Big news for me and maybe you: US hardcore heavyweights BANE will return to China for their final, for real, last time ever, no kidding, swan song, "We've been at it 20 years and it's time to hang up the spurs" tour. The band released their fourth and final studio album, Don't Wait Up, last year. Now they're hitting the dusty trail for one last global hurrah.

Their China tour hits Yuyintang on Thursday, March 5, in between shows in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, and Beijing. You can get pre-sale tickets for 120rmb, via Musikid, but please learn the lyrics to "Can We Start Again" because I swear I was the only one singing along last time.

So this new Shanghai web-series Floating City just dropped on the interwebs. The first episode dives deep into expat life – you know, just vintage biking on Wulumuqi Lu, dropping' a little putonghua at the Avocado Lady, trying to act non-important, dealing with French people and supercilious Brits, working on that China blog, thinking about adopting a cat (Chairman MEOW? LULZ), hitting up a sweet ladies night for some free manicures and cocktails with REAL ALCOHOL, maybe teaching a new friend how to eat some xiao long bao-dizzles. Just everyday shit, you know?

That's streaming on Youku. Link after the jump. ... Read on

Pianist. Producer. Composer. Visionary. Yanni.

Greek legend, Yanni is slated to be with us in Shanghai on March 17 at the Acropolis Mercedes-Benz Arena, twinkling the ivories as part of his international "One Man's Dream" World Tour. Tickets will be available on SmartTicket soon.

YES, GAWD.

But, wait, that's not all...

Australia soft rock two-headed behemoth Air Supply is also returning (yes) to China for a memorable evening of "All Out of Love" and 20-30 other songs, scheduled for a concert on March 13 at new venue Plus Space. In recent Air Supply news they've had a dance track that charted on Billboard.

It's... kind of sick, actually! Alright, Air Supply!

We'll have tickets to both of these available shortly because we love you and want you to have nice things. Stay tuned.

Despite all the talk about VPNs on iOS devices last week, here's some good news – it seems Instagram is unblocked. I just tested the app on my phone without a VPN and the feed loaded quick and photos uploaded just as fast if not faster than with a VPN. Not sure why this happened or how long it will last. More info as we get it.

Update: Seems that was just some kind of glitch that lasted a few days, or perhaps a server migration, because as of 5pm Instagram isn't loading properly and photos won't upload...

This week, more haters are hating on Liquid Laundry. User aky416 recounts an encounter with a smoking tuhao at Mohota Kitchen. Hanguo Chufang gets some kind words. Elenisymeonidou's mind is blown at Tomatito. And then there is our winner, aarongallery, with his three-Kleenex review of Dixie Grill. Enjoy the Sherpa's voucher, guy.

This weekend over at photography studio slash hipper-than-thou party/event space Central Studios, online fashion boutique ParkLU is hosting theINSIDER, its "private sales event".

It's basically a market, but instead of the usual 500 jewelry designers occupying the space, this one sees middle to upmarket boutiques and established brands offering up their usual stock at deep discounts. Some are samples, some are off-season, the rest, who cares. The most important thing is that there are usually some sweet deals to be found. ... Read on

Lots going on this weekend. Here is your black book...

It starts today at Dos Locos. The local Chipotle clone is celebrating its first anniversary. 200rmb gets you all you can eat burritos, tacos, snacks, salsa, Coronas and frozen margaritas. I don't know anybody who can eat more than one of those burritos. So my advice is make them pay for it with your Corona consumption.

Over at Zapata's, it's an evening of stand-up comedy from Punchline. This month's lineup is three comics from the UK and Ireland: John Moloney, Jeremy O'Donnell, and Andrew Stanley. That kicks off at 8pm, too. So you may need to weigh this against stuffing your gob with endless burritos. Or maybe not, the show moves to Pudong on Saturday night.
... Read on

A few closures to report. Let's get the permanent one out of the way first. Kathleen's 5 is done. The space is now under the masthead of Restaurant and Lounge concept Roof 325. K5 is still survived, however, by Kathleen's Waitan.

Nearby Barbarossa has also shut its doors, albeit temporarily routine renovations. Expect a reopening in two months.
... Read on