Noise Pollution: White Light White Tower Fest, The fin., Kenny Garrett, Alex Cummings Quartet
If last week were the floodgates opening, then this week the dam itself is bursting, engulfing every living organism and structure in its path, with only Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson on hand to save us from oblivion. And from giant prehistoric monsters. And he’s stuck in a video game. I might be mixing up my Dwayne Johnson movies (or am I?). With shows selling out left and right, bands from Kunming looking to make some noise, and plenty of more hard-hitting action across town this weekend, we are truly getting into the groove of live music mania.
Friday, Mar 9
White+, thruoutin, Hieletromen at Yue Space
White Light White Tower, the new space from the folks behind D-22 and XP, that crossovers visual arts, fashion, literature, music, labels and (you’re damn right) coffee, located at the BAITA Temple area in the west, kicks off its new monthly series in partnership with Yue Space that will bring to the capital the most exciting new bands from all over the country as well promote cooperation’s among independent labels and content platforms. A mouth full perhaps, but a mighty tasty one nevertheless. Night three steps outside the rock circle and instead puts together a hearty live electronic showcase in collaboration of the always game Ran Music (one of Beijing’s unsung electronic music labels) featuring the taut dynamic flows of white+, thruoutin, and Hikeletromen. Groovy. RMB 100
The fin. (JP) at Tango
After quickly selling out their previous headlining shows in Shanghai and Beijing last year, Japan’s The fin., who describe themselves as a cross between M83 and Phoenix, with a large dosage of chillwave acts Toro y Moi and Washed Out tossed in, will return to eight cities in China to present their new album. Oh, wait – of course this is sold out already. RMB 180 (FREE if you’re down to clown)
The Royal Engineers (NL), OK Beng at DDC
Inspired by the analog sound of the '70s, The Royal Engineers from Utrecht, The Netherlands, unleash their catchy pop-inflicted brand of groovy rock and roll, as they embark on their first China tour. Support from the equally infectiously ‘shame punk’ girl foursome OK Beng. RMB 80
Hang Nail, Uncle Bad, mystery band, DJ Priscilla at Temple
Ska punk, ferocious punk rock with a glam rocker frontman and mystery band (the second this weekend) which I have a very feeling will be a firecracker of a band. Trust me. Nevertheless, for those looking to shake loose, and rage with the best of them, you can’t do better. Read our recent interview with Hang Nail's flamboyant frontman Xiao Fei here. FREE
Interracial Staple, Susu at Yichang Cafe
Come and behold the comic babble, itty-bitty ditties, and incorrigible brand of variety entertainment from new (interracial perhaps) duo Interracial Staple. They will be preceded by a set by indie folk wordsmith Susu. RMB 70
Rhythm Traveler, Mr. Freeman, Self Portrait, Panda Eyes at School
Spring is in the air and local promoters Qingchun Zhizao are feeling the good vibes with a tender poppy lineup featuring self-described post-Brit-pop rockers Rhythm Traveler, pop rock fivesome Mr. Freeman, artsy indie rockers Self Portrait, and pop-punk ensemble Panda Eyes. RMB 100
Robella, Nightingale, Song Dai Ting at Mao Livehouse
A strange mix of jazz-pop, indie folk, and gothic metal as Mao Livehouse hosts three widely diverse bands including Robella, Song Dai Ting, and Nightingale – I guess you can tell which one is the metal one.
