Deku, Carbon, Snuff Disco
(Yuyintang 育音堂 2020.11.12)
Compared to Beijing, the expat scene here in Shanghai feels more self-contained - not by choice per se, but more out of the limited options the industry has to offer presently. Fact is, between costs, licenses, and finding a date that’s not already booked by a touring band or label with some clot behind them, organizing a show on the weekend ain’t what it used to be. Which leaves you the weekdays and very few options. Which is why places like Yuyintang are irreplaceable since they are willing and are eager to give bands within the expat community a home. I popped over late last Thursday to check out LUCID 666’s sprawling showcase and some of the local bands making some noise.
Three-piece indie rock outfit Deku brought some rustic charm to their set - a hearty mix of guitar-driven psych-rock and tender alt-country melodies, that reminded me of My Morning Jacket, amongst others. Good stuff.
Spunk and scrappy rock and roll antics are the name of the game with Carbon, whose brand of jagged pop punk is lots of fun and not afraid to muddy up the waters with its acidic tongue placed firmly in its cheek. They know exactly what they're doing and how to deliver.
The night closed out with a set from up and coming melodic post punk outfit Snuff Disco, who embed their sound with a lean sultry synth-infused cold wave goth vibe. Made up of members of Fliphouse and Gargoyle Girlfriend, they were a hell of a nightcap - a band with some serious potential who I』ll have to keep an eye.
Once again, if paying 100 plus renminbi for a gig over the weekend isn’t your cup of tea, then definitely recommend checking out Yuyintang (and Yuyintang Park) and their weekly calendar as you can always find a free lineup featuring new and familiar faces, and quite possibly a surprise or two. Onwards!
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