bands that we have seen so far it looks like Midi is going to have an even stronger metal slant than in the past. Backyard Babies and Hardcore Superstar from Sweden as well as Raunchy from Denmark are scheduled to play. Watch this space for more news! more ›