The weekend's here again and it looks set to be a hot one. The hilarious Drew Fralick is performing Smooth Like Jazz at Kung Fu Komedy, Chengdu rappers Higher Brothers hit MAO Livehouse, hip-hop phenomenon Cakes Da Killa comes to ALL and trap producer AAZAR's China heads up Arkham. See below for our full list of weekend picks.
Friday 7
Cakes Da Killa
A 25-year-old rapper who has a raw intensity and has been described as ‘one of hip-hop’s most exciting new voices’. Worth more than just a mention on a queer hip-hop trend piece.
ALL 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
Asian Vibes pres. China Debut Series #15 - Headless Horseman
The modus operandi of this artist is dark, raw, and rhythmic IDM-flavoured techno. Hardware-only live sets at places like Berghain and Boiler Room Berlin have showcased the Horseman's skills as a producer and performer.
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 80RMB (presale); 100RMB before midnight; 120RMB after midnight (includes one free shot).
China Social Social Club - Bootleg T-Shirt Launch
Frau and PCJ will be spinning disco, breaks, house and giving trance a chance. T-shirts are 80RMB each – limited stock.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. 9pm. Free.
Chic’n’pop – DJ Simon Adams
A musical journey influenced by a myriad of genres, travelling from funk, house, soul, jazz and disco. DJ Simon Adams promises a fabulous set to captivate all audiences. Password COCO at the door until midnight.
UNÏCO Second Floor, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Guangdong Lu. 10.30pm. Free.
STIR Launch Party feat. ELVIS.T
30 years of tracks with swagger and soul ranging from funk to techno. Expect organic raw grooves and vinyl pressed for the dancefloor.
Elevator Fourth floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10.30pm. 60RMB.
Arena Rock
Rawkasaurus Rex perform covers of Aerosmith, Blondie, KISS and more.
The Pearl Theatre 471 Zhapu Lu, near Haining Lu. 9pm. 200RMB; 150RMB (presale).
Saturday 8
Drew Fralick: Smooth Like Jazz
Winner of the 2017 China International Comedy Festival and the 2015 Hong Kong International Comedy Competition, American stand-up Drew Fralick headlines Kung Fu Komedy. Support comes from Kent Kedl, Misha Kalhin and Mohammed Magdi, with Byron Murphy hosting.
Kung Fu Komedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Sat 8. 8.30pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Higher Brothers
Higher Brothers are blowing up right now. The Chengdu rappers are in the midst of a nationwide tour that's been selling out venues across the country in support of their new record Black Cab and their music – which covers topics such as WeChat and the beauty of 7-Eleven – has even been featured everywhere from Hypebeast to NPR.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. Sat 8. 8.30pm. 200RMB; 150RMB (presale).
SHFT. presents AAZAR
One of the leaders in France’s bass movement, Pardon My French Collaborator AAZAR is back. Get ready for the long awaited trappy bass show you been craving.
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 180RMB; 100RMB (presale).
Descpicable Me 3
Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist.
On general release at cinemas around Shanghai.
FIESTA
Choose your favourite tequila flavour and get ready for a muy buena Noche Latina topped by the beats of DJ Tuto. Free entry until midnight if you RSVP to events@mvpshanghai.com.
Bar Rouge 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing Dong Lu. 10pm. Free.
Little Wizard
It took Shaoxing-formed instrumental rockers Little Wizard seven years to get around to releasing their first proper album, but two years on from their debut LP they're back with a follow up, the straightforwardly-titled II.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 9.30pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Hardcore Brothers
Inferno hosts an alternative to Higher Brothers' MAO Livehouse show, with 'Hardcore Brothers' Death Teach Me Life, Monkeyshine, BeatGeneration 1980s and Evolution offering a heavier night of live music.
Inferno 658 Longhua Dong Lu, near Kaiping Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
Sunday 9
ING
Torturing Nurse, Axiang + Acid + Aming, *LLND, Dee and more perform at M50 as part of an experimental showcase at M50 gallery Ying Art Centre.
Ying Art Center 97 Moganshan Lu. 5pm. 60RMB.
Entangled in Duality
Hu Weiqi makes an attempt to unveil how deep of an imprint China's eye-catching and lightning-fast social, political and cultural transition has left on the mentalities, consciousness and beliefs of the country's people.
Art + Shanghai Gallery 191 Suzhou Nan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu. Until Jul 30. Free.
Midsummer
Qu Fengguo's new solo exhibition Midsummer, his third at Don Gallery, presents the paintings that belong to the series 'Four Seasons' composed between 2015 and 2017.
Don Gallery West Bund Building 302, 2879 Longteng Dadao. Until Jul 23. Free.
Body·Media II
Continuing the theme of 2007's Body Media exhibition, this new edition re-discusses the close ties between new media and body within the new era context totally revolutionised by advancing technologies.
Power Station of Art 200 Huayuangang Lu, near Miaojiang Lu. Until Jul 30. 20RMB.
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