Massive New Mao Livehouse at Wukesong Serves West Side With Scene Stalwarts
It took long enough but the new and officially branded Mao Livehouse Wukesong is up and running. The 800-seat capacity venue – part of Shijilemeng company who have already opened five different Mao branches across the country, including in Chongqing, Shanghai, and Kunming – quietly started operating earlier this month before throwing an opening party last week to celebrate. Here’s the lowdown:
Located in the up-and-coming mall complex Hi-Up (right outside the subway station with direct access from Exit B), which is essentially a subterranean, open-faced version of The Village in Sanlitun, the area has plenty of eateries to fill up on beforehand. We checked out the new Pyro Pizza that luckily still has its late-night happy hour despite catering to a completely different clientele here than in their Wudaokou location.
While the winter plastic coverings outside each and every restaurant took away much of the appeal of the "strip" (though I kind of enjoy any dressing down of a mall in China), I can imagine the offerings providing a decent option to get a breather and booze up before a concert, or even for a cheeky drink in between sets.
I have to say, the new Mao venue impressed. In many ways it's the perfect-sized venue, and similar to that of the original (and now deserted) Gulou Dongdajie Mao Livehouse if it was coupled with the layout of the third floor of Tango. Everything is allocated to the one 700sqm space, with a bar hidden to the right of the stage along with the bathrooms, and a row of lockers (and a vending machine, strangely) in the back corner. Stairs to the left of the stage lead to a VIP section, though I wouldn’t be surprised if that space will be open to the public during smaller events.
The real meat of the place, though, is its simple and effective stage – not too deep, not too high – and its sound system. For their opening gig, the venue hosted heavyweight Ningxia northwest folk rockers Buyi and Yunnan southwest reggae outfit Kawa and everything felt right from the solid sound, to the flow of the space.
While Wukesong isn’t exactly a prime location for a live music venue, the fact of the matter is, there are a large number of patrons and music-goers in Haidian that will surely welcome having a place to call their own, especially if you include the university crowds a little further north.
Their bookings thus far indicate that Mao Livehouse Wukesong will have no problem showcasing touring bands from both here and abroad. Notable smaller acts booked so far include Beijing melodic hardcore band Life Awaits, who played over the weekend, while Thailand post-rockers Inspirative will perform this upcoming weekend. It will also entice fans of more seasoned mainstream headliners like Mr. Honey and Brozzers (something that the old Mao Livehouse was known for too) and world music troupes (the Russian-Mongolian group Namgar get in their licks this later this month).
With the idea to have earlier shows that end by 10.30pm so as to get folks back to the subway on time (hot tip: the night bus to the center of town I might actually be quicker than the subway), Mao Livehouse might just be the perfect weekday main course or, better yet, a satisfying appetizer for the weekend.
Mao Livehouse Wukesong
G23 Huaxing LIVE, 69 Fuxing Road, Wukesong, Haidian District (6503 5168)
海淀区海淀区复兴路69号华熙LIVE hi-up G23
Photos: Will Griffith, Elie Rosenberg
