The weekend has rolled around once more and it's another cracker. Crystal Castles, Megadeth, and The Notwist are just three of the great bands coming to town, while the nightlife scene is set to be blessed by the likes of Oliver Heldens, DJ Marky, and A$AP Mob’s Cozy Boys. Elsewhere, Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide are at Jiangwan Stadium for a historic AFL match and stand-up comedian Wali Collins is back for three shows as part of his China tour.
FRIDAY
Megadeth
Thrash legends Megadeth return to China following their 2015 appearance at Shanghai Grand Stage. They're here in support of last year's Dystopia album which garnered them their best reviews in years and led to the band picking up their first ever Grammy.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. May 12. 8.30pm. 980RMB.
DJ Marky
DJ Marky is known as one of the key figures behind the UK’s drum ‘n’ bass revival of the 2000s. He’s now label head of his own Innerground Records and is revered as one of the best technicians in DnB. After a storming set back in 2013 he’s brought to DADA courtesy of Antidote and Wonky Kong.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. May 12. 10pm. 100RMB.
Arkham returns: S.T.D. x YETI present Cozy Boys
Arkham returns to Shanghai’s nightlife scene at its new Found 158 location. In-house promoters S.T.D. and YETI join forces to bring A$AP Mob’s Cozy Boys, the duo comprised of A$AP J.Scott [aka A$AP Snacks] and A$AP Lou, for their Shanghai return. They work as A$AP Rocky/A$AP Mob official DJs. Expect bathrobes, slippers on stage and other coziness alongside the trap and hip hop.
Arkham 168 Julu Lu. May 12. 10pm. 150RMB.
The Notwist
Best known for their album Neon Golden - which celebrates its 15th birthday this year - Sub Pop-signed German indie-rockers The Notwist hit Shanghai as part of a four-city tour through promoters New Noise.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu. May 12. 9pm. 150RMB; 120RMB (presale).
Oliver Heldens
Oliver Heldens is one of the most prolific and successful producers around, he is also a resolute perfectionist. Working tirelessly in his studio to craft new sounds and directions at every available opportunity, he’s a truly dedicated artist who refuses to cut corners.
M2 283 Huaihai Zhong Lu. May 12. 10pm. 200RMB. Long press and extract the QR code to buy tickets.
Gregor Salto at Unico
Latin House artist and versatile DJ Gregor Salto explores the genres of pop, soul, African and world beat. He’s also shared a Grammy award with Pitbull. He brings his tropical Latin and soulful grooves to UNÏCO. Free entry until midnight with the password COCO.
UNÏCO 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu. May 12. 10pm. 100RMB.
Asian Vibes presents Inga Mauer
Asian Vibes returns to Elevator with Russian music explorer and 'new kid on your block' Inga Mauer. Her unique style spans a wide range of genres like industrial, EBM, new wave and techno. She's currently under the wing of the Bunker Records team, whilst also working for Clone Records. Expect a strange and alluring trip of unconventional sounds.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. May 12. 10pm. 80RMB.
Lovebang Sound System
Love Bang Music Department rolls uptown to Donghu Lu to turn the club out with new-school and old-school hip hop, club trax, brand new music, and low-key classics. Dial 1-900-Love-Bang for surreal times. DJ Caution and Heatwolves on all night.
Le Baron 20 Donghu Lu. May 12. 10pm. Free.
Mayhem Monkey Teppanyaki
DJ Bo and friends present a free 'exotic/eclectic/experimental music and dance jam'. DJ Bo and Dave Hampson's DJ-with-live-instrumentation project Funky Teppanyaki will be joined by Beatbox Naadam - a collaboration between Ulaanbaatar's Beatbox Bachka and horse-head fiddler Khongor - dance group Capoera Mandinga, rapper Mr Weezy, Cruel Buddhist and more.
Harley's Underground 265 Nandan Dong Lu. May 12. 9pm. Free.
