“Fleeing by Night” with Balance Art and Shadow Play
They pulled all the stops for this multidisciplinary event, which featured performance art, 3D projection mapping, dance and local DJ’s including Nara, .
The best thing about it was the space (although the event itself was also pretty awesome) – a huge 3-level warehouse at the top of a 30-story skyscraper in the heart of downtown Beijing (one of Balance Art’s newly acquired spaces). It’s an amazing mixed-media studio, financed by a bunch of rich young Chinese. It’s great that the economically empowered young guns are investing in the arts, rather than cars and bottles of Dom at shitty nightclubs. Expect a lot more at this space – especially with JUE 2014 around the corner.
The crowd of cool Chinese cats didn’t clap or cheer much, but by the end everyone was clearly blown-away. Vocal expats didn’t hold anything back, cheering after each segment and occasionally setting-off the others.
GUIGUISUISUI and his Diddly Board @ 696 Live
This was one of those “better do it once” shows. Seen a guy play a skateboard bass? No? Do it. GUIGUISUISUI really went for it, thrashing around in his vestment. He even got the audience involved, allowing fans to strum the Diddly. The pictures say more than can be expressed by a single wordsmith. 696 Live has been fundamental in supporting the underground scene in Shanghai – last year they hosted Sunday live, a series of free showcases which highlighted some of the best upcoming talent around. We’re looking forward to more in 2014 – even if that means subjection to the occasional audial haemorrhage.
South Rakkas Crew @ Arkham
One of our Arkham regulars reported back saying it was a busy show – about 4/5 full for D-Rakkas himself. Most of the audience hung around for Conrank after, who dropped some new tunes for the occasion. Looks like world music-laced dance is a hit with the crowds in Shanghai. There aren’t many more places you can get your Moombahton on, nice work Arkham.
