5 Shanghai Music Festivals to Hit Up Over the May Holiday
By Erica Martin
That's takes a look at this festival-packed long weekend.
Apr 29 - 30: Crazy Lotus Experience
This very involved event organized by Rainbow Gao of The Mansion features two packed days of electronic music and communty events, including a pillow fight. The all-access festival pass gets you three free drinks and free entry to a slew of afterparties at several Shanghai nightclubs.
Highlights:
April 29:
China Beatbox Champion Zhang Ze
Taiwan artist Chiu Pi's experimental electronic music (he's also holding a Buddhism dance class)
https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=c03847dlgwa&width=500&height=375&auto=0
April 30:
French DJ Steo Le Panda... who performs dressed up as a panda (photo above)
German deep house DJ Peer Kusiv
Details: Apr 29-30, 1-11pm, presale: 240RMB per day, 380RMB for festival pass; door: 280RMB per day, 480RMB for festival pass. Cool Docks, 505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, by Maojiayuan Lu 中山南路505号，毛家园路
Apr 29 - May 1: Strawberry Music Festival
Though its Beijing counterpart was abruptly canceled last week, this annual festival by Beijing record label Modern Sky is on schedule for May holiday. Expect a diverse roster with a few big international names (like Charlie XCX) and a strong line-up of veteran Chinese festival performers, like Re-TROs and New Pants.
Highlights:
April 29:
UK post-punk band The Vaccines
American instrumental post-rockers Caspian
April 30:
Japanese hip-hop legend DJ Krush
https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=k01635mpt6t&width=500&height=375&auto=0
Beijing post-punk/electronic band Re-TROs (重塑雕像的权利)
May 1:
British pop star Charlie XCX
Beijing dance pop band New Pants (新裤子)
Details: Apr 29-May 1, 1-11pm, RMB380 per day, RMB780 for festival pass. Expo Park, 1700 Shibo Dadao 世博大道1700号
Apr 29 - May 1: Midi Festival Taihu
Okay, this may not be Shanghai, but close enough. After a fallow season last fall, this longstanding festival returns to Tai Lake with three days of music, camping and an onsite swimming pool. The line-up features a mix of Chinese and international bands that span the gamut of genres, including folk, rock, electronic music and a generous serving of metal.
Highlights:
April 29:
French post-rockers Totorro
https://v.qq.com/txp/iframe/player.html?vid=d03912w97oq&width=500&height=375&auto=0
Chinese metal band Twisted Machine (扭曲机器)
April 30:
American deathcore band Whitechapel
Folk singer ZhaoLei (赵雷)
May 1:
British power metal group Dragonforce
French electropop artist Lescop
Details: Apr 29-May 1, 1-11pm, presale: 150RMB per day, 400RMB for festival pass; door:180RMB per day, 450RMB for festival pass. Taihu Midi Park, Qiduzhen, Wujiang district 吴江区七都镇
Apr 30 - May 2: JZ Spring
Over 100 local and international jazz musicians converge in Jing’an for the first of JZ’s two annual music festivals. Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir, Giovanni Tommaso Trio and Peter Erskine Trio will perform at the Masters Concerts that take place each night at the Shanghai Centre Theatre, which are the only shows that have a cover charge. During the day, Jing'an Park and the surrounding areas will offer free concerts and activities by an eclectic mix of performers.
Highlights:
April 30:
Jazz vocalist Jade Lee
May 1:
Funk troupe Howhy
Giovanni Tommaso Trio
May 2:
Peter Erskine Trio (photo above)
Details: Apr 30-May 2, 10.30am-9.30pm, free entry (RMB180-280 for Masters Concerts). Various locations.
Apr 30 - May 1: Springwave Sunset Electronic Dance Music Festival
This festival from Taiwan returns to Shanghai for its second year, bringing with it a major push toward international superstar DJs. Several huge names in mainstream EDM, including Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki, will perform with all the usual EDM bells, whistles and glowsticks over the course of two days at Shanghai Shendi Ecology Park.
Highlights:
April 30:
Dmitiri Vegas & Like Mike (pictured above)
May 1:
Martin Garrix
Steve Aoki
Details: Apr 30-May 1, 2.30pm-late, presale: RMB580 per day, door: RMB780 per day. Shanghai Shendi Ecology Park, Lane 399, No.188 Shendi Dong Lu 申迪东路188号399弄
For more things to do in Shanghai over the May holiday, click "Read more" below.