Rock and Roll Shanghai Style

Two musical experiences in one day! I went to my first festival in China and followed it up by playing my first concert. And although I'm very familiar with musical extravaganzas both of these were distinct from anything I have every experienced.

Music in China is a funny thing. Right now Shanghai is trying hard to be an international, cosmopolitan city and encompass the arts and culture inherent in such status. So there is a push for art and music that has not existed in the last 50 years in China. Yet there are still forces that find musical and artistic expression a risky or possibly controversial experience. Thus concerts are often cancelled at the last second and, unfortunately, Shanghai was not able to experience the musical talents of Kanye West last month (despite much hype and anticipation.) So when the drummer in my band asked if I wanted to go to an outdoor festival I jumped at the chance.

As I set out the door to hit the festival ominous clouds loomed on the horizon. Sure enough, the rain opened up as soon as we all met up I found myself haggling over 50 cents price difference while buying an umbrella. It is amazing the number of umbrella vendors that magically appear when it rains. I wonder where they hide as they wait patiently for the skies to open. I choose a green polka dot one at the prodding of my friends. Overall there was great jazz and fun people and the rain stopped after an hour or so.

We left the show after a funky band from belgium ripped it up. They rocked the Q Chord which everyone who was on the Oleanna trip with Richard knows is the awesome quirky instrument of many pitches.

We couldn't stay too long as we were scheduled to play and international festival designed to expose Chinese locals to foreign music. We rolled into the posh club with fruit platters and mirrored walls and smiled at each other. This was sure to be interesting. After some minor glitches (like getting power to the stage) we started rocking an audience of some friends and about 5 Chinese people. As the night went on more and more Chinese people filtered in until we were playing to a pretty full house. Chinese people don't really dance (or at least I haven't seen it) so the people sat at their tables and played a dice game that involves slamming a cup full of dice on the table as loudly as possible. Yet they liked it! They applauded! That's not super normal here.

We wrapped up, got paid, and then I was interviewed by a local TV station. As I expounded upon my message to China and what I want people to take out of the music my ego started to swell to epic proportions! The bar manager quickly burst my bubble by telling me to get my stuff off the stage and move the drums over so the next act could start. Following us was a young stylish Chinese man who was clearly lip syncing and didn't look that excited about it. The Chinese people continued to loudly slam down their dice cups.