Noise Pollution: Explosions in the Sky, Birdstriking, Bian Yuan, Vinida, Kevin Sun, Chiu Pi

Will Griffith | May 10, 2019 10:26 am | Add a comment | 178 reads

As the haze of the holiday clears out, it’s time to get back to business on the music front – meaning big gigs, hordes of bands looking to break a sweat, and audiences finding bliss between the guitar chords and thundering drums. The next month we’re gonna be spoiled so be ready to make some tough choices regarding where you’ll be getting your fix. Here’s your cheat sheet this weekend.

Friday, May 10

Explosions in the Sky (US) at Tango
New Noise welcomes the US hailing iconic instrumental band, Explosions in the Sky, known for playing some of the most passionate, powerful instrumental music you will ever hear. Equal parts romance and tragedy, their beautiful melodies have the tendency to ignite into head-spinning walls of noise. Easily one of the most intense live bands ever, their sound proves to be every bit as triumphant as their name implies – don’t miss them as they kick off their 20th-anniversary celebration. RMB 360

N-Bomb, Saber, End of the Weak China, BlackMic, DB Bros at School Bar
Open Fire – the red-hot (almost always sold out) hip-hop series curated by the Dungeon Beijing and School Bar photographer Xiao Bei returns for its tenth volume – an evening brimming with sweat, rhymes, and a strong sense of camaraderie. Set to appear tonight, among others, are Dungeon Beijing heavy-hitters N-Bomb and Saber, hip-hop troupes BlackMic and DB Bros, and making a special appearance, End of the Weak China (a hip-hop collective spread across the world). RMB 120

Chiu Pi (TW) at Omni Space
Long exposed to music, painting, photography, theater, martial arts, dance, and body movement training, Taiwanese artist Chiu Pi is a versatile musician who has released tons of material, creating avant-garde music that has an ethereal and introspective style, changing the general perception of electronic music. Dude’s only been getting bigger and bigger and makes way for Omni Space this evening. RMB 150

Vinida at Tango
Since emerging on the stage of China’s New Song in late 2016, pop rapper Vinida’s star has only risen. By the end of 2017, she had joined Modernsky Sky and released her debut album and since then has been on a tear across China. She returns to Beijing on her latest tour. RMB 280

Shark at Yue Space
Indie pop singer-songwriter Shark (Wei Bin Yue), whose ethereal, tender, and lush recordings have made her a viral sensation, hits the road on her first tour. With flourishes of indie electronic and hip-hop, she seems to getting down with the zeitgeist of today’s youth. RMB 120

Dawei & The Social Poets at DDC
Funk hip-hop outfit Dawei & The Social Poets, led by the impulsive, fierce, and battle-prone rapper Dawei, bring their genre-flirting explosive performance to DDC tonight for a special session showcasing his newest collaborators with the intention to provoke and whip crowds into a frenzy. Support appearances from Li Yong and Bai Yu. RMB 80

Blackwater at Temple
For a true Irish experience catch Blackwater, whose music draws from the rich traditional Irish repertoire – from beautiful ballads to frenzied reels – these cats may just be the most authentic Irish punk rock band in Beijing and they’re looking for trouble tonight over in Temple. FREE

Bob Dupont & The Outstanding Vegan Bankers at Modernista
Bob Dupont & The Outstanding Vegan Bankers – Djang San’s alter ego and the natural sequel to the much beloved The Amazing Insurance Salesmen hits the stage for a night of experimental high-quality music. Prepare to be electrified. FREE

Spontaneous Ensemble x Zhang Jiuyi at fRUITYSPACE
Psychedelic-leaning multi-instrumentalist Zhang Jiuyi joins the Spontaneous Ensemble, which as you can guess is a free improv group consisting of various members of the music scene. RMB 50

The Bebop Big Band at Blue Note
The Blue Note Beijing Big Band pays tribute to the pioneering work of the bebop big bands, performing a thrilling program of classic bebop arrangements that showcase the modern harmonies and virtuosic rhythms of this music. RMB 100

Zhao Tianyu at Mao Livehouse
The Mandopop star (and super cutie) Zhao Tianyu brings his poetic, literary, and soothing voice to his adoring fans in Wukesong this evening. Fresh off his latest EP release Inside, he sings with a "true and false mix of euphoria, gentle, and raw emotion." RMB 200

Kevin Sun Trio at The Bricks
New York-based saxophonist, improviser, composer, and writer Kevin Sun brings his electrifying trio, which involves Matt Honor on drums and Walter Stinson on bass, to Sanlitun. FREE

