What Happens When Both Eyes Are Open? Comments On The Recent Closures & Cancellations in Shanghai

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Without going into specifics, many small-mid sized players in the live music sector have often thrived (or in many cases survived) by flying under the radar, and operating under the assumption that where no trouble is caused, no trouble will be attracted. But this dynamic changes rather dramatically once public safety becomes an issue (and for good reason) – not just to local authorities, but to the entire country. It’s difficult to imagine how much pressure the MOC has placed on local authorities in Shanghai following the tragic events that transpired at the Bund on New Year’s Eve, but we’re sure there are a lot of people trying to make amends. The government reaction has been quick and thorough. Some examples:

  • MAO Livehouse is out of action until March 6th according to the latest.
  • Organizers have confirmed that “The Boys” China Tour has been cancelled in its entirety.
  • Just last Saturday the authorities turned up at the QSW Culture Centre and confiscated the passports of all the band members of Tycho. The band spent the whole day yesterday being questioned at the local police station and the Beijing show will be cancelled. [UPDATE: we’re jumping the gun a little – word from the promoter in Beijing is the show is still going forward…somehow…let’s wait and see].
  • 390 bar has been closed down indefinitely.
  • According to local performance agencies with close connections with the cultural bureau and PSB, no large-scale outdoor events are currently being approved nor will they be for the foreseeable future.

What this means for festival season and the rest of the year in live music is anyone’s guess.

eye open

Many people benefit from and depend on a vague one eye open, one eye closed inefficiency in full law enforcement (this applies across numerous industries, for better or worse) but once the panoptic vision of the state focuses in, the grey areas become illuminated, and in these moments we realise just how much can be taken for granted.

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