You might have heard there are some festivals headed your way, including a little low-key affair called Ultra this weekend. That's true, but there are still a few options this week for those who like their live music in a proper gig venue – notably kicking off with the latest version of Hang on the Box on Thursday. Read on for our gig highlights for the week ahead.
Thursday 7
Hang on the Box Album Release
A slightly ramshackle all-female punk band, HotB were the buzzed about Chinese band of the late '90s. Since then there have been a number of iterations of the group led by frontwoman Gia Wang, but this latest version appears to be one of the better ones.
Modern Sky Lab Third Floor, Ruihong Tiandi, 188 Ruihong Lu. 8.30pm. 100RMB. 80RMB (presale).
Friday 8
Gemini Rock
Three Shanghai-based acts play a free show at Chair Club with psychedelic post-rockers Nerve Passenger, shoegazers Rubur and 'dark folk' outfit Galēən on the bill.
Chair Club Building 12, 555 Haifang Lu, near Yuyao Lu. 9.30pm. Free.
Steely Heart
Beijing-based synth-driven indie-rockers – who unfortunately don't have a lot to do with Steely Dan (otherwise it could've been a timely Walter Becker tribute) – celebrate ten years together.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Saturday 9
Jade Eyes
Taiwanese electronica trio Jade Eyes tout a new album, Addict, with Zooey Wonder in tow.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 8.30pm. 120RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Rachael Yamagata
American singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata brings her sultry, Cat Power-esque piano pop to town as part of her latest Asia tour.
Yamagata first broke onto the music scene with her critically acclaimed debut album Happenstance and since then her career's been punctuated by four albums, five EP releases and various collaborations with the likes of Ryan Adams, Bat for Lashes, Ray LaMontagne, and Jason Mraz.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 8.30pm. 320RMB; 260RMB (presale).
Coco Zhao
Accomplished, ever-popular and always entertaining jazz singer Coco Zhao returns to Heyday for a night with the Heyday Trio.
Heyday 50 Taian Lu, near Xingguo Lu. 9.30pm. 60RMB.
More from Time Out Shanghai
Ctrip estimates 650 million domestic travellers over Golden Week
Everything you need to know about this autumn's music fests