One Republic Rocked Shanghai!

hats at concert

One Republic rocked Shanghai Saturday night! We were front and center to experience a concert, Shanghai style. The arena was packed with a young crowd who amazingly knew all the lyrics and sang along all night. And they came dressed to the max with quirky and stylish outfits. Check out the hats on these girls who had on pearls with their proper dresses. There was even skin showing on some teens with skimpy outfits. Quite the range of fashion statements!

As far as concert behavior, yOne republicou can tell they are just now getting rock concerts from the US here. Finally standing when the band took the stage, the crowd didn’t know quite what to do when the band stopped for a pause before the encore. Fortunately, I knew from past experience that there would surely be an encore so leave it to my big mouth to shout out, “Encore!” and start clapping, which then rippled throughout the arena as everyone joined in with me. Yea, that’s me–inciting crowds is what I do best!

Hopefully, the band will come back soon and won’t be banned. Ryan T. was pretty sassy with his comments on not being able to access YouTube from China and some other “freedom” references and his joking about his “security” force, i.e. the government guards by the stage. The crowd loved when he spoke a little Chinese and told a story about going to the Armani Store in the “fancy” mall next to their hotel (the Four Seasons) and how he loved the smell of the store which turned out to be a car fragrance tag hanging by the air vent vs. a fancy candle or perfume. That’s China!

Exploring Shanghai’s Music Scene-Harry Potter to One Republic

CD Shop

Music Blackboard

Cannot Be silenced

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I am absolutely loving music more than ever since I came to Shanghai. I think it is a combination of watching less TV and thus having more time to just read, write and listen to music plus being exposed to new and different music. I’m listening to my new favorite, Wake Me Up by Avicii that I saw on China MTV. Check it out! We also discovered a “music alley” when we were wandering around this past weekend. Violin and piano shops line this street near the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in the former French Concession area as well as CD shops (yes, not everyone downloads their music apparently) and cute cafés.

We also are starting to get out and see live music. This week we went to the beautiful Shanghai Oriental Center to see the Shanghai Baroque Chamber Orchestra perform the music score from the Harry Potter movies. All you Potter Geeks (yes, Kaplans and Hannah-talking to you!) this was amazing–violinists proudly displaying their house colors, mainly Gryffindor burgundy/gold scarves. Hearing those familiar tones from movies I have seen too many times to count plus the narrator telling the story in Chinese between scores was fascinating. Yes, we were among the few people without kids in tow but we had a great time.Harry Potter Concert

Now, this Saturday we have front row seats to see One Republic at the Shanghai Grand Stage. Two years ago, I got to introduce One Republic when they did a concert at my new store opening in Seattle and as they rocked the parking lot, I got to dance backstage-truly a moment I will never forget. Seeing them again will bring back lots of great memories. Can’t wait to keep on exploring the music scene here. Next up, live jazz in one of the many clubs here in Shanghai!