The nomadic and experiential nightclub SYSTEM just marked its 4th anniversary last weekend with a two-day celebration at Push Plaza, an art center in Shanghai.

For a club without a permanent venue, SYSTEM has become known for its roaming, experimental spirit: the anniversary event included a retrospective art installation titled “WE ARE THE SYSTEM,” created in collaboration with creative studio BLACKAUDIO, which projected photographs and moving images onto a scaffolded structure—SYSTEM’s approach in capturing the breath, gaze, and emotions of ravers under booming sound waves.

While its cult following was out en masse to celebrate its birthday, SYSTEM’s musical lineup for the event was clearly the highlight. The hosts brought back longtime favorites from its roster, including Chace, Mola Oddity, and Frankfurt Helmet. These indie bands and artists helped bridge the gap between China’s rock/alternative scene and the club world, creating moments where the audience simply danced together, regardless of genre.

On the international side, SYSTEM hosted heavyweight electronic names: Towa Tei, a legendary Japanese DJ/producer once in Deee-Lite. Emerging European artists MELL G (Germany) and machìna (Japan) also traveled to Shanghai for the celebration. The closing DJ for the weekender, however, was Ashley Yuka, aka Yuka Mizuhara (who you might recognize as Kiko Mizuhara’s younger sister), who delivered a bubbly, colorful set.

Mentored by Towa Tei since 2015, Yuka learned to DJ on vinyl and has since built a career in both modeling and music, hosting a monthly radio show on NTS and producing ambient electronic work. So the performance at SYSTEM this weekend was also a meet-up between the mentor and mentee.

SYSTEM’s 4-year milestone underlines its commitment to bringing fresh, global-forward sounds to Shanghai’s nightlife. As the party collective steps into its fifth year, the question isn’t “What’s next?” but rather, “How wild can we all go together?”
Cover Image via SYSTEM.









