“Our market isn’t as good as in Beijing,” Yan says. “But I think we’ll be fine; it will be better in three years.”

So why does he predict Shanghai’s live music scene will take off in the near future? Yan, with a laugh, says: “Because Mao Livehouse occurs in Shanghai.” 

The hope is that, by having a more professional live music venue like Mao, alternative music in Shanghai will get an injection of ambition.

"By having a better stage, better lighting, better sound, people will want to come back again and bring their friends because they can enjoy a more professional show.”

Run by the city’s only indie music label, Soma Records – which previously turned the Zhijiang Dream Factory into the more musically focused Soma Live House – and with Bad News as an investor, Mao’s main objectives are to give local bands a target to work towards, while also helping to develop the market.

“This will be a better stage for local bands,” Yan says. “They’ll be able to rehearse and practice in small gigs. Then, when they’re ready, when they have more confidence, they can stand on Mao’s stage and feel it’s an honour to play here.

“The second goal of Mao is to attract more people to watch live music. By having a better stage, better lighting, better sound, people will want to come back again and bring their friends because they can enjoy a more professional show.”

Along with the main performance area, the venue will also house an alternative record shop affiliated with 0093 as well as Soma’s offices and recording studio.

Looking to the long-term, Mao Livehouse is also tapping into local universities with advertisements and setting up ticket agencies on campuses. Shanghai’s student base, Yan says, is especially important for the venue’s success later on.

But, for the moment, the future doesn’t look too bad for Mao Livehouse.

“When news about Shanghai Mao came out, so many people were excited, which helped us to attract our first audience,” Yan says about the 800 people who attended Mao’s soft opening in late September that featured Sonnet, Life Journey and Momo.

“In the future, another Mao will be opened somewhere else in China, and this live house brand will be known throughout the country.”

Mao Livehouse, Building 32, 570 Huaihai Xi Lu, near Hongqiao Lu (inside Red Town). Tel: 6227 7332