Photograph: courtesy Elevator
Lots to get through this weekend, from the self-declared 'godfather of hard trap' to 'elemental raves', from Baijiu Robots to Hippo Tanks. Here's where you should be hitting up in the coming days.
Backspace
Photograph: courtesy Maybe Mars
A generous serving of angular, Krautrock and surf-rock influenced tunes are on the menu as Maybe Mars-signed, Guangxi-formed outfit Backspace hit town as part of a tour to promote new album Human Architecture. Never Passenger provides support.
📍 Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9.30pm-late. 90RMB; 70RMB (presale).
Forests
Photograph: courtesy MAO Livehouse
Specialising in angular, spiky post-punk, excellent Taiwanese trio Forests hit town touting a new album entitled Idols Collapse. The new record, which is being released as a gatefold vinyl among other formats, is described by the official blurb as 'eight songs in 36 minutes that unfurl like a flower and expand like a mushroom cloud, designed for utter osmosis and total absorption'. Sounds pretty great to us - and anyone who witnessed their live set at Wetware Festival in Beijing last year will know MAO is in for a treat with this gig. Extra bonus: excellent Shanghai duo Foster Parents are opening.
📍 MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 8.30-11pm. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
SM Party
Photograph: Eva Blue via Unsplash
The Mansion's BDSM party is back this Friday with an interactive show filled with those chains and whips that excited Rihanna so much, only this time, they'll be suspended from the ceiling. The Mansion is ready to explore what would make even the most experienced dom or sub blush. Be sure to ask about the dungeon in the basement that predates The Mansion.
📍 The Mansion, 851 Hongjing Lu, near Hongqiao Lu. 10pm-7am. 100RMB (includes five drinks before 1am; three drinks after 1am).
Warz
Photograph: courtesy Arkham
Chinese EDM producer and trap remixer (you've likely heard his spin on Higher Brothers' 'Made in China' at some point on the Shanghai club scene) unleashes his new Go Hard EP with a bit of help from Bass Hoodie and Evan Future.
📍 Arkham, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm-late. 120RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Zakmatic
Photograph: courtesy ALL
Anitgen and Morbid join forces to bring in the LA producer and friend of Le1f for an elemental rave at ALL, with Ikke, Shy Shine, and unhea7thy4u in support.
📍 ALL, Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm-late. Tickets tba.
Fifth Shanghai Indie Alternative Shoegaze FestivalPhotograph: courtesy Yuyintang Park
The fifth outing of Luuv Label's catch-all indie-rock fest takes in two nights at YYT Park (beside Zhongshan Park, not at the old Yuyintang) and an electronic afterparty at MAO. The first night includes Loft Beach, Thud, Day and Buffalo, and Tamaryn; day two features DoZzz, Manic Sheep, and Cosmic Child; Utena Kobayashi headlines the afterparty on the Saturday. That's artists from China, Taiwan, Japan, and the US all on the same bill with a lean toward shoegaze but really all kinds of indie-rock.
📍 Yuyintang Park, B1, 1398 Yuyuan Lu, near Dingxi Lu. 7.30pm-late. 249RMB per day; 399RMB (all days, presale).
Brain Failure
Photograph: courtesy Brain Failure
Beijing punks Brain Failure - in the game now for over 20 years - bring their latest album to town for a night of oi oi oi old-school punk rock.
📍 Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm-late. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Bollywood @ Bar Rouge
Photograph: courtesy Bar Rouge
DJ Dee from Delhi drops in on The Bund to bring you the bouncing beats of Bollywood at Bar Rouge and 'a hot night of Indian clubbing experience' according to the official blurb.
📍 Bar Rouge, Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. 10pm-4am. 100RMB.
Love Bang: Culture Crash!
Photograph: courtesy organiser
A social experiment that probably won't happen again. Punk kids invade the dance club! Rave kids take over the punk show! Street cats take over the Tsui Wah! A lineup of bands, live acts, and DJs playing including Dirty Fingers, MIRRORS, Cruel Buddhist, Baijiu Robot!, Kin.J, VJ 陳吸吸 and more.
📍 Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 8.30pm-late. 80RMB. 50RMB (presale).
MoCA AfterHours: Slurp...Slurp
Image: courtesy MoCA
MoCA Shanghai presents three DJs spinning on three channels for a silent disco dance party, playing a diverse selection of soundscapes blending hip hop R&B, experimental electronic, and music from all around the world. Bring your friends, buy a drink, and choose the jams that make you melt into sweet jelly.
📍 Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA), 231 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu. 8-11pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Saymyname
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets
'Hard trap godfather', producer saymyname returns to Shanghai for a big night of big beats at Linx.
📍 Linx, First-Second Floors, 98 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Xizang Nan Lu. 11.30pm-late. 100RMB (early bird).
Shanghai Exam Trip
Photograph: courtesy DADA
DJs from Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang and beyond hit DADA as part of a mini summer tour. Expect a variety of music styles from Lanzhou's DJ Guz, Xi'an's DJ Fei, Xining's DJ Mouse and Martn*!mperia, Xinjiang's Ankar Arken, Yinchuan's DJE, and Zhengzhou's DJ Stu and DJ Aki.
📍 DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 10pm-late. Tickets tba.
Snap! Party Cruise
Photograph: courtesy John Fornander vis Unsplash
Snap!, Shanghai's queer party series, is getting on a boat for their latest event. Cruise with them along the Huangpu, watch the sunset and the skyscrapers go by as you drink and dance to summer beats from Heatwolves of Love Bang. After-party to follow at Azul Tapas Lounge all night.
📍 Shiliupu Marina (Dock 16), Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Longtan Lu. 3.30pm-2am. 200RMB.
Young Dragon Official Birthday Party
Photograph: courtesy Le Baron
With a top ten finish on The Rap of China 2018 LA and the world famous rap group Migos quoting his freestyle as 'too turnt', Young Dragon has been on the up and up over the last year. Celebrate his birthday in proper style at Le Baron.
📍 Le Baron, Seventh Floor, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. 10pm-4.30am. Free.
Space Out! hosted by Hippo TankPhotograph: courtesy Elevator
The Hippo Tank is a music and arts collective of New Zealand’s small but thriving and veteran avant-garde music scene. Since arriving in Shanghai in 2016, they have hosted New Zealand artists LVJ and Deer Park, as well as a series of music events featuring both local Chinese and international artists.
📍 Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 8-11pm. Free.Click below for more from Time Out Shanghai