We've made it through to another weekend (not that we didn't expect to) and Shanghai is rewarding us as per. The multi-talented Ruby Rose is DJing at M2, the hilarious Zainab Johnson is doing three headline shows at KFK, Life in Color makes its China debut and Grammy-nominated producer Zhu is at Arkham. See below for our full list of weekend picks.
FRIDAY 11
KFK Presents: Zainab Johnson
Zainab Johnson, a stand-up comedian and actress, is quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen. Zainab’s comedy is based on her unique point-of-view, which was shaped growing up in Harlem as one of 13 siblings in a Muslim family.
Kung Fu Komedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Julu Lu. Fri 18 at 9pm; Sat 19 at 8pm and 10pm. 200RMB; 170RMB (presale).
Yunggie Ma
Menba minority artist Yunggiema peforms songs inspired by her ancestors, who traversed from Bhutan to southern Tibet 300 years ago, backed by minimal instrumentation as well as more modern beats.
Modern Sky Lab Third Floor, Ruihong Tiandi, 188 Ruihong Lu. 8.30pm. 120RMB (ground floor); 220RMB (ground and second floor pass).
The Fourth East Asia Shoegaze Festival
Japanese outfits The Taupe, Dive and (the brilliantly named) Cruyff In The Bedroom, join Taiwanese act U.Ta and locals Rubur and Tiny Enigma for a stacked night of top regional shoegaze.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 7pm. 200RMB.
For A Minor Reflection
Icelandic post-rockers kick off their China tour with a date at the venue formerly known as Qianshuiwan Creative Arts Centre.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu, near Jiangning Lu. 8.30pm. 160RMB; 120RMB (presale).
Infinity Mind Productions
Serial remix expert, producer and DJ Paco Buggin has warmed up the decks for the likes of Pete Tong and Roger Sánchez over the years. Here, he's joined by Pepe Mateos and Christian O'Connor, also of Flow Musique.
Celia 298 Xingfu Lu, near Pingwu Lu. Midnight. Free.
Playful Warrior Records Showcase
OVE and Pray For Awakening head up a night of Chinese metal from this local heavy music collective, with Fighting Back and Jiangxi's Forbidden Fruit also joining.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 9pm. 100RMB; 80RMB (presale).
The Fallen Souls
A strong quartet of local metal acts tear it up at Inferno, with OVE, The Naraka, Blackness and Prajna Seashore on the bill.
Inferno Unit 6-103, Ground Floor, 658 Longhua Dong Lu, near Kaiping Lu. 9pm. 40RMB (includes one drink).
MEDUSA
Not sure if this is a message to us about editing event listings or just an attempt to stand out in the thick fog of Shanghai nightlife propaganda, but here's how the description for this night was entered into our system:
'SUMMER SWEAT DANCEFLOOR DIVAS DIONYSIAN DIVERSIONS DELIGHTFUL DEVIANCE STRICTLY PUMPING RHYTHMS ECSTATIC EXPLORING POLYSEXUAL FIREWORKS BODY JACKING DARK CORNER ROMANCE IDENTITY MELTDOWNS CAN YOU WORKKK WITH THAT?'
Sure, we can work with that.
Elevator Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10pm. 50RMB.
SCC: Stand-up Comedy Showcase
The Shanghai Comedy Club's Friday night showcase hits Cages, featuring Barney Rivera, Colin Hanna, Shay Bisset, Gene George, Paul Yao, Kurt Dunsing and Erin FM. Admission includes one drink.
Cages Bar and Sports Third Floor, Jing'an Sports Centre, 428 Jiangning Lu, near Wuding Lu. 9pm. 70RMB.
SATURDAY 12
Ruby Rose
Australian actress, model and DJ Ruby Rose (Orange is the New Black, John Wick 2) arrives in Shanghai to show off her penchant for using bootleg recordings and mashups.
M2 Fourth Floor, Hong Kong Plaza, 283 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu. 10pm. 480RMB.
RP Boo
The godfather of footwork returns to Shanghai for what will be one of the happiest sets of the month. RP Boo always plays with a massive grin on his face and his enthusiasm is genuinely infectious.
ALL Second Floor, 17 Xiangyang Bei Lu, near Changle Lu. 10pm. 100RMB.
