Since 2007, the esteemed Beijing independent record label Modern Sky has been organizing festivals across the country. They are back with a Winter lineup for that will warm the souls of indie fans in Shanghai. They are bringing in a variety of acts from Scandinavian pop to the electro-indie pop that's become so big in North America. While critically acclaimed names like Cat Power, The Cardigans and Tegan and Sara may get immediate attention, That's Online looks at all the artists playing the festival from Nov 28 to Dec 6. We also have a couple of tickets to give away, so read below for more details.
Free Energy
This five-piece Philadelphia group has drawn comparisons to The Cars for their energetic hooks. LCD Soundsystem mastermind and DFA Records guru James Murphy is a fan and produced the group's 2010 debut album Stuck on Nothing. While the record received a lot of positive reviews, Free Energy shines with an infectious live show. After a few line-up changes, the group has resolidified and released their sophomore album Love Sign earlier this year.
// Nov 28, 9pm, RMB100-120. On Stage, A2-101, Red Town, 570 Huaihai Xi Lu, by Hongqiao Lu 徐汇区淮海西路570号红坊艺术文化社区A2-101室, 近虹桥路
Tegan and Sara
Canadian twins Tegan and Sara have been releasing critically acclaimed indie-pop records since they were in their teens. They signed a major record label deal in 2000 to rock legend Neil Young's label and have steadily grown into indie rock vets. Their music has evolved with the times as they started as a folky act that has gradually added extra musical flourishes. Their last album Hearthrob debuted on the American charts at No. 3 and the group members admit it's their most commercial to date.
// Nov 29, 9pm, RMB220-280. MAO Livehouse, 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, by Jianguo Zhong Lu 重庆南路308号3楼, 近建国中路 (6445 0086)
The Cardigans
While this Swedish group will never fully escape their biggest hit "Love Fool" made famous from its appearance in Leonard DiCaprio's Romeo and Juliet, fans of The Cardigans are just happy that they are back. With over 15 million copies sold around the world, the five-piece group returned last year after a five year hiatus. The group initially formed in 1992 and have a strong back catalogue including their 1995 critically acclaimed sophomore album Life and 2003's country-tinged Long Gone Before Daylight.
// Nov 30, 8.30pm, RMB480-580. The Mixing Room and Muse, 1200 Shibo Dadao 世博大道1200号(5150 9199)
Club 8
This charming indie duo formed in 1995 in Sweden. Their 1996 debut Nouvelle boasted an anorak pop sound - a style of alternative rock music with roots to Scottish post-punk groups like Josef K and the 80s indie Britpop of The Smiths. The group's sound has evolved over eight albums with their melodic-dream pop infused with touches of varying music styles like trip hop, bossa nova and dub.
// Dec 1, 9pm, RMB150-180. MAO Livehouse, 3/F, 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, by Jianguo Zhong Lu 重庆南路308号3楼, 近建国中路 (6445 0086)
Efterklang
Named after the Danish word for “reverberation,” this trio certainly leaves an impression. They came from the same Copenhagen post-rock scene that produced Sigur Rós and Múm so expect plenty of epic soundscapes. Their 2010 album Magic Chairs won them an IMPALA European Indepdent Album of the Year award and their 2012 album Piramida received good reviews.
// Dec 3, 9pm, RMB100-120. On Stage. A2-101, Red Town, 570 Huaihai Xi Lu, by Hongqiao Lu 徐汇区淮海西路570号红坊艺术文化社区A2-101室, 近虹桥路
Cat Power
Since being discovered by members of Sonic Youth at a 1994 concert, Cat Power has been one of indie's biggest and most consistent stars. Her early records like 1998's Moon Pix and 2003's You Are Free are intimate portraits of a developing songwriter that remain highly acclaimed indie records. Over the past decade, she has stretched out working with musicians from the legendary Stax soul label of the 1960s on her 2006 album The Greatest. Her most recent record Sun was released in 2012 and was self-produced. It's a stylistic change with plenty of electronic flourishes that accent her always potent songwriting.
// Dec 6, 9pm, RMB380-480. Qianshuiwan Cultural Center, 179 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号, 近江宁路 (6266 3191)
WIN TICKETS
We have one ticket to give away to the Free Energy show and one to the Cat Power show. Just answer this question.
What year did Modern Sky start?
To win, just send your answers to this question with the subject line "Modern Sky (Shanghai)" to win@urbanatomy.com by Monday, November 25.
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