10 great gigs to go to this week

While we all count down the days to the potential arrival of Babymetal in Shanghai, there are still plenty of local gigs going on to distract us. This week features a double helping of talented jazz guitarist Lawrence Ku's new project, some top China-bred punk on Friday, a bit of quality Shanghai-based post-rock and a Whale Circus. Oh, and there's the chap pictured up top here, Mr Benjamin Francis Leftwich.

WEDNESDAY 14

Tarra Conner Jones

Florida native Tarra Conner Jones has drawn comparisons to the likes of Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, knocking audiences off their feet with her varied repertoire of jazz and soul classics. Book a table early to avoid disappointment.

Heyday 50 Taian Lu, near Xinguo Lu. Wed 14. 9.30pm. Free.

Lawrence Ku Trio featuring Michael Ning

Guitarist/composer Lawrence Ku is one of the most influential jazz musicians and educators in China. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Lawrence has made China his home for over ten years. He has previously resided in Beijing, where he performed regularly and taught at the Midi School of Music and the Beijing Contemporary Music Institute.

JZ Club 158 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. Wed 14. 10pm. 100RMB.

THURSDAY 15

NOIShanghai LXXXII

Torturing Nurse returns with another night of noise, this time featuring Dee, LL from *LLND, Axiang and Clandestinoclan. As always, bring ear plugs and an open mind.

Chair Club 555 Haifang Lu, near Yuyao Lu. Thu 8. 9pm. 50RMB.

Lawrence Ku & Michael Ning & John Thomas

Can't make Lawrence Ku and co's Wednesday night show at JZ? No problem, catch them in the cosy confines of retro jazz lounge Heyday the very next day instead.

Heyday 50 Taian Lu, near Xingguo Lu. Thu 8. 9.30pm. 80RMB.

FRIDAY 16

Never Grow Up

Kunming punks Xi Er hit the Xujiahui basement with support from Shanghai's own Dirty Fingers and Ugly Girls. A top night of China-bred punk and riot grrrl rock - and all for free.

Harley's 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Bei Lu. Fri 16. 9.30pm. Free.

SATURDAY 17

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

Following his well-received set on the main stage at last year's Concrete and Grass Festival, British singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich returns to Shanghai to whet appetites for 2017's C&G outing in September.

Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Sat 17. 8.30pm. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).

Pia-no-Jac

Japanese keys and percussion duo - they combine piano and cajon, hence the name - bring their Cinema Pop Corn tour to town.

MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sat 17. 8.30pm. 180RMB; 160RMB (presale). 

Shanghai Funk Collective

Promising a 'night of live funk + a bit of DJing', the Shanghai Funk Collective combine live bass and horn with digital beats. Alan 'Beardslap' Smith does the beats, Giulio Perinello is on bass and Mike Ward brings the brass.

Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. Sat 17. 9pm. Free.

SUNDAY 18

Resonance 

Long-running post-rockers 21 Grams head up this showcase of quality local acts with Pixel Prism, Major 7, Appendix and Mo Fei also on the bill.

Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Sun 18. 8.30pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).

Whale Circus

Beijing-born independent musician, producer and sound designer Li Xingyu picked up the Abbey Road Award for Best World Music/Soft Music for his album Whale Circus Vol. 2, and now he's bringing those orchestral pop sounds to Shanghai.

Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. Sun18. 8pm. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).

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