Zhu
Grammy-nominated Californian producer behind dancefloor-friendly hits such as ‘Faded’ and ‘In the Morning’ plays his first-ever show in China, bringing his bouncy, breezy beats to Found 158.
Arkham Found 158, 168 Julu Lu, near Chengdu Nan Lu. 10pm. 350RMB; 300RMB (presale).
China Social Club - Three Years of Parties
The China Social Club, Aussie Social Club pairing of PCJ and Frau are three years old. To celebrate they're throwing a big do at their CSC HQ, Smash. Go and join the old mates as they pop a cork to three long years of good times.
Smash 685 Dingxi Lu, near Niuqiao Lu. 9pm. Free.
Future of the LEFT Showcase
Three of our favourite bands in town - Mirrors, Foster Parents and Lao Ayi - are joined by Hangzhou's Qie for an night of excellent China-based psych-rock, math-rock, post-punk and more.
Yuyintang 851 Kaixuan Lu, near Yanan Xi Lu. 8.30pm. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).
Life in Color
Life in Color – think paint-party-meets-music-festival – started amongst a few college friends at Florida State University back in 2006. It has since grown to become 'the world's largest paint party' and it's Shanghai's turn to get colourful this weekend as the festival makes its China debut.
National Exhibition and Convention Center 333 Song Ze Da Dao,168 Yinggang Dong Lu. 2.30PM. 399RMB.
Bai Yu Album Release
Shanghai-based folk singer-songwriter Bai Yu releases his fourth album, Beautiful New World. The venue is Wutong Bookshop, which you'll find on the third floor of the Huabao Building.
Wutong Bookshop Huabao Building, 265 Fangbang Zhong Lu, Sanpailou Lu. 7.30pm. 70RMB; 50RMB (presale).
Goose Island BooshKaBaash Festival Offical Pre-Party
BooshKaBaash is back for 2017, once again taking over a stage beside the pavement outside of Shanghai Centre with a host of locally-based performers. In the run up to the actual festival later in the month, they're doing a series of warm-up shows. The final pre-show sees party band Studio 188 hitting the stage.
Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu. 5pm. Free.
Pu Shu
Chinese pop-rocker Pu Shu has become a huge star in recent years, headlining festivals and now touring arenas. This show is a rearranged date and the final details are still yet to be announced (even the date may still be subject to change), but expect tickets to go fast for this one when they do go on sale.
Mercedez-Benz Arena 1200 Expo Avenue, near Gaoke Xi Lu. 7.30pm. Price tba.
Room 303
This monthly session hosted by MIIIA and dedicated to 'outer space tripping, acid bassline illusions, losing control and the techno that takes us there' hosts Asian Vibes' Yoshinaga, VOID's Provoda and Veta's Ginga.
Elevator Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 10pm. 50RMB.
Techno Train presents Rada Noize
Celia's regular Techno Train night brings in special guest Rada Noize. The Ukranian DJ will be joined by Shanghai-based Moldovan techno head Lina K.
Celia 298 Xingfu Lu, near Pingwu Lu. Midnight. 100RMB (includes one drink).
When Cakes Meet Wines
BottlesXO pairs up with Pâte patisserie for a night of fine wine paired with gourmet desserts. Join them on Saturday 19 August for what's sure to be the sweetest of boozy evenings.
Pâte Room E107, SOHO Fuxing Plaza, 462 Hefei Lu, near Madang Lu. 6.30pm. 120RMB for BottlesXO users; 150RMB regular.
SUNDAY 13
Time Out Screenings: Still Life
Time Out Shanghai shows one of the greatest Chinese films of all time in Glam, M on the Bund, with complimentary gourmet popcorn and specially tailored drinks. This month it's director Jia Zhangke’s critically acclaimed Still Life.
Glam Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. 4.15pm. Free.
The Life Journey
Chinese pop-rock outfit with a big following The Life Journey bring their latest tour – entitled Always There – to Shanghai.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu. 8.30pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).
Space Out! hosted by Endy
Daily Vinyl and Groove Bunny co-founder Endy Chen drops in to the Sunday chill out session at Elevator.
Elevator Fourth Floor, 218 Xinle Lu, near Fumin Lu. 5pm. Free.