The best parties and live music in Shanghai this week

Photograph: courtesy Elevator (MEDUSA: Pride Is...)

Elevator is leaving Pride under a fermata for just one more evening of earth-shattering dance music this Saturday. Between that glitter downpour, we've got a drum and bass standoff at DADA and two experimental live sets from some members of the Beijing electro-rock outfit, Duck Fight Goose. There's some civil disobedience going down at LOFAS resembling a yin-yang of Chinese punk and Krautrock. Here are our top picks.

Friday 5

Photograph: courtesy DADA Shanghai (POPASUDA)

Mighty!

Tina Turnatrick (AKA incomparable Anita) is cycling through some mighty music on the dance floor. Get ready for funk, soul, rock and electronica.

📍Specters, Bldg D, 753 Yuyuan Lu, near Zhenning Lu. 8pm-late. Free entry.

POPASUDA

POPASUDA is back at DADA, including an eight-hour global set from Skinny Brown that will excavate the sonic nooks and crannies of Africa, South America, India, China and the Caribbean. Expect filthy dancehall, Ugandan techno and some polyrhythmic bustle/menacing synths straight from the streets of Durban.

📍DADA Shanghai, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 9pm-late. Free entry.

Saturday 6

Photograph: courtesy ALL Club (All pres 33EMYBW and Gooooose)

Come As You Are: Gig Party

Beijing's four-person punk band The BedStars is headlining a showcase of exclusively Chinese musicians down at LOFAS. Its chaotic musical style and nostalgic ‘70s melodies are a good complement to drinking on a sticky summer night. The Shanghai girl band DreamCan will be adding some drone-heavy, introspective rock and roll to the mix.

📍LOFAS, B1-09, 230 Ruiping Lu, near Kaibin Lu. 8.30pm-late. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale). Extract the QR code above to purchase tickets.

MEDUSA: Pride Is...

To close down ShanghaiPRIDE for the year, Michael Cignarale and Mau Mau get back together for an all-night set exploring the inner and outer depths of soul. The duo will be serving only the fiercest house, tribal and late-night disco sleaze.

📍Elevator, B1, 265 Nandan Dong Lu, near Caoxi Lu. 10pm-late. Free entry.

All pres 33EMYBW and Gooooose

In 2015, 33EMYBW released her first solo single 'EMSYGYDL' on SVBKVLT's ‘Downpour’ compilation, and in 2017 released her debut album Medusa on Beijing’s DForce Records. Gooooose is the side project of Han Han, the front man of Duck Fight Goose, one of China’s most well-known experimental-rock/electronica bands. His multi-instrumental approach to making music takes the form of ambient soundscapes, heavily synthesised textures and blissfully syncopated rhythms.

📍ALL Club, Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm-4.30am. 80RMB.

Spanish Town

Spanish Town's summer series unites Nice and Catchoumi of France, alongside the OG Spanish crew: Poltxa, Ivan Barbero, Marcos Godoy and the newly indoctrinated Pilas. After two months of productions and new tunes, they are back with a solid wave of tech house and minimal tech. These five guys have logged more than 50 years in the music scene and across Europe. Expect a barrage of percussive tracks designed to keep the mind awake and the body dancing.

📍Celia, 298 Xingfu Lu, near Pingwu Lu. Midnight-9am. 100RMB. Tickets include one drink with entry after 2am.

Wonky Kong vs Sweatshop D&B

The annual Sweatshop tradition returns to DADA. For the ninth year running, Siesta dusts off the old vinyl and plays all the hits from the past with the Sweatshop collective and friends. This time she's playing a two-hour retrospective set – the best of drum’n’bass/jungle spanning the last two decades. On the supporting reel: Wonky Kong’s Blanca, and dnb all-stars Fractale, Resinate and Rous.

📍DADA Shanghai, 115 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu. 9pm-4am. Free entry.

'90s Throwback Skate Party

RIINK is having a Throwback Saturday Skate Party this weekend with DJ Fat K on the deck pumping ‘90s R&B and pop (think Backstreet Boys, Britney and more). There will also be a special deal including skates and a drink for only 100RMB. Use the secret code 'keep it wheel' for a free shot. The party starts at 8pm and the bar and kitchen will be open from 6pm till late.

📍RIINK, Unit 6-103, No 1, Bund Square, 658 Dapuqiao Lu, near Longhua Dong Lu. 8pm-2am. Free entry.

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