The Hot List

By Buckingham McNamara

In this column, we highlight a few of the bars, clubs, DJs and other musical talents who made waves in Shanghai last month.

 Void’s Fourth Birthday

Although August is typically a slow month in the nightlife scene as the city flees the heat, several local parties held big birthday bashes to the relief of all still in Shanghai. First up was underground techno boys VOID who celebrated their fourth year of existence – a very worthy achievement in such a fickle market. The Shelter was packed out with VOID’s usual crowd, plus a large contingent of curious partygoers interested in seeing what all the fuss is about. DJs Zammo, MHP and Shanghai Ultra played until the wee hours of the morning as the crowd begged for track after classic track. Congratulations guys!

The Antidote’s Sixth Anniversary

The other massive party this past month paid homage to one of Shanghai’s original crews – the ubiquitous, the infamous, The Antidote. In six years, the constantly evolving group has pulled off a remarkable 137 events – that’s an average of just under two parties per month. DJs Ozone, B6, MHP, Drunk Monk and Cavia, plus a number of random guests, played to an absolutely packed crowd at C’s – the tiny bar where it all started six years ago. A large amount of nightlife heavyweights in attendance made it a reunion of sorts, as Antidote parties are where many of the city’s crews trace their birth. Hopefully, within the endless stream of people coming through C’s door, there were a few newbies who will be inspired to inject their own creativity into the scene.

DJ OF THE MONTH:

Shanghai Ultra

Founding member of the VOID crew, Shanghai Ultra is not only one of the most influential promoters in town, having brought out the likes of Robert Hood and Juan Atkins, but also the city’s only masked DJ. Originally from the Scotland, the Fifer keeps his true identity secret as he prefers to let his music doing the talking. In the course of a long career that is now in its third decade, he’s released music on multiple underground labels and often surprises crowds with tracks fresh out of his studio. In the over-crowded DJ market in Shanghai, he is truly one of the few who is both dedicated to his craft and passionate about the development of China’s electronic scene. Catch him at his favourite club The Shelter on the 8th where he has a guest spot at the Bass-Ment night and then again on the 24th for his VOID residency.