Weekend Live Music Roundup: JUE Festival Continues ... and So Do the Rumors
Remember two weeks ago I mentioned that Avril Lavigne will come in May? Nobody from the Pinggu Music Festival bothered to make anything official, but it's getting surprisingly serious all of a sudden. First, there's Ladytron listing the festival in their tour schedule. Then we've been told that musicians you might occasionally see on British TV shows like Little Boots, KT Tunstall and Editors are confirmed. So far, we've also got names including Canadian band Hot Hot Heat and Finnish Negative. But Pinggu is HERE! The Tangshanese must be thrilled.
No matter whether or not those rumors are true, May is more than a month away, and there are gigs in the meantime that we are guaranteed to see. At least that's what I've been told. JUE Festival has two shows scheduled on Friday: unique folk group Shanren plucking weird instruments at Tango (formerly known as The Star Live) by Lama Temple and local young powers like Mr. Graceless and Me Guan Me gathering at D-22 in Wudaokou. Same night at Zhangzizhong Lu, Alliance Française is so enthusiastic to show you how beautiful the language is, that they invited rock, indie and electronic bands from four different French-speaking countries to play at Yugong Yishan. They even decided to make the show free (get tickets from Alliance Française locations).
Doing a world tour is not easy, but indie rockers The Besnard Lakes have promised to stop by MAO Livehouse on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Ningxia folky-rock gang led by Buyi will have their celebration at 2 Kolegas, and punk ladies Hang On The Box will bring a few girl bands together at D-22.
Here are a few more to check out:
Friday (Mar 18)
Friendship First
Red Pirates, Low Bow and Boys No.6, three decent rock bands invite you to join. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 9.30pm. 2 Kolegas
Mr. Graceless, Me Guan Me, Street Kill Strange Animals
Local rock young leaders gather. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students) 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)
Mars En Folie 2011
Fleurent-Didier, Cloé du Trèfle, Alex Nevsky and Aliose play Francophone rock and indie pop. Free (tickets available at Alliance Française locations starting Mar 10). 7.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
Shanren
Wild-west-Chinese folk, reggae-rockified. RMB 80 RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. Tango 3rd Floor (formerly The Star Live)
Japan Earthquake Benefit Concert
Young folk rock band Nan Wu, Not There and more bands gather to throw a chrity concert to support Japan after the Earthquake. All revenue goes to charity. RMB 50. 9pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)
Amazing Fabão
Brazilian singer and guitarist interprets bossa nova, samba and MPB (Música Popular
Brasileira) tunes. Free. 9.30pm. Alanting Live Bar & Café (8571 5168)
Saturday (March 19)
The Besnard Lakes
Canadian indie rock quartet, joined by local rockers Maze. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 9pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)
Dafay & Skyscraper
Simple music with simple lyrics. RMB 40. 9.45pm. VA Cafe and Bar (5844 3638)
The Hot Club of Beijing
Falf French and half Chinese Gypsy jazz. RMB 50. 9.30pm. CD Blues Cafe and Bar (6506 8288)
Hang On The Box
One of the oldest girl punk bands rebuilds their scene. Coldcase and Summer Tribe join in. RMB 50. RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)
Made in Ningxia
Buyi, Wu &The Side Effects and Nucleus's northwest rock session. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
