The best parties and live music in Shanghai this week
Photograph: courtesy organiser (Angus & Julia Stone)
The Shanghai scene is hot this week (literally). The dreamy Australian duo, Angus & Julia Stone are in town bringing the sun-tinged indie rock that's more than appropriate given this week's overdue heatwave. Shanghai mainstay, Elevator, has been resurrected down on Nandan Dong Lu and opens its doors for a two-day dance floor trial, starting Friday. Britain's punk-rap miscreant Rat Boy will be at MAO Livehouse and China Social Club is turning five. Here are our top picks:
Fri 24
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (Mowmow Lulu Gyaban)
Mowmow Lulu Gyaban
Mowmow Lulu Gyaban is a three-piece alternative pop band from Kyoto inspired by the flowery ethos of the ‘70s. The band officially started in 2005, but dates back to 2001 (some musical chairs went down). Its sound is chaotic, but undoubtedly optimistic.
📍Yuyintang Park, B1, 1398 Yuyuan Lu, near Dingxi Lu. 8.30-10.30pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Eating Music Label Showcase feat Delf
Sound engineer Delf is part of a new generation of music producers from Hong Kong. His early exposure to classical piano catalysed an interest in hip hop music and production. Delf churns out textured urban beats with chemical effects, and will bring his brand new Beats Live Set to Yona as the guest artist, with support from local heroes Ceezy, Cruel Buddhist and DJ ollo-MAM.
📍Yona Cafe, 116 Nantangbang Lu, near Dapu Lu. 9pm-late. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Elevator New Home Dance Floor Testing
What we've all been waiting for: Elevator 2.0. It's breaking in the dance floor at its new location this weekend. All the residents will be out, including MIIA, Mau Mau, MEDUSA, Diamond Lil and more.
📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu. 10pm-late. 80RMB (after 11pm); 50RMB (before 11pm).
Sat 25
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (Rat Boy China Tour 2019)
Rat Boy China Tour 2019
Taking inspiration from artists like Jamie T, Blur and The Streets, Essex native Jordan Cardy (Rat Boy), paints a hyperreal version of working-class life in contemporary Britain. His skewed, titular verse gained him entry to BBC's Sound of 2016 longlist and MTV's Brand New shortlist that same year.
📍MAO Livehouse, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 9pm-late. 180RMB.
China Social Club's Fifth Birthday
PCJ and Frau, the Aussies behind China Social Club, will be sharing their love for left-field disco, groovy deep house, techno and more for an all-night five-year birthday party, with a seafaring theme. They'll be joined by Chinese-Canadian techno-goddess MIIA, and Knopha, a Xiamen-based, Cantonese producer/co-founder of the events label, Beatween.
📍DADA, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 9pm-late. Free entry.
Soundtrack Smash!
From Purple Rain and Pulp Fiction to Black Panther and 50 Shades of Grey, SHAKE's six-piece band and singer Courtney Knott smash together tracks from some of the greatest soundtracks of all time at this concert and dance party. Lion King next to Kill Bill? Yes please. Plus, the music of Cab Calloway, Chuck Berry, The Weeknd, SZA and more.
📍Shake, Third Floor, 46 Maoming Nan Lu, near Jinxian Lu. 10pm-2am. 100RMB.
Sun 26
Photograph: courtesy 247tickets (Angus & Julia Stone)
Angus & Julia Stone
Sydney siblings Angus and Julia Stone found their alt-folk destiny plucking on guitars as backpacking teens. His poppy croak and her dark, baby-doll whimsy made a winning combination on the 2006 festival circuit. Their first album, A Book Like This, hit the ARIA Top 10 and was followed by a string of rustic and fragile EPs. This is the duo's first appearance in China.
📍Modern Sky Lab, Third Floor, Ruihong Tiandi, 188 Ruihong Lu, near Hongguan Lu. 8.30-10.30pm. 480 RMB; 420RMB (presale); 800RMB (two tickets, presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.
Wax Out!
The Melting Pot is a boutique vinyl record shop, lifestyle space and music label that brings together sounds from all genres alongside its foundations of funk, soul, hip hop and R&B. Grab a drink and hang out with the owner Chao at the spot's casual monthly gathering for vinyl lovers citywide. Turntables will be available for use. Music exchange is encouraged.
📍288 Melting Pot, 288 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu. 2-7pm. Free entry.