When we first wrote on Hong Kong’s music scene we lamented that for a metropolitan area of this size their music culture was lacking. However Hong Kong is only just starting to find its musical feet and while the Chinese city of Shanghai is marginally more vibrant it finds itself in a similar position.
It’s staggering that a metropolis of over twenty million inhabitants is only home to small number of legitimate music venues, but Shanghai’s music scene is a cultural currency that is quickly becoming valuable to its young citizens.
Take the upsurge in rock music festivals to occur across China in the last five or six years as the chief example. Both Beijing and Shanghai have been the locales for Midi, Zebra and Strawberry music festivals, which have not only attracted international acts from within Asia, but also from around the world. Not only that but up and coming local acts are given a chance to prove their worth.
With the popularity of music festivals comes the birth of new music fans. Shanghai’s youth have found a saviour in the city’s burgeoning underground scene that offers respite from the bubble-gum C-pop.
Rock hasn’t been the only saving grace though, jazz clubs have sprung up across the city and attracted punters of the like which has not been seen in Shanghai since the 1930s.
This increasing love of quality live music has translated to the physical stakes as well. When little to none record stores could be found in this urban sprawl there are now small record havens to be found in electronic markets. While Uptown Records became the city’s first vinyl only record establishment, Kook Records, which once relied on CDs as its main source of sales, has now switched tactics and barely sells anything other than records.
While Shanghai is one of the last cities music lovers would choose there is hope in this metropolis where its music culture is on its way to vibrancy.
Shop
Uptown Records, 115 Pingwu Lu
Unequivocally one of Shanghai’s best vinyl stores to flick through, to find this collection buyers need to look for the small sign beside the stairs, which lead into a residential block. Run by a local DJ Uptown Records is small, but the collection is made up of quality music. The selection includes rock, 90s punk, hip-hop and electronic records.
Music Record Store, Unit A9 399 Handan Lu
Located near Fudan University this record establishment is one of the older stores in Shanghai. While the store sells a large range of alternative CDs it also specializes in independent Chinese music. Chinese DVDs are also on offer here too.
Kook Music, 6 Changshun Lu
Only a few blocks from Uptown this establishment doesn’t open until 5pm. Popular amongst local DJs Kook Music is made up of hip-hop, electronica, 80s and R&B records. The important thing for tourists to note is that the owner speaks English and the vinyl here is cheap.
Listen
Strawberry Music Festival
With Travis, Lenka and Deerhoof headlining this years event Shanghai music lovers were given three days of acts that represent a variety of genres. Local acts whether they be indie, punk, metal or electro are given a chance to share the stage with their much bigger international counterparts. Organised by Beijing-based record label, Modern Sky, the event is held in both cities.
Mao Livehouse, 570 Huaihai Xi Lu
With an 800-person capacity this live house is one of the city’s best music venues. Established in 2009 from a partnership between Tokyo’s Bad News Records and Shanghai’s Soma Records Mao boasts an incredible sound system. Both revered local and international acts play here with gigs from Peaches, M and Secret Machines being just a few of the names to have graced the stage here.
Yuyintang, 851 Kaixuan Lu
Opened in 2004 this live music house began as a rock club that moved multiple times before settling on its current address in 2008. With the translation of this establishment’s name being the rather apt “place where music happens” local rising acts play here regularly. This 200 capacity room has also seen the likes of international acts Xiu Xiu and The Thermals hit the stage.
See
Museum of Oriental Musical Instruments, 20 Fenyang Rd Xuhui,
This small museum is made up of four display rooms, which contain more than 500 musical instruments. The four sections focus on ancient Chinese musical instruments, modern Chinese musical instruments, Chinese minorities folk musical instruments and foreign folk musical instruments. Among the highlights are 2,500-year-old panpipes and Indonesian xylophones adorned in gold.
Shanghai Antique Music Box Gallery, 425 Dingxiang Lu
Including this museum in our guide to Shanghai might seem a bit twee, but in a city that has museums devoted to typewriters and chopsticks this establishment might just amuse or intrigue travellers looking for something different. This personal collection of European music boxes is half price every first and third Saturday of the month. Make sure to check out the oldest music box in the world while you’re there too. The little ornament from 1796 is sure to impress!
Shanghai Acts You Should Check Out
Duck Fight Goose – Soundcloud
Formed in 2009 as a self confessed super group, Han Han, 33, Panda, Damen and JB combine their musical prowess with influences from math rock, psychedlia and a host of other sonic textures to create experimental tracks, which are as engaging as they’re polished. Their debut EP, Flow, quickly garnered traction, while their 2011 debut, SPORTS movement, put them on par with some of the city’s most exciting acts.
X is Y – Soundcloud
Combining the elements of indie rock, slow core, math rock and post hardcore this three-piece are at the forefront of Shanghai’s alternative rock scene. The band made both their LP and EP (the most apt titles for releases in music) available for free. Listen to their album below to see why we rate this band.
Death To Giant – Soundcloud
What do you need to craft Shanghai death pop? A drummer and bassist. It may not sound like much but Ivan Belcic and Dennis Ming, which both sing in this duo, are the cause of one very heavy sound. They’re not worried about toning down their eccentricity either as evidenced by ‘Sick And Elastic’ below.
