The best parties and live music in Shanghai this week
Photograph: courtesy Split Works (The Jillionaire)
Don't know about you, but we are very ready for the return of Concrete & Grass this weekend. Just feeling in need of some good live music out on the grass (and concrete, we guess), y'know? But hey, they're not the only live music game in town this weekend – far from it. Here's our run-down...
Thursday 13
Photograph: courtesy organiser (阿克江)
Bedroom: 阿克江 / VISUDY
The fantastic duo of Xinjiang R&B singer Akin and producer Visudy combine at Elevator, with Kin J and Bedroom resident H2Ø2 also on the bill, along with VJ Yerson, who also hails from Xinjiang.
📍Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. Thu 13. 10pm-3am. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Girls Night Out Sixth Anniversary
It's the big one people. Six years of Girls Night Out huh? Oh yes. What can we expect? The good people at Bar Rouge say the Bund-side bar will be transformed into 'a glamorous boudoir where male models will be welcoming ladies with roses and candies'. Eek. Guessing there'll also be some Champagne involved. And giveaways, gotta have some giveaways. Luxury giveaways in fact. Well well.
📍Bar Rouge, Seventh Floor, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. Thu 13. 9.30pm-4am. Free.
DJ TOY
Formerly NYC-based DJ – and close collaborator of rapper Bohan Phoenix – who recently relocated to Shanghai, DJ Toy spins hip hop and more at ASL.
📍ASL, First Floor, 88 Tongren Lu, near Yanan Zhong Lu. Thu 13. 10pm-late. Entry tba.
Mild High Club
LA-based psych-jazz stoner-ish band Mild High Club will be making its live debut in Shanghai. Led by Alex Brettin, a former tour-mate of Mac DeMarco, this tour will feature their new album Skiptracing which 'strikes a balance between the known and unknown aspects of art and creation'.
📍Yuyintang Park, 1398 Yuyuan Lu, near Dingxi Lu. Thu 13. 9pm-late. 180RMB; 140RMB (presale).
Friday 14
Photograph: courtesy Rachel Gouk (Shanghellfest)
Else
Electronic music duo Else push the button at new club Nuke. The Toulouse pair have 'shared the stage' with the likes of Etienne de Crécy, Møme, and Cherokee, it says in the press release.
📍NUKE, 168 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu. Fri 14. 10pm-Midnight. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). Extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Panic Worm
One of the best shows at Harley's in a while, but incredibly still free entry. Panic Worm are a Wuhan-based post-punk band who are touring their new album, Elusive Magic.
📍Harley's Underground, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Bei Lu. Fri 14. 9pm-late. Free.
Shanghellfest 2018
Shanghai-based rock outfit Round Eye join what's previously been a mostly metal affair as Shanghellfest hits YYT for 2018. Thrash act Skull Crusher, doom purveyors Alpaca, and metal core band Many Faced God are joined by stoner sludgers Shanghai Hell Brewery and rockers Beholder for a night backed by Shanghai Tattoo.
📍Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Fri 14. 8pm-late. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Stallion Music Festival: Yat-Kha
Stallion Era is putting on three days of Tuvan music, kicking off with Yat-Kha who blend traditional Tuvan elements such as throat-singing with contemporary rock 'n' roll.
📍1862 Theatre, 1777 Binjiang Dadao, near Yincheng Lu. Fri 14. 7.30-9.30pm. 180-580RMB. Extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Saturday 15
Photograph: courtesy Split Works (Concrete & Grass)
Pervert & Sodoma Party
Yeah, this is still a thing. Whips, leather, black PVC, drinks, models, bros. Need we go on?
📍M1NT, Floor 24, 318 Fuzhou Lu, near Shandong Zhong Lu. Sat 15. 10pm-4am. 100RMB; Free (before 12.30am).
The Yurt x Elevator Stage+ After Party
Team Elevator is helping host some top talents at Concrete Grass' yurt once again this year, then heading back to their residence on Xinle Lu for some high octane afterparty goodness. Secret guests are promised...
📍Elevator, Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. Sat 15. 10pm-5am. 80RMB; 40RMB (with festival pass). Sun 16. 10pm-5am. 50RMB; free (with festival pass).
Hitobashira Album Release
Still recovering from Shanghellfest? Tough. There's no rest for the wicked as locally-based metal outfit Hitobashira unleash their new record at YYT. The support bill is an eclectic one, with punk act Dirty Fingers and hip hoppers Skinny OG and Queen Diamond joined by relatively closer genre-wise acts Ogenix and Many Faced God. Entry includes a copy of the album.
📍Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. Sat 15. 8.30pm-late. 80RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Stallion Music Festival: Sainkho Kosmos
Night two for Stallion Music Festival presents Sainkho Namtchylak, who was born in the Tuvan region and is known for her practising of traditional Tuvan throat-singing. She mixes this with modern jazz and electronic elements.
📍1862 Theatre, 1777 Binjiang Dadao, near Yincheng Lu. Sat 15. 7.30-9.30pm. 180-580RMB. Extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Concrete & Grass Festival 2018
Daddy Yankee, Slowdive, ST.OL.EN, Jillionaire, Oneohtrix Point Never, and lots lots more are on board for the Grass '18, a festival that strives for a creative, family-friendly atmosphere and comes with some of the best food options you can ask for from this type of event in China.
📍Shanghai Rugby Football Club, 2700 Zhangyang Bei Lu, near Wuzhou Dadao, Pudong. Sat 15-Sun 16. 1-10pm. 460RMB (one-day pass); 780RMB (two-day pass). Extract the QR code to buy tickets.
World Music Shanghai
World Music Shanghai is back and will feature new and traditional ethnic music from all over the world. Artists such as American blues harmonica man Sugar Blue, pop star Ding Dang and art-rock act Hai Qing will be performing at various venues across the city, including Shanghai Grand Stage, Xintiandi and Hongqiao Tiandi.
📍Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Bei Lu, near Tianyaoqiao Lu. Sat 15-Sun 23. Midday-Midnight. Various prices.
Sunday 16
Photograph: courtesy organiser (Francis Inferno Orchestra)
Alter. Rooftop Party ft Francis Inferno Orchestra
Alter. are back with a rooftop party on the seventh floor of Bund 8 headed up by Melbourne producer Francis Inferno Orchestra and with support from Shanghai-based Australian transplants China Social Club, plus Tom Price. Expect a cocktail of wonky disco, a touch of house, and a splash of good ...
📍Seventh Floor, Bund 8, 8 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Yanan Dong Lu. Sun 16. 2pm-late. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). Tickets include one drink.
Stallion Music Festival: Huun Huur Tu
Rounding off Stallion's Tuvan extravaganza are one of the region's best known bands, who have worked with Frank Zappa, The Chieftains and The Kronos Quartet.
📍1862 Theatre, 1777 Binjiang Dadao, near Yincheng Lu. Sun 16. 7.30-9.30pm. 180-580RMB. Extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Mystical Union
There are few more atmospheric places in this city to watch music performances than the grounds of Yongfoo Elite. On Sunday, they're hosting traditional Indian musicians Debasmita, Shikhar, and Rishabh Dhar, plus pipa and guzheng player Zhang Yi. Entry includes one drink and one snack.
📍Yongfu Elite, 200 Yongfu Lu, near Hunan Lu. Sun 16. 7pm-late. 180RMB; 150RMB (presale).