Before we get down to the business of our main music picks for this week, there are a couple of strong release shows coming up that we think are particularly worth highlighting: Shanghai's own Scorpion Prisoner 69 are putting out an EP at YYT on Friday with heavy support from Spill Your Guts, Alpaca and Dirty Fingers; and one of China's best bands, Beijing's Chui Wan roll into town on Saturday with a brilliant new psychedelic rock album to plug.
But as always, there's lots more going on too; read on for our gig highlights for the week.
Thursday 31
Backspace
Beijing-based jangly indie-rock act Backspace hit town having just recorded with PK14's Yang Haisong. One of our favourite Shanghai bands, Dream Can, are in support along with Nonplus of Color leader Heimu.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm. 60RMB.
Friday 1
The Royal Concept
Big in Japan - they've been selling out some large Tokyo venues recently - Swedish pop quartet The Royal Concept test the waters in China with a show at MAO Livehouse. It's good times, sunshine-filled electronic accented pop-rock.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 8.30pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).
Scorpion Prisoner 69 EP Release Show
Shanghai-based heavy music trio Scorpion Prisoner 69 release their EP《四部复仇曲》at Yuyintang with support from Spill Your Guts, Dirty Fingers and Alpaca. Expect a night of punk, heavy rock, metal and more.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm. 50RMB.
Saturday 2
Chui Wan
Psychedelic rock act Chui Wan have established themselves as one of the best bands coming out of the capital in recent years, and their new material only serves to cement this reputation. They hit Shanghai in support of their new album – don't miss.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Unity Festival
RnB diva Tinashe and pop-soul gentleman Ne-Yo are the surprise headliners at this Expo Park-based festival, which also supposedly features A-Lin, Khalil Fong and an EDM stage. If you're just thinking of stopping by for the western acts, Tinashe will perform at 8.30pm on the Saturday and Ne-Yo will be on at the same time on Sunday.
Expo Garden Park Shibo Avenue, near Zhoujiadu Lu. Sat 2-Sun 3. 1pm. 480RMB per day; 800RMB for both days.
Nachtblut
German black metal outfit Nachtblut come to Shanghai as part of a four date China tour.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 9pm. 280RMB; 220RMB (presale).