After a fairly quiet weekend in Shanghai last week, looks like things are picking up a little bit with some good options for live shows this weekend... WangWen WangWen are a "post rock" band (which is like somewhere between indie rock, prog, and math rock) from Dalian, stopping in Shanghai for two shows in support of the latest album, IV. Fresh off a European tour which took the band all the way to the UK, WangWen were formed in 1999 and were last in town supporting their last album in 2007 at the old Yuyintang. If I remember correctly that show was a good one, with a good turnout, and plenty of kids getting all blown away by that sick-ass guitar tone, man. Musically, their latest album is a tamer version of the explosive post rock visions of Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky, but with more varied instrumentation -- strings, and *shock* some vocal parts here and there -- and it's more ambient and cinematic, as apposed to the slow-crescendo-to-the-boom of most post rock. Less mathy than most, WangWen's alternative background bleeds through the expansive song writing in early Smashing Pumpkins crunchy guitar tones in places. Also, you can download two full albums of theirs off their Myspace page, so that's nice too (click on the band blog). Anyways if you're a guitar tone freak, and totally on board for 10 minute instrumental songs, check them out. WangWen are playing at something called Swing Bar on July 11 and if you miss that one, they're playing a Tuesday night show at Yuyintang. *** Carsick Cars Hugely popular in Beijing, Carsick Cars are back in town for a Sunday night show at Yuyintang. Famous, of course, for being chosen to open for Sonic Youth in China, then being denied the opportunity by The MAN, they nevertheless played some shows with the band in 2007. So musically they sound like they love Sonic Youth, but are also down with New York '70s punk and '80s post punk, which is to say indie rock with noise/post punk overtones. They're supposed to be releasing an album soon. Or maybe they just did. Either way... maybe look out for that one if that's your thing. Carsick Cars are playing at Yuyintang this here for their MySpace page. *** Thee, Stranded Horse And in the not-from-China-at-all category is Thee, Stranded Horse, a singer/songwriter called Yann Tambour from Normandy. This one's being put on by local promoters, S.T.D. at it's at LOgO bar on Saturday. Putting a world-music spin on acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter fair, homey plays a lute. For real. So expect some quiet, subtle, and earthy tones in a more subdued S.T.D. show that you're used to. Maybe even Lord of the Rings-ey. (I hope.) Usual DJ support in the form of trip hop, electroklash, etc. Cover is 30rmb. Click here for Thee, Stranded Horse's MySpace. *** A few other ones are also happening -- Xiao He at Live Bar and some local mainstays this Saturday at Yuyintang. Click on the links for more information. In the next few weeks keep an eye out for NOIShanghai at Live Bar and Super VC at Windows Underground.