Chengdu

Just when I think P.K.14 can't get any better live, they absolutely blow the lid off LITTLE BAR, which is currently celebrating its 16th anniversary, no small feat for anywhere, let alone a small club in China.

The most energetic show out of the week string I witnessed. Unhinged, crowdsurfing, the first time I used a tripod and captured the entire show. I had one final group meal with the band, and the opener pictured, HI PERSON, joined us. A local band from Chengdu. They amazed me.

As we ate, they circled around Haisong, wide-eyed as he told a story that I will never know what was said. Part of me would love to have audio from these dinner conversations, but I just had to smile and know that something great was being said, as I dare not record such a thing. One of those transitional moments where I would never want to be anywhere else in a million years.  Yang Haisong is an undeniable pillar of the Chinese scene, running multiple record labels, bands, and laying the groundwork for much more.

My computer died again minutes before the opener took the stage. one of the few other people in the balcony with me kept pouring me glasses of Baileys, asking me what was up. I told him about my computer and how my two backup systems are mac only. We drank and drowned our sorrows in a fierce set by PK14, and when the night ended, he said he could help. In the morning, he picked me up in his Audi, brought me to his local guy while listening to Chinese death metal, who will have it fixed tomorrow for 10% of the cost of the Apple store. He then dropped me off at PROXIMITY BUTTERFLY's practice space, another local Chengdu band, where they played a set for me. Their little girl schooled me in Chinese.

Chengdu is like every other Chinese city I have visited, slowed to 50%. My cold went away in 2 days, I'm convinced due to 4 meals a day of Sichuan pepper-laden food. You can catch a breath, cross the street somewhat normally. The cars drive a normal pace. Much has happened in the last few days. The last 2 weeks, some of the best I've experienced. I will see PK14 one final time in Beijing in a few weeks. Until then, a few killer Chengdu local bands letting me into their practice space, then onto Beijing. Onward, upward. More soon. Cheers.