Review: DJ Shadow at Angel - “Better than Obama”

DJ Shadow
RMB 200, RMB 80 (advance).
9pm. Angel Club (6552 8888)

Friday night’s DJ Shadow show proved that when it comes down to it, standing room beats assigned seating any day of the week, even at a cramped and cornered place like Angel Club. Maybe it’s that big timers like Avril and Kanye require bountiful stage space and back up to perform; but two turntables, a mixer and a Serato-fitted laptop are all it takes for someone like Shadow to get a kick-ass party going (B-boy battles included).

Shadow’s two-hour set didn’t start until about half past midnight, and despite looking slightly fatigued (his plane didn’t land until 6pm), he spun some mind-blowing mixes of a most eclectic sort, ranging from hip-hop to '80s break beats to old school funk and soul, with some rock & roll and jungle tossed in from time to time; then, wrapping the evening up on a classic Mary J Blige joint.

As this was the place to be Friday night, plenty of tbj editors were on the scene, including former Urbane editor Alex Pasternack. Though initially unsure whether the RMB 200 ticket – more than the already-pricey RMB 150 originally reported – would be money worth spent, he repeatedly declared afterward that it “was better than Obama.”

For those who missed out on this long-awaited and highly-anticipated show, don’t fret: You still have a chance to catch some very fine turntable showmanship later this month when Stones Throw Records’ James Pants spins at White Rabbit on Nov 22. And be sure to stay tuned to the Beijinger for details on ensuing visits from DJs Qbert and Babu.

Update: You can read a review of DJ Shadow's Shanghai show here.