London-based band Yuuf brings its nature-inspired, sun-drenched psychedelic sound to Shanghai. Known for immersive live performances, their shows take audiences from shimmering ambient textures to driving grooves in a deeply engaging journey - making the kind of global psychedelia instrumental music akin to bands like Yin Yin, Khruangbin, and Glass Beams. Featured on global radio and platforms including KEXP, KCRW, BBC Radio 6, Somewhere Soul, and Facemelts, their live shows are when their songs come alive, with the quartet transforming their catalogue from meditative, chill, and atmospheric into fun, charismatic, and electrifying - ramping up the energy with musical dexterity.
Some of the post rock scene’s emerging acts head over to Yuyintown to make their mark. Soil Godliness – from Shenyang, make ‘Post Rock from Post-Heavy Industry City’ - a logline that captures the band and their sprawling, mammoth sound that feels grand. They’ve teamed up with Guangxi post rock outfit Wild Shore Journal, who bring a soft touch to their affectionate, sweeping brand of instrumental rock. Supporting the touring pair are locals Fog Umbrella, the dual-piano and drum trio who have been blowing minds this year with their jazzy, math-rock-inflected instrumental rock that aims to capture the city of Shanghai in all its wonder.
Three female-fronted rock bands join forces for a party over at Yuyintown. On the menu, you’ve got garage rock favorites, Hey! Lily!, known for their magnetic, combustible performances, spunky synth wave rockers Anonymous Annoyance, and Unknown Tour, who ‘swim between sensibility and rationality’ (with a pipa to boot). No frills, unadulterated rock and roll - expect a boisterous crowd.
Things get heavy over at Mosh Space with three of the metal scene’s more offbeat and nefarious forces taking the stage including Satanic Landlord, the Wenzhou-based two-piece - featuring the ever-prolific Christopher Henry (of Polyphozia, Fuck Your Birthday, and Night Tides) and drummer Tim - who craft noise rock, mortgage-core from the depths of Hell’, taking pleasure in its sprawling, playful yet hard-hitting hellscapes, it’s deviant satirical bite, and brimstone vocals. Joining them are Moonlight Death - a new deathcore band from southern Zhejiang, and Stink Fantasy, who bring a fanatical element to their nu metal.
An instrumental rock feast at Cream Club - perfect for those looking to explore new sonic vistas. On the docket, are freshly prepared Shanghai act Lost Slumberisle, whose explorations led them well past post rock; Round Seal is the solo post-rock project from Yuanxi; and no channel, but... - who have grown in leaps and bounds since I caught them last fall - crafting post rock of a more metallic quality - leaning at times toward post-metal with just a touch of avant-garde and prog-rock provocation.
A damn sexy lineup over at Cream Club in Pudong this evening - one that has ’sleeper gig’ written all over it. A young-blooded mix of rustic rock, shoegaze, and post punk with acts like Hunter & Tree, who make rustic, melodic, and blues-inflicted rock and roll, with plenty of bite and anarchist spirit. Both freshly minted post-punk outfit SOTA and shoegaze emo act Gazella have been popping onto my radar more and more - mighty curious about them. Surprises await.
