Yuyintang was closed by city authorities on Friday night but news reaches us that the venue will reopen and the forthcoming shows set for the end of this month and next will go ahead as planned.
Much remains up in the air, but it looks like good news for the venue. Whether they will get all the equipment that was confiscated back or not remains to be seen.
On Friday night, officers arrived and told the venue owners there were problems with overcrowding and they would have to shut. Yuyintang people said there were only about 40 or 50 people at the livehouse on Friday night, however, they had been expecting increased pressure from the police in the run up to the Expo. Owners originally stated they thought it would be closed for at least a month.
Yuyintang is no stranger to police interference. It was closed down in its former location and seems to be the first choice closure when the authorities decide to make a sweep on the local nightlife.
Numerous acts are scheduled to play there in the next few weeks: Xiu Xiu China Tour on May 2, The Inspector Cluzo on May 3, Sahara Hotnights on May 8 and Frank Turner on May 14. These gigs are probably safe to go ahead at Yuyintang. Check back for updates.
Were you there on Friday night? Leave comments telling us what happened if you were.
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Well, goodness gracious me. Overcrowding to blame, eh? Well: better shut down Line 8, that's always overcrowded. Also, most of Xujiahui around the Metro City Plaza and Tianyaqiao food street at the weekend, as there's always a dangerous amount of people there during Saturdays. While you're getting at the "overcrowded" places, you might want to start to limit visitor numbers in the Lujiazui area and the Bund as well. Oh wait, no: You're making money from those, they can't possibly shut.
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It was the "Administrative Department", not fire safety or the cultural bureau or the Chengguan goons. Considering that under a hundred at Yuyintang is far from a fire hazard, and that it was a special department, it seems to be a warning gesture. Great news that they may be able to reopen. But it does feel like a warning to be careful - or else.
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Why can't Shanghai authorites embrace our dark side and abandon their attempts to 'clean up' the town. This is what the out-of-towners WANT to see. My own event, the May 22 SubGenius Devival, had to be moved from a name club after the owner got, rightfully so, 'cold feet.' But the show will go on!
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