Wali Collins at Kung Fu Comedy
American stand-up Wali Collins is coming to KFK as part of his China tour. As seen on The Chappelle Show, P. Diddy A to Z and Late Show With David Letterman, and having received plaudits from the likes of Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, Collins is a performer with great pedigree. The shows will be hosted by Byron Murphy and will also feature KFK regulars Misha Kalin and Storm Xu.
Kung Fu Komedy Club 1 Xiangyang Bei Lu. 12-13 May. 9pm-10.30pm (12 May), 8pm-9.30pm (13 May), 10pm-11.30pm (13 May); 200RMB; 170RMB (presale).
SATURDAY
IAAF Diamond League Shanghai
The second leg of the 2017 Diamond League comes to Shanghai featuring a host of big names from the world of track and field. World record holder David Rudisha will run in the 800m; Olympic gold medalist Omar McLeod is in the 110m hurdles lineup; Rio champion Elaine Thompson runs the women’s 100m, while the men’s event will feature Justin Gatlin and Chinese star Su Bingtian.
Shanghai Stadium 666 Tianyaoqiao Lu. May 13. 6pm. 50-180RMB.
SCC: Open Bar Open Mic
The Shanghai Comedy Club's Open Bar Open Mic (OBOM) is back with three hours of comedy and all you can drink at Palmetto.
Palmetto 800 Changde Lu. May 13. 9pm. 150RMB (with free-flow).
Childs
Mexican outfit Childs combine post-rock, psychedelic and electronic influences into their atmospheric sound – one which has gone down well on their previous visits to China.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. May 13. 8.30pm. 200RMB; 160RMB (presale).
Crystal Castles
Ethan Kath's synthy electro-punk project and cool kids favourite comes to Shanghai with Edith Frances (who replaced Alice Glass in 2015) adding a melodic edge to Kath's disco metal beats.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. May 13. 9pm. 280RMB; 220RMB (presale).
Coco Zhao
Ever popular local jazz singer Coco Zhao returns to retro cocktail lounge Heyday for a night of soulful tunes backed by the Heyday Trio.
Heyday 50 Taian Lu. May 13. 9.30pm. 60RMB.
Rainbow Disco Club Shanghai 2017
Rainbow Disco Club, the hidden festival gem of Japan, takes over Elevator 'for a night beyond space and time'. Headlining is San Proper (Rush Hour, Dekmantel, Trouw), a famously unpredictable DJ who lays down party-starting sets of house and disco, electro, afro and acid. He is also a charismatic live performer who places his own vocals and instrument playing skills at the centre of his show, while hardware and digital toys flesh out the grooves.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. May 13. 10pm. 80RMB.
SHFT. Presents Excision
SHFT. bring big time Canadian dubstep producer Excision to the new Arkham for his first China show. Organisers advise: 'Brace your necks, bring some mosh gear, and pull up'.
Arkham 168 Julu Lu. May 13. 10pm. 300RMB; 260RMB presale; 180RMB earlybird.
Popasuda presents Dubatonik
Mexican bass DJ Dubatonik returns to Shanghai for Skinny Brown's Popasuda with a night of massive global sounds. Also on the line up is DJ Abalone straight from Berlin, playing a range of global bass, and the night kicks off with a live sitar and Mongolian horse head fiddle set from 10pm.
DADA 115 Xingfu Lu. May 13. 10pm. Free.
SUNDAY
Earl and the Steadies
Having toured the world and won a clutch of awards as bassist with Canadian rockers Wide Mouth Mason, Earl Pereira brings his new outfit to Shanghai as part of their latest tour. Their poppy 'island rock' sound mixes elements of reggae and funk.
The Pearl Theatre 471 Zhapu Lu. May 14. 8pm. 80-100RMB.
Insomnium
After performing at last year's Strawberry Festival, Finnish melodic death metal band Insomnium return to Shanghai, this time in support of their seventh album Winter's Gate, which features just one 40-minute (Viking-themed) song. Oh yes.
