8 Best Live Music Shows in Shanghai This Week

By Erica Martin

May 18: LMT Connection

American-Canadian funk and soul trio LMT Connection blend R&B, funk and jazz for a sound they describe as “universal soul.” The group comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Leroy Emmanuel, “Hard Hittin’” Mark Rogers and bass player “Big Bad” John Irvine, who has recorded with Deadmau5. Catch them at JZ Club.

May 18, 9.30pm-late, RMB100. JZ Club, 158 Julu Lu, by Ruijin Yi Lu 巨鹿路158号，近瑞金一路

May 18: Megaherz

Active since 1995, German industrial metal band Megaherz is known for their dark aesthetic and creepy, black-and-white clown makeup. They released their latest album, Querschnitt, last year. Check them out at Mao Livehouse.

May 18, 8.30pm, RMB280-600. MAO Livehouse, 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, by Jianguo Zhong Lu 重庆南路308号3楼，近建国中路

May 19: Years & Years

Fresh-faced electropop trio Years & Years have shot to superstardom in a very short time. Their single “King” reached the top of the UK Singles Chart and their debut album, Communion, was the fastest-selling record of 2015. Experience the band behind the hype as they make their China debut at Bandai Namco. 

May 19, 9pm, RMB320 presale, RMB400 door. Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, 179 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号，近江宁路

May 19: Shanghai Restoration Project + Zhang Le

The same night that Years & Years plays the main stage, Bandai Namco's Future House (the smaller room formerly called Q House) hosts Shanghai Restoration Project, a New York-based electronic music group founded by musician Dave Liang. For this tour in promotion of his new album, Life Elsewhere, he'll perform with jazz vocalist Zhang Le. 

May 19, 8.30pm, RMB120 presale, RMB150 door. Future House at Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, 179 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号，近江宁路

May 19: Cold Cave

Since he’ll already be in China thanks to a slot in Beijing’s much anticipated Douban Wetware Music Festival, Cold Cave will bring his dark, angsty synthpop to Shanghai. The moniker of LA singer and musician Wesley Eisold, Cold Cave is known for sounding like a modern version of celebrated ‘80s synthpop acts like Joy Division. 

May 19, 8.30pm, MAO Livehouse, 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, by Jianguo Zhong Lu 重庆南路308号3楼，近建国中路

May 20: Low

Split Works brings Minnesota-based band Low to Shanghai for a night of “subterranean pop with a spectral spark.” Active since 1993, they’ve released 12 albums and are known for their minimalist arrangements, dreamy aesthetic and the haunting vocal harmonies of founding members Parker and Sparhawk.

May 20, 8.30pm, RMB180 presale, RMB220 door. Future House at Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, 79 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号，近江宁路

May 21: High Tone

One of France’s leading dub bands since their formation in 1997, High Tone is known for performing live onstage with instruments rather than with electronic equipment. They’re touring China as part of an artist residency in Chengdu, where they’ll collaborate with Chinese musicians for their next album. 

May 21, 8.30pm, RMB100 presale, RMB120 door. MAO Livehouse, 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, by Jianguo Zhong Lu 重庆南路308号3楼，近建国中路

May 21: Clean Bandit

British band Clean Bandit first found fame in 2014 for their massive hit “Rather Be” with Jess Glynne, which won a Grammy Award for Best Dance  Recording. They’ve released several hit singles since, and are currently working on a second album of their unique classical-electronica hybrid sound.  

May 21, 9pm-late, RMB280 presale, RMB360 door. Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, 79 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号，近江宁路

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