Whiskimage, Redundant Seconds at Soi Baochao
Electro-infused indie rock outfit Whiskimage joins long-standing melodic punk rockers Redundant Seconds for an evening of rowdy fun at the Baochao Hutong dive. RMB 55
Steve Blaque, Eric Allen, Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Steve Blaque, producer and guitarist for The Radiance alongside Americana singer-songwriter Eric 'Ol' Buck' Allen, and Raymond aka Rudra’s Sage, a folk artist and sitar player influenced by the sounds of the '60s. RMB 60
Li Eryang, Skolar at Mogu Space
Ukrainian independent electronic musician Skolar, who blends folk guitar and electronic beats, joins the '60s-evoking guitar maestro and singer-songwriter Li Eryang at Mogu Space in Xizhimen. RMB 60
The Hunters at Jianghu Bar
Beijing’s hottest crowd-pleasing outfit One of Beijing’s best foreign cover bands The Hunters combine old school funk, soul, and rock classics with intoxicating delivery. FREE
The Kenny Garrett Quintet at Blue Note
The Grammy award-winning saxophonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Garrett has garnered critical recognition for his versatility in jazz, blues, and R&B for over thirty years working with everyone – from Duke Ellington to Q-Tip. Catch the Detroit native perform at Blue Note with his band over this weekend. Read our recent interview with the jazz great and his links to Beijing here. RMB 460
The Rebel 5 at Modernista
The Rebel 5, formerly known as The Rotten 5, is a soul, R&B, and funk music ensemble covering some of the greatest songs of all times. Catch them working the dance floor at Modernista. FREE
Alex Cummings Quartet at East Shore Cafe
The New York-based singer and saxophonist is back in Beijing and is cutting loose on the circuit. His quintet will play well known American jazz standards along with original music that puts a twist on jazz, pop, and rock music all in one which features some of the music from his upcoming debut album. FREE
Saturday, Mar 10
South Acid Mimi, Plastic, Cephalosis, Mama Techno at Yue Space
The grand finale White Light - White Tower’s four-day takeover of Yue Space brings four distinctive acts from the Yunnan province. The much-hyped ladies of South Acid Mimi Dance Team will bring their synth-drunk electro freak show alongside the drunk sweat punk outfit Plastic, as well as the atmospheric coldwave duo Cephalosis (who I’ve dying to catch in the flesh) and the newly formed drum and bass frenetic volatile producer Mama Techno. Some new dangerous sounds from the south of China – yeah I’m pretty damn excited for this one. RMB 100
Residence A, Glow Curve, Bye Bye Noise, FM.E, Panda Eyes, at Omni Space
Ring in the New Year at Omni Space with Residence A, one of China’s great indie bands. They mix electronic, ambient, grunge and post-punk influences. They’re joined by the equally ambitious and bonafide Glow Curve, garage rock strokers Bye Bye Noise, pop rockers FM.E and indie poppers Panda Eyes down yonder. RMB 120
Rhonda, OK Beng, Wasted Laika, Husband Killer at 69 Café
Drawing influences from post-rock, post-punk, progressive metal and math rock, Rhonda have been a force of nature within the Beijing music scene since their formation in 2012. Join them as well as rising art punk favorites Wasted Laika, the infectious all female ‘shame punk’ outfit OK Beng and finally fresh-faced folk rockers Husband Killer. That’s a pretty killer lineup for the newly relocated 69 Café. RMB 60
Last Resort, Forgotten Children, mystery band, DJ Sacco, and Baron van West at Temple
Alright, a little metal, a little hardcore, three servings of punk, a blast of Shanghai shenanigans courtesy of Sacco and Baron van West, and once again another mystery band, which makes my guess from the previous night a little harder to guess. But once again, I bet I could get it right in three guesses. FREE
Lustre, Dirty J, Ykey, Y.A. and Pro-Z at LaiFu Livehouse
Rap and hip-hop are the name of the game this evening over at Shuangjing - catch rapper/singer Lustre, trap and R&B artist Dirty J, indie rapper and producer YKEY, Kunming-born female rapper Y.A., All-Star Tour rapper Pro-Z, and plenty more looking to make it big. New names, same game. RMB 120
The Deadly Phriends at DDC
Break out your Jerry Garcia cargos and bask in the nostalgia and awe of your fellow Deadheads as the newest Grateful Dead tribute band takes the stage at DDC to play all your favorite sprawling, rambunctious, and tender Dead songs. Led by Parker Trevathan (The Stable / Beijing Dead) and Jonathan Heeter (Not There / The Beijing Dead) the Deadly Phriends start with the Grateful Dead's Music then get a lot stranger. And funkier. RMB 50
Los Crasher, Ramblin’ Roze at School
After way too long, China's preeminent sleazy glam hard rockers Los Crasher return to School for a special performance and set list that’ll span their whole career. Opening up the night are friends and fellow tight-jeaned rock n' rollers with a bluesy vibe - Ramblin' Roze. RMB 80
Kenny & Teddy at Caravan
Kenny and Teddy are a piano, guitar and vocal duo that share their roots in traditional African music and rhythms and this is the core of their connection. From Mauritius and Ghana respectively, the duo have carved their own unique sound by combining their diverse backgrounds in music production - dabbling in everything from Afro-blues to neo-soul. RMB 60
