March is a kicker for sure. After full houses at the MB Arena for the Eagles and Usher last week (more on that later), it’s the turn of the underground to bark loudest. We’ve been building up to this in China’s Southern Capital for quite a few years (don’t hate, Nanjing). While Beijing regularly sees a slew of great shows across any given weekend, Shanghai has never seen a weekend like this one before.

All venues are packed full of juicy goodness, from the JUE Festival offerings of Besnard Lakes and Vitalic on Friday night (plus a literary battle and the opening night of ENTER at Source), and a showcase from Maybe Mars bands Snapline and AV Okubo on Saturday night, to uprising local band Rainbow Danger Club‘s Where Maps End album launch, to Beijing band Hedgehog’s latest return to the capital, to the ambitiously titled “Longest Nite Ever”, an 8pm – 8am extravaganza over at the new Hennessy sponsored Mixing Room at the Mercedes Arena. Finally, there is a benefit for Japan run by the Beat Bandits. Run along to Lune around midnight to give your 20RMB to a good cause.

We are sure there are other bits and pieces happening, but this all seems to reflect a new appetite for live entertainment in Shanghai. There are more (and better) venues and with Mao Livehouse set to open next weekend, it finally looks as if Shanghai might be developing a live music scene worthy of her status as one of the world’s most important city… get out there and support your local music scene this weekend Shanghai.