Your guide to a big weekend of live music

Rain. Pollution. Grey skies. Cold. It's not been a great week in Shanghai, but it could be a great weekend - the live music schedule is jam packed with quality shows. Here are our picks:

China Drifting Festival

MAO Livehouse, 9pm, 180RMB

Live techno ensemble Brandt Brauer Frick return to these shores to headline and take part in a special set with Re-TROS frontman Hua Dong and Pet Conspiracy mastermind Huzi. Hua Dong will also be joining his band for a full post-punk set, while Swiss duo None of Them - who claim to blend everything from abstract hip hop to rock and electronica into their 'ugly pop' sound - round out the bill.

Neon Indian

QSW Creative Arts Centre, 9pm, 150RMB

A great booking from Split Works as they bring in Alan Palomo's Neon Indian project for a full live band show, just weeks after the release of his critically acclaimed new album VEGA INTL. Night School. Having originally been cast as one of the leaders of the 'chillwave' movement together with the likes of Washed Out and Toro Y Moi, Palomo has since moved into funked up disco territory, all while maintaining his knack for infectious pop hooks. Shanghai-based producer Damacha provides support.

Saturday 21

Sleep Party People

QSW Creative Arts Centre, 8.30pm, 120RMB

Brian Batz brings his bedroom dream pop/lo-fi electronic project to QSW for a night of dramatic soundscapes and rabbit masks.

Xiao Laohu + Soulspeak

On Stage, 9pm, 100RMB

While it's also the second anniversary of The Pearl up in Hongkou tonight with Frank Bray and friends, this is our pick for Saturday: rapper Xiao Laohu (aka J-Fever) and Beijing-via-LA producer Soulspeak bring their collaboration to Shanghai for a live show in support of excellent new album Color Blind. If Grimes' recent 'Scream' single has whetted your appetite for Mandarin rap, check this show out.

Sunday 22

Lacrimosa
MAO Livehouse, 8pm, 550RMB

If you can stomach that door price, Sunday brings the chance to see German goth duo Lacrimosa celebrating their 25th anniversary in Shanghai. They've been making their leather and violin-clad heavy metal since 1990 and hit town in support of their latest album Hoffnung.

For full details on all of these shows, plus interviews with Neon Indian and Sleep Party People, click below.