Thursday:

Carlinhos Brown and Mart’nália

Carlinhos Brown (website, Myspace) has been making an impact in Brazil and around the world for two and a half decades, writing music, producing, and performing. His earliest foundation was in the percussion of Brazilian folkloric music, from which he went to writing songs for other stars, playing with stars such as Caetano Veloso and Luís Caldas, and finally making his own music with Timbalada and under his own name. So, he’s a huge star with a giant wealth of music behind him, and in style he stretches across everything–samba, funk, reggae, rock–in the way that only Brazilians can make seem easy. Joining him is Mart’nália, who plays smooth but funky Brazilian pop.

Red Hall, Expo Center in Pudong

5:30 Mart’nália starts, 8:00 Carlinhos Brown starts

The only ticket needed is entry to the Expo site, I think.

Jeans Team DJ Set

In addition to their electro-Expo live-set activities (tomorrow), Jeans Team, whom Shanghai is known to love, will be throwing down behind the tables at Dada this evening.

Dada, 115 Xingfu Lu kind of near Fahuazhen Lu

10:00

No cover

Friday:

Pitchtuner DJ Set

The Japanese/German electronic/rock band stop into Not Me for a DJ set. Who knows what it will sound like, but if you dig their Myspace then you’ll probably dig it. Also, there will be many hipsters there. Finally, you can catch them in the Expo doing their regular thing, along with Jeans Team on the same day.

Not Me, 21 Dongping Lu near Wulumuqi Lu

Start time is unclear. Get there around 10:00, I’d say

No cover

transmitCHINA Ginger Beef Tour, Day 2

The second day of bunches of Canadian indie bands in SH, brought to you by Splitworks, the Fan Tan group, bunches of Canadian governmental thingies, and more. It’s the show that goes with a music conference, but do you know what conferences are? BORING! Just kidding, it’s probably pretty interesting. I like talking about music and the music industry as much as the next guy, but we basically only do shows here at the Editor’s Picks. This one has the Megaman-Sublime pop-punk reggae of illscarlett, the borderline-twee cello and accordion indie-folk of Ohbijou, and the multi-generational-metal-alternative-rock-Led Zeppelin and Axl Rose shredding of Flash Lightnin’. Shanghai’s own Forget and Forgive open the proceedings. That’s a lot of genres. Thanks Splitworks and friends!

Zhijiang Dream Factory, 28 Yuyao Lu, Bldg. B 4F

9:00 start

60 RMB cover

Saturday:

The Pheonix Prestige

Wow, a pretty sweet and professional-sounding band of Irish Hangzhou-ians. Morgan’s mp3 Monday has mp3s. Definitely check those tracks out, they are pretty damn well produced. Kind of 90′s sounding, but isn’t it about time to revisit the 90′s? Also, it’s a good reason to go to the new 696 Livehouse. It’s not exactly downtown, but with all the new subway lines it’s a whole new world. Moon Tyrant does the opening.

696 Livehouse, 118 Dongjiangwan Lu Suite 115, Bldg. A, near Huayuan Lu

9:00 start

40 RMB cover

BvDub

A Subculture-Void collaboration brings BvDub to Shanghai. The fact that these two crews are doing this together is enough for me. Mr. Shanghai Ultra says of BvDub: “Bvdub is one of the hottest up-and-and coming names on the electronica scene today. His laid-back productions cross over all manner of musical territories from ambient chill out to intelligent grooving sounds for the floor. He’s China’s best kept secret, and this is the best time to check him out.”

The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu near Fuxing Xi Lu

10:00 Start

40 RMB cover

Sunday:

These purple-latex-suited Italian crazies come with some INDUSTRIAL! The 90′s are officially back. But this time glam is not just a look but a lifestyle: “The Medullary Paralysis is not just a band but an idiosyncratic lifestyle. We don’t drink, we don’t take drugs, we don’t have sex, we feel compassion. We have a different vision about how to enjoy life, we repudiate mechanical sex, we hate victimism and we practice compassion. Come In the Medulla and find out why.” I recommend you do. It’s not clear if purple latex is required, but would you be sad if it was? Confirm-X opens.

YuYinTang, 851 Kaixuan Lu near Yan’an Xi Lu

9:00 start

50 RMB cover