Top 12 live music and nightlife events this weekend
The Chemical Brothers
There's a storm coming. And though we probably trot out that line every year when a certain big Budweiser-backed EDM festival rolls into town (sorry), this year there's more of a literal ring to it with rain forecast all weekend. The BREW even cancelled their beer fest because of it.
Also, this year's Zhujiajiao Water Village Music Festival is worth a look for those who are more interested in world music than big beat EDM. It's an intriguing line-up and could make for a nice weekend out of the city centre – if the weather plays along, of course.
Read on for our full selection of nightlife and live music.
Friday 22
VOID 10 Years: Bintus
Shanghai techno crew VOID's 10 year anniversary series continues with British producer and Power Vacuum founder Bintus. Real name Milo Smee, he's also released tracks under the wonderful monikers of Kruton and Binary Chaffinch. Hard, no-nonsense techno is the name of the game here, with familiar (if sometimes hidden) faces from Team VOID in support.
ALL 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 80RMB.
N.B.S and Jackson Turner
Boston-based hip hop duo N.B.S. join forces with New York rapper Jackson Turner. They'll be joined by DJ B-Kut and Foundation affiliated artists such as Tone Perignon, Superstar and JayEsGee. Rap, trap, boom bap and more are on the menu.
The Pearl 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Zhujiajiao Water Village Music Festival
This year’s series of live shows taking place around the water town of Zhujiajiao features 16 artists on two stages, including fantastic future rock/electronica act Duck Fight Goose, Japanese folk-meets-electronica outfit Oki Dub Ainu Band, Israeli handpan artist Liron Man and Mongolian folk act Rid.
Zhujiajiao Kezhi Garden 109 Xijing Jie. Fri 22-Sun 24. Midday. 100RMB.
Mixmash Label Night: Laidback Luke, Krosses + Unity
Dutch producer Laidback Luke – in town for the International Music Summit (an EDM industry chit chat thing put on by Storm's organisers) – throws a night for his Mixmash imprint with Krosses and China-based producer Unity on the bill.
M2 Fourth Floor, Hong Kong Plaza, 283 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu. 10pm. Entry tba.
Saturday 23
Storm Festival
A Budweiser-backed, Shanghai-born and raised EDM event with a penchant for extra-terrestrial narratives. The line-up features basically any big name EDM star who wasn’t hoovered up by Ultra, with KYGO, Marshmello, UZ, Axwell Ingresso, Mija and Laidback Luke all on the bill. Also, it's got The Chemical Brothers making their Mainland China debut.
Shanghai International Music Village No 188, Lane 399, Shendi Dong Lu. Sat 23- Sun 24. 880RMB (two-day pass), 480RMB (per day), 880RMB (VIP per day). Long press and extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Swimful: Dove Release Party
One of Shanghai's finest beatmakers unveils his newest record for SVBKVLT as Swimful presents Dove at ALL. Letto, Mordecai and Von Bueno provide support.
ALL 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. Entry tba.
DJ Okapi
Founder of the excellent Afro-Synth blog, which digs into the country’s forgotten era of late ’80s and early ’90s bubblegum disco-funk and house-laced kwaito grooves, South Africa's DJ Okapi is coming to Shanghai to play an all-vinyl set at DADA.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 10pm. Entry tba.
Medusa Glitterball: 1 Year of Fierce
Elevator's night dedicated to 'pansexual realness' turns one year old with a glitter-powered night of boundary blurring and dancefloor-friendly tunes.
Elevator Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10pm. 50RMB.
Sunday 24
Against The Current
American trio Against The Current – whose music is firmly going with the current of safe pop-rock – make their Shanghai debut as part of their In Our Bones world tour.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. 8pm. 280RMB. Long press and extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Battle Beast
Helsinki hell-raisers Battle Beast bring their power metal to Shanghai for what ought to be an intense night of heavy music in the confines of Yuyintang. Los Crasher provide support, Painkiller are on promo duty.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 8pm. 150RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Daily Vinyl 3rd Anniversary
Celebrate three years of record obsessives Daily Vinyl with Pete Chen, Endy, Sophia, DJ Fake, Mau Mau, Ollo-Man, Soundzimage, B-Side, Bobby and Longlong. There'll also be a record market, poster exhibition, a special vinyl release and lots more good stuff.
Both Boutique and Music 301-302, 546 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu. 2pm. Free.
Voltage Divider x The Hippo Tank
Faded Ghost, Gooooose, Hyph11e, one half of Peng Zhuang, LoN, SoundSpade and more combine for an atmospheric Sunday show at ALL featuring drones, electronic wizardry and challenging, fascinating out-there sounds.
ALL 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 60RMB.