FOR NEWSWEEK SELECT’S SEPTEMBER EDITION.
Rock fans refute that Shanghai is and ever will be a jazz town. To back it up, they’re supporting an ever-growing live rock movement. Many of the venues are dark and dank as only a good punk rocker could appreciate. Here’s where to find the best live rock in Shanghai.
021 Bar 021酒吧 (2893 Yangshupu Road, 2/F North Bund Market杨树浦路2893号北外滩商场二楼)
It’s cramped, it’s underground, it reeks of cigarettes and stale beer, and it’s pure rock poetry.
Harley’s Bar 哈雷酒吧(265 South Dandong Road南丹东路265号)
Many of Beijing’s most famous punk bands make their Shanghai pit stop here. Grab a bottle of Ergoutou and let the good times roll.
C’s Bar (685 Dingxi Road定西路685号)
Cheap beers, loud rock, nicotine addicts, and a wide variety of musical styles. This is the place to enjoy the unruly and to howl.
Live Bar 现场酒吧(721 Kunming Road昆明路721号)
The music here isn’t always good, but it’s always loud. Brace yourself for the ear-drum shattering grunge and punk rock with a few brews.
Yuyintang 育音堂 (Lane 200 Longcao Road, Number 100龙漕路200弄100号)
Originally an abandoned warehouse, hosts bands from progressive goth to heavy metal to punk. Think industrial music in an industrial space.
DDM Warehouse 东大名创库(713 East Daming Road, 3/F东大名路713号3楼)
Shows aren’t regular, but they rock in the charismatic artsy space where performances punk you to the soul.
Shuffle Bar (137 Xingfu Road幸福路137号)
An intimate space removes the distance between indie and emo rock performers and their fans.
Tanghui 堂会(85 Huating Road华亭路85号)
Enough room in front of the stage for riotous dancing to ethnically inspired rock. Open mic nights stir up new blood, which keeps the scene fresh and exciting.
ARK Livehouse 亚科(1520 Taicang Road inside Xintiandi太仓路1520号新天地北里15号)
This place isn’t exactly rock ‘n’ roll, but it was the first live house to open in Shanghai. Avant-garde and post-rock foreign artists occasionally grace the stage.
–Megan Shank
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