No Genre Left Behind: Shanghai’s Eclectic Music Scene

Florent Mothe is finally back in Shanghai! The French singer-songwriter and Mozart l'Opéra Rock legend is bringing his soulful vocals and intimate acoustic set to the stage, mixing fan favorites, musical theater gems, and fresh tracks from his new album. Expect raw emotion, killer guitar solos, and maybe even a surprise cover or two – this is way more than just a concert.

NOVA NOIR is a new music project founded in 2024 by French singer Cóme and guitarist-composer Edouard Algayon. Blending elements of electronic music, grunge, and metal, the band explores a darker, high-energy sound that reflects their shared interest in pushing beyond genre boundaries.

Smooth jazz legend Kenny G brings his iconic saxophone melodies to China, where his timeless hit Going Home has soundtracked decades of daily life—from school bells to shopping malls. Expect a nostalgia-packed night of velvet tones and effortless cool as the curly-haired maestro proves why he remains one of the West’s most beloved accidental icons in the Middle Kingdom.

Verve Records' rising star Kurena Ishikawa leads an all-star jazz trio featuring legendary drummer Gene Jackson (Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter) and award-winning pianist Takeshi Ohbayashi in a genre-blurring session. Expect fiery reinventions of classics like '500 Miles High' and 'Maiden Voyage' alongside original works that bridge Tokyo's jazz clubs with New York's avant-garde.

Punk was popular, but never as popular as Green Day made it. They embraced all the concepts of the genre: short, rapid-fire songs, lyrics with social consciousness, and unstoppable energy in their shows. Punk in the past was limited to small dirty bars played in front of a dedicated group of fans, but Green Day brought it to stadiums full of frenzied kids from all walks of life. The Red Stars band will perform the Green Day canon of endless hits in one of the most exciting and energetic shows to grace The Pearl’s stage. There will also be hit songs by the Offspring, Blink-182, Sum 41, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers to add more fun to the evening. Expect a night of punk pop funk rock music! 

Japanese saxophonist Kenta Saito brings his smooth tone and precision to the stage for a one-night-only recital as part of this year's MISA festival. He’s joined by pianist Kaoruko Igarashi for a one-hour set featuring works by Debussy, Andy Scott, and contemporary composers like Takashi Yoshimatsu. No intermission—just straight-up sonic storytelling.

Throughout history, rivalries have sparked heated battles: Jets vs. Sharks, Greasers vs. Socs, Rockers vs. Mods, Warriors vs. every gang in NYC. Now, The Pearl is hosting a clash of modern-day musical titans: Imagine Dragons vs. Coldplay. The Pearl's house band, Red Stars, will channel the energy and hits of both iconic bands in a night filled with anthems, soaring vocals, and electrifying beats. Who will reign supreme? This isn’t just a concert—it’s a showdown of epic proportions. Grab your tickets now to witness the ultimate battle of the bands!

Three lifelong friends and world-class musicians — Daniel Ottensamer (Principal Clarinet of the Vienna Philharmonic), Stephan Koncz (Cellist of the Berlin Philharmonic), and pianist Christoph Traxler — are bringing their ambitious Clarinet Trio Anthology to Shanghai. Expect masterful performances of Beethoven, Fauré, and Nino Rota, plus a special piece by Turnage. A rare treat for chamber music lovers.

Two heavyweights of Russian piano - Andrey Pisarev (head of Moscow Conservatory's piano department) and Pavel Nersessian - are teaming up for an epic piano marathon. Expect dazzling technique and deep musicality as they tear through Romantic classics by Chopin, Rachmaninoff and more.

This September, Sylvester Levay & His Friends brings some of Germany’s biggest musical theater stars to Shanghai Culture Square for a one-of-a-kind concert. Expect epic tunes from Elizabeth, Mozart!, and Rebecca, with top-notch performances by the likes of Annemieke van Dam, Mark Seibert, and Lukas Perman. It’s the only stop outside of Vienna, so don’t miss it!