Weatherday - led by producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Sputnik - became a cult favorite very quickly after 2019’s Come in, which many cite as an urtext for emo’s emerging fifth wave, where musicians have thrown out the textbook on genre conventions, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at their sonic, cathartic, lo-fi, and subversive take on the genre. Slacker rock, shoegaze, post hardcore, and noise - it's all fair game in Weatherday’s world - a combustible hailstorm of sounds and styles woven in such a way that’s both chaotic and affecting. Fresh off their highly acclaimed sophomore LP, Hornet Disaster, the mononymous songwriter will be making his China debut this Wednesday courtesy of KILOGLOW.
Raw, sweaty, primal, and bewitching psychedelic music - Wuhan’s Spring Hill Post Tide are one of the best in the genre here in China - the kind of rock and roll that thrives and ferments in the moment. Fresh off their debut release THE CITY PORTAL WILL BE OPEN, their latest finds the band fully embracing their improvisational streak (with the help of producer Wang Haiyang of Field Cooperative) in every aspect - unfurling in unexpected and fascinating new ways - as guitar, theremin, saxophones, rich samples and pummeling drums collide in a medley of uninhibited grooves, space-bound drones, and charismatic fervor. A madcap adventure that evokes everything from David A. Hardy to Zhang Daqian as it embodies the exploratory spirit of no wave, the 1960s, and Spiritual Jazz. Take the ride.
Potent power pop out of Surabaya, Indonesia, Crayon Case makes their China debut this week. A vibrant, warm swirl of intimate bedroom pop textures, dreamy melodies, distorted guitar noise, and tropical, chaotic city vibes - it’s the kind of indie music made to sweep you off your feet with its seamless pop sensibility and emotional hooks. Their Shanghai stop features local guests lo-fi indie pop outfit Me and My Sandcastle - swimming in a vat of cough syrup guitar tones, woozy synths, and tender vocals.
A formidable lineup of aggressive, beastly creatures has been assembled over at Trigger - the noise and experimental safe haven. It’s a massive lineup with some special guests, including the return of Alessandra Zerbinati, considered one of the most controversial and extreme noise artists on the Italian scene today, who’ll be teamed up with Steel Thighs, who specializes in ethnic harmonic flute and low-pitched throat singing. Creature from the Black is a solo music project by Filippo Corradin, a musician and DJ from the Venice region with over twenty years of experience in the underground music scene. Francine Satu is a hybrid music project from Fribourg, Switzerland, that navigates between noise, experimentation, and high-energy rhythms. Shawn Wu is the founder of GM.XE Instruments, as well as a synthesizer designer and independent musician. Finally, Jason Wade, a longtime member of the renowned extreme experimental noise and performance art group Cock ESP, will join hands with Ultracocker Shocking, a non-musical/non-performance project relaunched by Junky (of Torturing Nurse and RHYTHMICSHIT. Bring your earplugs.
StreetVoice is taking over Yuyintown Basement this spring with two gigs, putting a spotlight on some of the freshest and most exciting acts in the indie world. Night one heads to Nanjing - with simmering electro pop outfit Silhouette, reverb-happy dream pop outfit Radiation Fog, and independent singer-songwriter Koe, who effortlessly navigates between smoldering electronic rhythms and jazzy trip hop.
Mosh Space kicks off their own indie showcase series ‘FOR INDIE’ - the Yangpu’s venue is opening up its doors (on their dime) to up-and-coming bands looking to make their mark on the scene. For their first outing, they’ve tapped High Kick, who will be offering up their mix of pop punk, city pop, and indie rock; Navel, whose gothic new wave ain’t afraid to let their psych-infused mania run free; and emo core rockers MUST AT NINE.
