Tag: live music

The Wanch to Reopen in 2022

The Wanch team announced on their website and Facebook page today that the popular live music venue will reopen in early 2022. The new location will be just along the street from its previous incarnation at 90-92 Jaffe Road in what was previously Uptown 90. That’s opposite Joe Bananas.

Here is the post:

“Hi Everyone,
It has been challenging times since the pandemic hit worldwide in 2020. Times have been difficult for individuals, businesses, and the arts. It was a difficult decision to suspend operation of The Wanch back in August 2020, but a necessary one. At that time we made a promise to Hong Kong and the music community to reopen The Wanch when the time was right.

Well that time has come as on Dec. 1st we take possession of the venue that will become the new home of The Wanch at 90-92 Jaffe Rd, 1st Floor Henan Building (Formerly Uptown 90). Renovation starts the same day and we are targeting to open the doors with our first show sometime in Feb. 2022.

We will keep you all updated on the progress of the renovation with weekly pictures & videos on our website, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. We look forward to rocking Hong Kong once again and joining all the other music venues that have been keeping live music alive. We look forward to being part of Hong Kong’s music scene & community once again.

Take care & watch for our updates.”

Many of Hong Kong’s musical legends created marvellous memories in the old location. Let’s hope the new Wanch inspires a new generation to create and inspire the beauty and sensuous pleasure that is ‘live music’.

The Wanch
1/F Henan Building (Formerly Uptown 90)
90-92 Jaffe Road
Wanchai

Charmaine Fong Lost & Found Live!

There is still some live music taking place locally, Charmaine Fong sold out the HK Coliseum for three nights with her Lost & Found concerts.

Many celebrities and fellow musicians including Rubberband enjoyed what felt like a night from a different time.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210827-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-hhbCkrg

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210828-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-R3B3bZH

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210827-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-sd9Gq5P

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210827-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-XrppSx4

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210827-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-Cwq3r9F

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210829-Charmaine-Fong-Lost-Found-HK-Coliseum/i-N7Xtf2P

Regret’s Eponymous Hardcore Debut

New hardcore band Regret have released an eponymous 7-track debut EP on cassette and through bandcamp.

A veteran of the local music scene singer Riz also plays guitar in Dagger, fronted the massively popular King Ly Chee and runs the popular Unite Asia hardcore music website.

Commenting on his new band and their debut EP Riz said “We were just looking to play something that was more straight-ahead hardcore punk whose simplicity and directness is better suited to capture the intense emotions we all have as HongKongers living through the tumultuous past couple of years.”

Regret‘s seven tracks, including We Exist, the band’s debut single released in March, are about political turmoil, minority rights, police brutality and censorship.

“The past couple of years have been heavy on the people of Hong Kong, but then you’re seeing similar issues pop up in Myanmar, Thailand, Chile, USA, and everywhere else,” commented Riz in an interview.

“Though you may find your own situation so utterly hopeless, seeing others fighting the same causes brings a sense of camaraderie. So instead of letting all of these dark, chaotic, uncertain emotions eat us up inside, we’re getting it out through this music.”

Regret: Riz, Kuro, Egas

Lucid Express Debut Release Wellwave

Originally know as Thud, the band have changed its name to Lucid Express and released a debut track Wellwave.

Lucid Express’s eponymous debut album will be out on 16 July. You can pre-order the 7 track release on vinyl, cassette and CD from http://smarturl.it/lucidexpress

OzMium Release 3 Track Debut EP ‘The Lion Rises’

Hong Kong-based heavy metal band OzMium released a debut 3 track EP this month, The Lion Rises, on bandcamp.

OzMium – Vincent Ratcliffe, Conrad Chow, Tadeo Don Ashish, Jerry Justin and Gregory Bell – self-recorded and produced debut “looks to capture the band’s creative efforts during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic lockdown”. Or as they put it “We aim to revive the 70s/80s classic and thrash metal revolution with a hint of modern flavor”.

Hybrid Stereo, New Single Enigma

Alt-rock band Hybrid Stereo have released a new music video featuring their third single Enigma.

Enigma is available on 20 April on all music platforms. The band describes the new release this way “This is the third track that we’ve released from our upcoming EP. The track itself showcases more of our heavier side with the lyrics dedicated to those who can’t help but beat themselves up with their own thoughts. This song hopes to remind everyone to take any chance that comes, capture any glimpse of light, and embrace it, letting it set within. It is good to be kind to oneself (and others around).”

Hybrid Stereo are Andrea Curtis (vocals), Zerron Qym (guitar), Shaun Apellido (guitar), Bryan Mendoza (bass) and Jm Inot (drums) and you can listen to their previous singles Into the Light and Broken Shards on youtube.

The music video was filmed and edited by Hans Martin and Renell Santiago.