The best parties and live music in Shanghai this week
Photograph: courtesy 44KW
It's Valentine's Day weekend and whether you're coupled up or are flying solo, there's a stack of parties and events going on to keep the love growin' and flowin'. Shake is bringing us back to the days of 'My Boo' with some steamy '90s R&B. Aussie's GLADES and Andy Hart are here to keep things light and airy. And for the cynics out there, Le Royal Meridian’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party is a safe space to dance on your own (cue Robin).
Friday 15
Photograph: courtesy organiser (XIA World Music Showcase)
Plastic. Vol 2: My Bloody Valentine
Dateless for V Day? Queer cultural platform Plastic. is hosting a party at 10 Corso Como where everyone gets a My Bloody Valentine sticker on the door. It's up to you to stick it on whoever you fancy – the person who gets the most stickers at the end of the night gets a free bottle of Champagne. Games aside, there'll be 'hot beefy cupids' serving up a Valentine's cocktail and R&B beats and signature pop (including some new Ariana) to get everyone in the mood to mingle. Follow WeChat ID 'plasticsh' to get 50 percent off entry.
📍10 Corso Como, Wheelock Square, 1717 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu. Fri 15, 10pm-3am, 100RMB.
XIA World Music Showcase
Tarwa n Ayur in ancient Berber means ‘children of the moon’, the inspiration behind the gypsy collective of the same name. Consisting of guitarists and singers Sarah Mou and Ismail Moussali, as well as percussionist and singer Sasha, these three free-spirited musicians will deliver a live afro desert fusion set with support from Arno D & Johannes, Aktüman and Kodama.
📍DADA Shanghai, 115 Xingfu Road, near Huashan Lu. Fri 15, 9pm-late, Free.
Barbarism Vol. 12
Expect dancefloor-filling and boundary-pushing new hip hop, forgotten classics, familiar vocals in strange new contexts, and songs you never knew you needed during this monthly club night for civilised barbarians (it's not suitable for viewers under 18). Dress sharp and head down before midnight or get yourself on the guest list for the best chance of getting past the prickly door staff.
📍Le Baron, Seventh Floor, 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Zhong Lu. Fri 15, 10pm-5am, Free.
Elevator In Love
Put your phone on flight mode, Elevator Pig Love Airlines is about to depart. Local DJs Jiafeng, HYPH11E, MEDUSA, Swimful and ollo-MAM are ready to pilot you through any turbulence you may experience this V Day.
📍XSPACE, Third Floor, 77 Jiangning Lu, near Fengxian Lu. Fri 15, 11pm-5am, 60RMB (early bird); 80RMB (presale); 100RMB door.
Saturday 16
Photograph: courtesy organiser (GLADES)
Alter. presesnts Andy Hart
For its first boogie of the year, Alter. invites Australian Andy Hart to the decks at 44KW. Former member of Melbourne Deepcast, and one-third of the collective Wax'o Paradiso, Hart has been an influential part of Melbourne's golden age of house music, now five years running. His sets cruise smooth soul and funk, bright disco and classic '90s house. Let’s dance, shall we? Entry includes a shot.
📍44KW, Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, near Ruijin Yi Lu. Sat 16, 10pm-4am, 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
GLADES
Sydney trio Glades make electro-pop of the reflective, atmospheric kind. They love a good power-ballad in the vein of Chvrches, Broods, and Troye Sivan (who endorsed them after they covered his song 'Fools' in 2015). Having finished recording in the U.S, they will be playing Yuyintang in support of their debut album TO LOVE YOU, which includes breakout single 'Drive' and more recent singles 'Do Right', 'Not About You' and 'Eyes Wide Shut'.
📍Yuyintang Livehouse (Zhongshan Park), 1398 Yuyuan Lu, near Changning Lu. Sat 16, 8.30-10.30pm. 150RMB; 120 (presale). Extract the QR code to buy tickets.