Celebrate 15 Years of Cangku AKA Soi Bar Tonight (Jun 1)

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Jun 1, 2023 11:31 am | Add a comment | 131 reads

The past few years have been a tough time for the local music scene in the capital, especially in the Gulou area, and we’ve witnessed many a tragic demise of some of our favorite music venues (RIP Temple). However, it is this tragedy that makes stories of places that have kept going all the more heartwarming -- and one such story is that of Cangku, also known as Soi Bar.

Despite venue changes and closures, owner Van G has kept the spirit of Cangku alive for 15 years and they’re celebrating their 15th anniversary tonight (Jun 1) and into the weekend. The three-day celebration will be taking place in the basement of MOONEE which Van recently took over and has officially christened the new Cangku (don’t worry, Soi Bar near Andingmen is still alive and well).

Before the anniversary celebrations all kick off tonight, I talked to Van about how it feels to be going for 15 years, what will be happening for the anniversary, and what he has planned now that he’s taken over the basement at MOONEE.

Congratulations on your 15th anniversary, how does it feel to still be going in the capital after so long?
Thanks Katie. Well, to be honest, I don’t feel a thing about doing this for so long, and still going. Mainly because it’s my life, and it’s easy to do things I’m good at and love. Last year was difficult for everyone, and for the love of music and to keep the scene going, I started running a livestreaming channel to privately broadcast locked-door live shows in my tiny bar [Soi] close to Andingmen. Many people told me that they really enjoyed watching my broadcasts and considered them as a form of hope and something wonderful during the darkest times. These comments and appreciation actually keep me going and make my efforts of doing what I’ve been doing most valuable and bring a strong sense of vocation.

What are some of your best memories from the past 15 years?
It’s a tough question. 15 years is so long to recall good memories specifically. But, if I had to say a few, it would be those great jams we had, and great parties like our 5th anniversary party, or our 2021 Halloween party. Also, the first Open Mic event after lockdown in 2020. As I said, there are so many great things and great people I’ve surely missed. I hope I can have many, many more memories like this the new location we’ve moved to. We have already had some awesome shows in the first month since I have taken over.

What do you have planned for the anniversary?
We’ve planned three nights of celebration [Jun 1-3]. We’re starting off with a Harridans x Phuture Vulture show on Jun 1. The Harridans really need no introduction, they are one of the best bands in Beijing for sure, and all of the band members are longtime friends, so I invited them to play on our anniversary day. The surprise is Phuture Vulture featuring Harridans for the night. They didn’t get to play at [the cancelled] What The Folkstival, so this will be the only chance to see them playing together for the first and also last time. If you make it to the show, please don’t miss out, because they are so awesome, I saw them rehearsing, and it was mind-blowing, so good I got an “eargasm”.

The celebration will be taking place in the basement of MOONEE aka MOONEE Underground which you recently took over, is this now officially the new Cangku/Soi or something different and why did you decide to take over this location?
Yeah, the celebration will be in the underground club at MOONEE. I took over the space on May 1, and it’s officially the new Cangku, I won’t call it Soi anymore, because my last tiny bar [Soi] is still there and functioning. I’d like to keep the name for that place, which has more of a hippie vibe and is a smaller, secret place with a new manager.

The reason for taking over that location is obvious: It has a good location which is within walking distance of the Guloudajie subway station, and there are no close residential buildings near the front door, so people hanging out outside won’t get in trouble. It’s also very spacious inside, the venue has a max capacity of nearly 300 people, which is perfect. The decor is high-level and it has a great-quality sound system, I’ve made this place sound almost perfect since I took over. The shows we have had in the past month were awesome, and we’ve received good feedback from both the audience and musicians. People who know me know my priority for building a good venue is the sound quality.

What will happen to the Soi Bar near Andingmen?
The small Soi Bar near Andingmen is still open, just with a new manager. Everything will continue to be the same as before in that location, there will be many secret jams and hangouts. If you listen closely, you can even hear the drum tower’s heart beating from there.

Your tagline is #MakeGulouRockAgain, do you think that now that Covid is behind us, Gulou’s nightlife scene may see a revival?
I certainly believe so. We lost Temple Bar, old DADA, old DDC, and Soi Baochao after the first Covid lockdown. Since then, Gulou, the so-called most artistic and rock n roll center of the capital, has been going on quietly and dully. But the revival of Gulou’s night scene is on the way back for sure. I’ve been living in this area for over ten years, and I will never stop trying to #MakeGulouRockAgain.

What do you have planned for the future of MOONEE Underground?
My plan is simple. I’ll make this spot the heart of the Gulou area, bringing more passion, creativity, and devotion to the Gulou rock scene.

If you want to stay up to date with everything Cangku related, you can follow the official WeChat account by scanning the QR code below.