City-wide Fete De La Musique brings free music to Shanghai

After a successful local debut in 2010, the Fête De La Musique festival returns to Shanghai with an opening concert on Saturday, June 18, and live shows throughout the day on Sunday, June 19.­­­

­­­

The outdoor music fest will feature more than 15 professional and amateur Chinese and French acts performing at 13 venues around the city, including 800 Show, Yu Garden, Lianyang Shopping Mall and Mao Live House. (Address at the bottom of the post.)

Famous acts to perform during the two days include popular French band Curry & Coco, French rising star Joyce Jonathan -- who sings in Chinese -- Shanghai indie rock band Sonnet (十四行诗) and Yu Guo (羽果).

“We wanted to bring the French ambiance of freedom to Shanghai,” says Pan Weijun, communications officer of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai. “There is no cost so all can enjoy it.”

The Fête De La Musique originated in France, where it is known as World Music Day, and takes place each year in June. The street party has been adapted by more than 350 cities as a festive way to ring in the summer season.

The Shanghai Fête De La Musique festival was held in 2010 for the first time to celebrate the Shanghai Expo. More than 40 bands or ensembles performed in various places around the city.

The June 18 opening concert at 800 Show features:

• Moonrock (Folk/Jazz/Shoegaze), 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
• An Lai Ning (Folk), 4:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
• Joyce Jonathan (Pop-Folk / Acoustic), 5:45 p.m.-6.45 p.m.
• Sonnet (Indie Rock), 7 p.m.-7:40 p.m.
• Yu Guo (Pop Rock), 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
• CURRY & COCO (Electro-Pop), 9:20 p.m.-10:20 p.m.
• R3 (DJ), 10:20 p.m.-11 p.m.

Live shows on June 19 include:

• Thierry Miroglio (French percussionist ), 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Rockbund Art Museum
• Dana Shellimre (Soul & Indie), Tinho Pereira (Jazz), Makabi (Salsa band) and Wink Jazz Band, 2 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Wharf 1846 
• PGP (Jazz, R&B), Plastic Chocolate (Pop Rock), Tambou (Dance and percussions), 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Sinan Mansions

For a complete listing of concerts in Chinese and French, visit the Fête De La Musique. All events free.

getting there

800 Show
800 Changde Lu, near Changping Lu
常德路800号, 近昌平路
www.800show.net

Lianyang Shopping Mall
185 Fang Dian Lu, near Dingxiang Lu 
芳甸路185号，近丁香路

Mao Livehouse
308 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Jianguo Zhong Lu 
重庆南路308号, 近建国中路
+ 86 21 6445 0086

Rockbund Art Museum
14 Huqiu Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu
虎丘路14号,近北京东路
+86 21 3310 9985

Wharf 1846
 600 Wai Ma Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Er Lu
 外马路600号, 近中山东二路

Sinan Mansion
53 Sinan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu
思南路53号，近复兴中路