The final curtain seems to be coming for the Zhijiang Dream Factory. According to the management, Shanghai’s first mid sized venue will be turned into offices in May.
The venue shot to prominence in early 2009 with a series of shows from Shanghai promoters including the inaugural JUE Festival shows (a Maybe Mars showcase and Demerit), Ratatat, Battles, and local showcase Get in the Van!
Despite being a decent space, the venue always suffered from its location and an expensive bar, plus an inability to provide reasonable equipment to the promoters. Mao Livehouse owners Soma Records cut their venue management teeth when they took over the space in early 2010 – this move culminated in the most active post on this site to date, with arguments raging on the merits of such a decision.
In any case, when Mao Livehouse opened its doors in autumn 2009, the writing was probably on the wall for the ZDF. There were still the occasional shows, some of them good and the venue recently had a mini-renaissance while Mao moved house. Now the 3rd and 4th floors of the New Factories will become offices, and a semi-Shanghai institution will be no more. Apparently Kentos on the 2nd floor will pick up some shows in the immediate future, but as of May, the Dream Factory will die a death. RIP