Purgatory, Pisces, Mantuoluo, Zhao Wei, Wuzhang Fa at Mao Livehouse
Rock and all its nooks and crannies. Pop, metal, punk, electro-rock, ethnically flavorsome folk – and way too many dudes with bandanas. I really have no idea who any of these cats are, but I’ll give Wukesong’s Mao Livehouse the benefit of the doubt. This bad boy is all over the place. RMB 120
Wu Zhijun, Li Yong, Feng Wei, Song Tao, Nuomi, Sheng Zhi, Xiao Qi at Jianghu Bar
Go back to the golden age of jazz with this multi-artist tribute to Theresa Teng. The Taiwanese artist died more than twenty years but her retro style and amazing voice live on. Catch her timeless classics and other sweet and tender songs from her time period at the cozy hutong staple. RMB 60
The Kenny Garrett Quintet at Blue Note
The Grammy award-winning saxophonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Garrett has garnered critical recognition for his versatility in jazz, blues, and R&B for over thirty years working with everyone – from Duke Ellington to Q-Tip. Catch the Detroit native perform at Blue Note with his band over this weekend. RMB 460
Elvins J, wpf at Mogu Space
Indie guitarist Elvins J and keyboardist/saxophonist wpf (Wang Pengfei) invite their friends for a Saturday afternoon jazz jam at Mogu Space. 4.30pm start. RMB 60
The Spice Cabinet at Modernista
‘The Spice Cabinet is back to Modernista after the holiday to spice up your Saturday night with a Spice Jam show! Come to enjoy some pop turned jazz, or jazz turned bad, or hyper horned hit charted jazz lost in the punchline.’ FREE
Dmitry Strelianny Quartet feat. Juné Koo at East Shore Cafe
One of the more formidable groups to emerge on the modern jazz scene, the Dmitry Strelianny Quartet is remarkably empathetic cooperative band featuring saxophonist Nat Gao, pianist Sejin Bae (South Korea), bassist Chenhuai Wang and drummer Dmitry Strelianny (Russia). FREE
Danzeng Zhuoga, Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Tibetan folk-rocker Danzeng Zhuoga joins the '60s and '70s-influenced sitar master Rudra’s Sage for some hijinks in Xizhimen. RMB 66
Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at Hot Cat Club
The ever-expanding (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Hot Cat Club (hey Hot Cat Club is still there!) for some good times. FREE
Chris Hopkins and the One Night Stand at Blue Stream Bar
Singer-songwriter Chris Hopkins stays true to his roots with his homeland’s blues, rock 'n' roll and Texas country and will appear with his band, The One Night Stand at the Gulou centric venue. FREE
Sunday, Mar 11
Twinkle Star, Black Mint, Gentle Grapes, Tong at Yue Space
Spring is almost near – and what better way to welcome the new season then with a poppy dosing of the indie pop scenes most beloved outfit – from the end stylings of legends Twinkle Star, to the pop-punk bromance of Gentle Grapes, to the all-female Tong and the hard rock swooners Black Mint - this baby has guilty pleasure written all over it. RMB 120
The Flyx, Free Sex Shop, secret guest band at School
Simply because there wasn’t enough punk during the past week at School Bar - Anti-Flag worshipers The Flyx and all-girl punk band Free Sex Shop invade the School Bar stage with a special guest band from Yunnan that you can easily decipher if you’ve been reading along thus far. Either way, there’s goes Monday. RMB 40
Shuhari (JP) at DDC
Japanese instrumental post-rock band Shuhari, out of Tokyo, land in Beijing as they finish their nationwide tour in support of their new album koetekokoro. Their musical source is Bushido, the code of honor and morals developed by the Japanese samurai and are mainly influenced by post-rock and ambient music. Dope. RMB 100
Kenny & Teddy at Caravan
Kenny and Teddy are a piano, guitar and vocal duo that share their roots in traditional African music and rhythms and this is the core of their connection. From Mauritius and Ghana respectively, the duo has carved their own unique sound by combining their diverse backgrounds in music production - dabbling in everything from Afro-blues to neo-soul. 3pm start. RMB 50
Fernando, Sid & Reese, Interracial Staple at Temple
So yeah – listen to the squirrels in the tree I suppose. Folk-comedy, comedy folk, acoustic guitars galore, and I can only pray a harmonica. Come and find out. FREE
Sisi & Fan, Sijiaochu at Mogu Space
Indie pop-folk duo Sisi & Fan and the accordion-infused, jazz-pop outfit Sijiaochu pay tribute to the many Japanese indie-pop stars including Hanbari, Togawa Jun, and more. RMB 60
Rudra’s Sage at 69 Cafe
The Philippines born sitar player, a scene regular since the heydays of River Bar in Sanlitun, pays tribute to Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett with tonight’s performance at the Wudaokou space. RMB 60
Joe Longardner Quartet at Modernista
Modernista welcomes for the first-time newcomer saxophone player Joe Longardner for a solo show. The Guangzhou based musician has been a fixture of the scene down there and a frequent participant in the various jazz festivals about China. FREE
Not enough butter for the ol' earlobes? Check all of the city's live music and nightlife events here.
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
