Mao Livehouse Shanghai moving in March
With an 800-person capacity, and equipped with possibly the best acoustics for live music in Shanghai, Mao Livehouse has been one of live music lovers' favorite spots since it was opened by Red Town in September 2009.
Although forced to move from its current location, a new site has been chosen and plans are underway.
“Mao Huaihai will close on February 1, and Mao Luwan will open in mid-March,” says company representative Lisa Movius. “We have the keys and are starting the renovations.”
The new location will be at 308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu, close to the former 4Live, a popular live music location that once led the city’s live music scene until it was also forced to close its doors.
Mao has always valued the spirit of integration, freedom and happiness. In terms of integration, the new Mao Livehouse Shanghai will get improvement to better serve all people.— Li Dalong, director of Mao Livehouse Shanghai and lead vocalist of Crystal Butterfly
“To us, what really matters is not whichever block we are close to, but the function of the house," says Li Dalong, vice president of SOMA-Art Communications Co.Ltd., director of Mao Livehouse and lead vocalist of Crystal Butterfly. "It’s very difficult to find a house over 10 meters high in Shanghai, so we are very pleased to have such a great location in Shanghai's downtown area.”
Movius says the new space will have two areas: a large main area and a smaller side room with a bar, which can become a second, small, “jam-friendly” stage.
“Of course everyone is concerned about prices issue, whether admission tickets and beverages will cost more,” adds Li. “But prices are not set by Mao, but rather by the artists and their broker companies. But, if we can, I think we'll keep our low-price strategy.”
The last performance at Mao Livehouse on Huaihai Lu will be held on January 29; details of the show are still being hashed out.
For those who are reluctant to say goodbye, the venue’s Douban page is hosting an online memorial to the venue, encouraging people to upload their photos taken at the current Mao before March. Once collected, the photos will be shown in a photography exhibition at the new site.
“People from all walks of life gather [at Mao] for a certain artist," says Li. "Mao has always valued the spirit of integration, freedom and happiness. In terms of integration, the new Mao Livehouse Shanghai will get improvement to better serve all people.”