MAO Livehouse 308 Chongqing Nan Lu. May 14. 9pm.
Mew
Renowned Danish indie/prog-rock act Mew perform as part of a massive month of shows at Bandai Namco Shanghai Base.
Bandai Namco Shanghai Base 179 Yichang Lu. May 14. 8pm. 280RMB; 220RMB (presale).
The King's Singers
The most popular acapella ensemble around, the King’s Singers have lost some older members and gained some new ones, but they are as potent as ever. Their vocal arrangement of Rossini’s Barber of Seville overture alone should be worth the ticket.
Shanghai Oriental Art Center 425 Dingxiang Lu. May 14. 7.30pm. 80-580RMB.
Julian Opie
British contemporary art legend Julian Opie arrives in Shanghai for the first time, bringing with him over 50 of his signature graphic works. His art, which is featured on the cover of Britpop band Blur's 2000 Best Of album, is internationally renowned for its skilful simplicity but extraordinary clarity.
Fosun Foundation Art Center 600 Zhongshan Dong'er Lu. Until Jun 10.
Space Out: Odetta Sings Dylan
The chilled out full-album listening session returns to Elevator, this time with Mayura Jain presenting Odetta Sings Dylan, a Bob Dylan covers album from the artist Martin Luther King Jr. dubbed the 'Queen of American Soul Music'.
Elevator 218 Xinle Lu. May 14. 5pm. Free.
Windswept
Shanghai-based womenswear brand Arete is ditching the conventional runway shows in favour of inviting the public to view its latest clothing collection at Pata Gallery in M50 art district. The brand has collaborated with contemporary artist Tracie Cheng to create a ‘fashion art’ exhibition, presenting Arete’s current SS17 clothing collection alongside Cheng’s oil paintings – the inspiration behind the garments.
Pata Gallery 50 Moganshan Lu. Until 30 May. Free.
Fantastic Color Bar
Hidden in the basement of Ying Art Center is artist Wang Chienyang's Fantastic Color Bar, with the ordinarily dull room transformed to capture the dazzling colours of the internet age. The vibrant setting makes the perfect spot for some WeChat selfies, and has drawn crowds of young hipsters since its opening.
Ying Art Center 97 Moganshan Lu. Until 17 Nov. Free.
Baroque Carnival: Le Poeme Harmonique
Nearly at the two-decade mark, this top French early music ensemble’s performances include more artistic interpretation than most (and even candlelight when appropriate); this month, their programme includes Monteverdi, Rossi, Fasolo, and anonymous others.
Shanghai Grand Theatre 300 Renmin Avenue. May 14. 7.15pm. 180-500RMB.
Paradox of Reality: Latest Works by Shen Hua
Including a unique series of painted images on mirrors, this exhibition sees Sichuan-based artist Shen Hua present his pictorial conclusions of recent reflections on realism. With minimalistic abstract works and themes including post-modernity and the relationship between language and reality, it's a heavy and thought-provoking show.
Art+ Shanghai Gallery 191 South Suzhou Road. Until 4 Jun. Free.
Time Out's Film Screenings: Unknown Pleasures
Every month, Time Out Shanghai shows one of the greatest Chinese films of all time for free at Glam, M on the Bund, with free popcorn and specially tailored drinks. This month, we're showing number thirty two on our list, Jia Zhangke's Unknown Pleasures. To reserve your spot send the message 'film' along with your name, mobile number and WeChat ID to our official WeChat account.
Glam 20 Guangdong Lu. May 14. 4.15pm. Free.
AFL: Gold Coast Suns vs Port Adelaide
In the first match ever to be contested for premiership points outside of Australia or New Zealand, The Gold Coast Suns will be going head to head with Port Adelaide at the Jiangwan Stadium as part of China and Australia’s Year of Tourism. Tickets for the game are no longer available but it will be shown live at The Camel.
The Camel 1 Yueyang Lu. 1pm. Free.
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