5 Shanghai Music Festivals to Hit Up Over the May Holiday

By Erica Martin, April 26, 2017

That's takes a look at this festival-packed long weekend.

Apr 29 - 30: Crazy Lotus Experience

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This very involved event organized by Rainbow Gao of The Mansion features two packed days of electronic music and communty events, including a pillow fight. The all-access festival pass gets you three free drinks and free entry to a slew of afterparties at several Shanghai nightclubs. See event listing for more details.

Highlights:
April 29:
China Beatbox Champion Zhang Ze

Taiwan artist Chiu Pi's experimental electronic music (he's also holding a Buddhism dance class)

April 30:
French DJ Steo Le Panda... who performs dressed up as a panda (photo above)
German deep house DJ Peer Kusiv

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Details: Apr 29-30, 1-11pm, presale: 240RMB per day, 380RMB for festival pass; door: 280RMB per day, 480RMB for festival pass. Cool Docks, see event listing.

Apr 29 - May 1: Strawberry Music Festival

Strawberry Music Festival 2017 — Events — That's Shanghai — thatsmags.com

Though its Beijing counterpart was abruptly canceled last week, this annual festival by Beijing record label Modern Sky is on schedule for May holiday. Expect a diverse roster with a few big international names (like Charlie XCX) and a strong line-up of veteran Chinese festival performers, like Re-TROs and New Pants.

Highlights:
April 29:
UK post-punk band The Vaccines

American instrumental post-rockers Caspian

April 30:
Japanese hip-hop legend DJ Krush

Beijing post-punk/electronic band Re-TROs (重塑雕像的权利) - see our feature on them here.

May 1:
British pop star Charlie XCX

Beijing dance pop band New Pants (新裤子)

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Details: Apr 29-May 1, 1-11pm, RMB380 per day, RMB780 for festival pass. Expo Park, see event listing.

Apr 29 - May 1: Midi Festival Taihu

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Okay, this may not be Shanghai, but close enough. After a fallow season last fall, this longstanding festival returns to Tai Lake with three days of music, camping and an onsite swimming pool. The line-up features a mix of Chinese and international bands that span the gamut of genres, including folk, rock, electronic music and a generous serving of metal.

Highlights:
April 29:
French post-rockers Totorro

Chinese metal band Twisted Machine (扭曲机器)

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April 30:
American deathcore band Whitechapel

Folk singer ZhaoLei (赵雷)

May 1:
British power metal group Dragonforce

French electropop artist Lescop

Details: Apr 29-May 1, 1-11pm, presale: 150RMB per day, 400RMB for festival pass; door: 180RMB per day, 450RMB for festival pass. Taihu Midi Park, see ticketing site.

Apr 30 - May 2: JZ Spring

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Over 100 local and international jazz musicians converge in Jing’an for the first of JZ’s two annual music festivals. Brooklyn Interdenominational Choir, Giovanni Tommaso Trio and Peter Erskine Trio will perform at the Masters Concerts that take place each night at the Shanghai Centre Theatre, which are the only shows that have a cover charge. During the day, Jing'an Park and the surrounding areas will offer free concerts and activities by an eclectic mix of performers.

Highlights:
April 30:
Jazz vocalist Jade Lee

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May 1:Funk troupe Howhy

Giovanni Tommaso Trio

May 2:
Peter Erskine Trio (pictured above)

Details: Apr 30-May 2, 10.30am-9.30pm, free entry (RMB180-280 for Masters Concerts). Various locations.

Apr 30 - May 1: Springwave Sunset Electronic Dance Music Festival

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This festival from Taiwan returns to Shanghai for its second year, bringing with it a major push toward international superstar DJs. Several huge names in mainstream EDM, including Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki, will perform with all the usual EDM bells, whistles and glowsticks over the course of two days at Shanghai Shendi Ecology Park.

Highlights:
April 30:
Dmitiri Vegas & Like Mike (pictured above)

May 1:
Martin Garrix

Steve Aoki

Details: Apr 30-May 1, 2.30pm-late, presale: RMB580 per day, door: RMB780 per day. Shanghai Shendi Ecology Park, see event listing.

For more things to do in Shanghai over the May holiday, check out our Events Section.

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