IPod Wars and More

Various nightlife, DJ, and live music related fodder - By Morgan Short, Feb 29, 08

The second Shanghai IPod Battle takes place this Saturday (the first one was last year at the ill-fated Pirates) in the street-chic environs of Volar. So, what is an IPod Battle? According to promoter Arthur Gallice, an IPod Battle, "is a musical tournament that puts in competition eight teams with the mission of seducing the crowd and make them go completely nuts by charming them with their Mp3 players and with their STYLE." And... what do the teams win?

"The winner receive a trophy from the IPB organisation and he can claim that he [or she] rules in term of MUSIC STYLE!" So ... what teams are competing? "Bananas, S.T.D., Minimal My Ass, Louder.cn, The Paname Team, Pichasse Team, A Secret Team coming from another world, and the United Team.”

Arthur elaborates that the IPod Battle is a popular event originating in the Le Paris nightlcub in *shock* Paris. For the Shanghai bout, an "official" judge from the IPB organization will be on hand to assure the rules are adhered to, but crowd reaction determines the winner. The teams face off in a ring and trade songs back and forth from their IPods. After three elimination rounds a winner will be crowned, losers will be derided, and entertainment will be had by all.

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Yuyintang in March

Yuyintang reopens again on March 7, after closing for renovations. They're back, brash, fully unlicensed, but with a bigger capacity. They've got a series of bands coming in including sk8tr punk band Alter Ego from Oregon (sounding a lot like New Found Glory, yikes!), BJ fav's Hedgehog on March 15 and LA-based metalcore outfit Horse the Band on March 24. An apocalyptic group, Horse the Band is a must-see for any fans and well-wishers of hardcore/metalcore music, playing in a style reminiscent of Converge on special K or The Refused on speed. And they've got a keyboard! Here are the MySpace links to the bands: Alter Ego, Hedgehog, and Horse the Band.

AC/DC (Almost) at Live Bar

If your balls are always bouncing--to the left and to the right--you might want to check out the AC/DC tribute band High Voltage, appearing at Live Bar for three back to back shows on March 21, 22, and 23. They specialize in Bon Scott-era 'DC (read: Turbo Rad 'DC) and will be supported by locals Kidney Stone. Tickets are 35rmb.

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British Grandeur

Tiesto, "the Godfather of the English dance scene" (according to Paul Oakenfold), will be performing at M2 on April 5. Tickets are currently available through the club. Pre-sale: 300rmb (with a Q5 card, 250rmb). Check out his MySpace page to see what he's been up to here.

[Ed's note: So apparently Tiesto isn't British. He's Dutch. And it was him saying that bit about the "godfather" thing about Oakenfold. Whatever dude. I made a mistake. Big deal. I don't know who either of them are. Tiesto is still playing on in April at M2. See you there. -Morgan]

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Succubus

If you really like the RHCP, but are feeling a little more introspective these days, Incubus is playing March 13 at the Yunfeng Theatre. Tickets on still on sale though mypiao.com. 400-600rmb.

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Canadian Invasion

Taking a break from booking mainly British acts is Spli-t Works, beloved mid-to-large operations locally-based concert promoters. Apparently, they've been checking out what the colonies are up to and they like what they see. According to an email they sent out, they've confirmed Canadian band Dandi Wind for a show at The Shelter on April 4. Supporting are locals Hard Queen and R3. The show is a real bargain at 50rmb (friend prices). They've also confirmed that they're bringing over Candian electroclash-ish band, You Say Party We Say Die! Spli-t works has been laying low (and payin' the bills apparently) since that big Yue Festival so it's good to see them back in the swing of things.

These bands aren't all that big outside Canada (although YSPWSD! has been remixed by some DJ celeb-types including Octopus Project and RAC), so check them both out at their MySpace pages: Dandi Wind, You Say Party We Say Die!

Also at The Shelter, a big month for them in March, as they gear up to celebrate The Lab's two year anniversary at the end of the month. Each weekend has international DJ upon international DJ as the club hosts DJ Coma, DJ Roli Rho, and DJ Kentaro. Consummate promoter that he is, club manager Gaz will fill you in on more details as they arise, either via the SmSh events page, the SmSh forum, Facebook, or maybe he'll even just come over to your place for a chat. Early congrats to The Lab on their two-year anniversary.

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