A little late to the post with this one, but JUE 2014 is happening all around us. We’re into week two, recovering from a flurry of shows featuring one of our favourite post-rock acts And So I Watch You From Afar who were last down for their UK NOW tour, which saw them take on the western lands of Chengdu, Chongqing and Lijiang (as well as the music capitals SH/BJ). They have a healthy appetite for Bourbon, in the best and worst possible way.
Low End Theory alumni Baths has also just concluded his China tour, with an emotive set at 390 last night. Baths’ range and the dynamics of his vocals are stunning – pity audience members trounced those few subdued moments with their idle talk. But JUE veterans know that the arts programming too plays an important role in bringing our creative communities together.
Asian Cinema Week opened with a screening of Yangon Calling – Punk In Myanmar. Featuring Side Effect and Culture Shock, the film-doc explores the underbelly of Myanmar’s subversive music scene. We’ve previously reported on punk’s status in Asia, and think that what Alexander Dluzak and Carsten Piefke have achieved with this project is something that will stand the test of time. Punk never dies, it just migrates, breeding in sites of discontent around the world.
Besides the big foreign names, there have been some low-key shows including the Hangzhou New Noise showcase, and a last-minute appearance from Hualun (花伦) who held it down after some unfortunate cancellations.
There’s still a ton to look forward to – we’ll do a proper wrap-up later. Lee Ranaldo’s talk is tonight! It’s been a good 7 years since he was last in town with Sonic Youth, so inevitably RSVPs flew. You can still catch the show tomorrow in SH, and the day after in Beijing.
Genjing Records talent comes to Yuyintang today ahead of Alpine Decline’s Go Big Shadow City release. There’s a ‘two birds one stone’ package up for grabs – 170RMB for access to Ranaldo’s show and the Genjing showcase, bus included n’all!
Shoot us over any pics or thoughts on the shows, and have yourselves a good JUE.