Shanghai

It was a freezing day with fluffy snows. We had our second global Smirnoff Experience event here in Shanghai. The venue was called “Shanghai Sculpture Space”. This place is usually used for exhibition of art in Shanghai, but tonight it had changed its appearance for a huge party space waiting for Shanghai’s nightlife crowd patiently and quietly.

Once I got inside, there was an invitation to try one of 1320 different kinds of original cocktails made with Smirnoff vodka and areas with cutting edge technology and installation arts. Even though it was freezing inside the venue, it started to get hotter with the heat of the crowds.

The main hitter of the event was a band called HARD-FI from UK. They just got 1st place in the UK chart for their latest album “Once Upon a Time In the West”. So they are hot! At the press conference, I had a chance to do an interview with them. They told me that they were really excited to collaborate with the Chinese Shanxi drummers. Their concept of the live was “East meets West” as they said. Once they showed up on the stage, they harmonized well with the Chinese band. Not only their music was good, but also their skill to entertain the crowd was so nice. It was very satisfying live.

And of course the final act, DJ Sasha killed it! His melodious and beautiful sound made all the Chinese crowd dance and jump. He made me sure that the power of trance music is big anywhere in the world.

When I look back the event as a whole, I have to say that the Moscow event was different as it was a bit bigger. However, this is Shanghai. Their club scene has only just begun. Little by little, their art, music and the city are getting together. I felt the silent power packed in this city on this night.