More Feel, Wen Hongrui at Mogu Space
Indie synth-pop duo More Feel share, as you can imagine, their feelings over in Xizhimen alongside Chongqing-raised singer-songwriter Wen Hongrui. FREE

The Balcony, The Roots at Caravan
Hailing from Derbyshire and London in the UK, The Balcony brings a mix of acoustic covers and originals to Caravan alongside contemporary afro-beat and pop duo My Roots with Nikita Heaven and Fabrice. FREE

D.I.O, DJ Bullot, Rawhx at Pink Moon
Hip-hop artist from Tanzania, D.I.O brings some bubbly vibes over to Pink Moon with the help of DJ Bullot and fellow rapper Rawhx. FREE

Saturday, May 11

Birdstriking, Lonely Leary at DDC
One of my personal favorite bands, noise-pop outfit Birdstriking, are back in fighting mode, returning from an array of festival performances are ready to brandish their bruises and show off new material: riotous, no holds barrel noise rock that lays it all out there. Supporting them will be post-punk favorites Lonely Leary, who have also been recently sporting some new tunes that kick all sorts of ass. RMB 100

Bian Yuan at School Bar
This evening legendary figure in the China music scene Bian Yuan releases his new album Guang, and simultaneously kicks off his China tour with its Beijing stop at School Bar. Over the past couple years Bian Yuan, known for his work in Joyside, Lone, and more, has slowly been releasing tracks from his forthcoming album, and tonight his newest creation is released in full with the help of his esteemed (and surely recognizable) friends. RMB 100

Slap at Yue Space
Genre-hopping, satirical cross-talking folk-rock outfit, Slap, who have been going strong since 1998, slowly emerging as one of the scene’s best-kept secrets with one the biggest most rabid fan bases out there, showcase their newest topsy-turvy album tonight at Yue Space. RMB 160

Bad Clutch, Pinky Cherry, All Unknown, Hard Candy Revolution at 13 Club
Been forgetting to get 13 Club their due these past few weeks which is a travesty, since these cats have been going strong longer than just about anyone in town – getting the rock and roll flame roaring over in Wudaokou – tonight they host some of the young generations finest rock and roll including glam rockers Hard Candy Revolution, all-girl J-rock outfit Pinky Cherry, hard-edged punks Bad Clutch, and pop-punk veterans All Unknown. RMB 80

GLYZB, TOSS, White Paper at Temple
Temple welcomes visiting post-rockers From Qingdao, GLYZB, who’ll be sporting some serious earworm tingling soundscapes with the help of grunge thrashers TOSS and post-punk ruffians White Papers, whose live performances at Temple have garnered them heaps of attention. FREE

Sourtower x yayeci, Kaoru Abe No Future at fRUITYSPACE
One of this year’s most intriguing new acts, the all-girl cold wave post-punk outfit Sourtower, is back with a new collaborative performance with visual artist and illustrator yayeci AKA Vision. They’ll be joining avant-garde musical destroyers of structure Kaoru Abe No Future, led by some of Zoomin' Night’s most prolific characters. RMB 50

Bob Dupont, Nine, DJ Dice Twice at Soi Baochao
Bob Dupont, veteran musician Djang San’s own alter ego – a one-man band created around the idea of mixing samples, beats, electric guitar, and more, brings the noise over to Soi Baochao alongside blues funk 'n’ rollers Nine for an evening of charging rhythms and dynamic breakdowns. FREE

Andy Shauf (CA) at Blue Note
Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andy Shauf, whose past work included playing drums in Christian pop-punk band Captain, opening up for The Lumineers, and most recently releasing a new album under the band name Fozwarren, brings his solo stylings to Blue Note this weekend. RMB 180-300

Kevin Sun Trio at UUC
This summer, UCCA in 798 will be inviting emerging experimental jazz musicians to their digs and kicking off this newfound endeavor is the Kevin Sun Trio, led by the New York-based saxophonist, improviser, composer, and writer, who’ll be getting in some licks this Saturday afternoon. 2pm start. FREE

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at Modernista
One of Modernista’s most fiercely beloved bands, Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies, are celebrating four years of making memorable evenings filled with pop, funk, and irresistible charm. Catch the huge ensemble rejoice in style. FREE

Minami Risa (JP) at Mao Livehouse
Multi-instrumentalist Minami Risa took on the piano and the oboe before turning to the chromatic harmonica. She’s taken prizes in many harmonica competitions and been involved in writing music for TV dramas and anime music production and is one of the harmonica’s best ambassadors. RMB 180

Sports Team at Caravan
There really aren’t enough sports-related bands out there – yet alone ones who shamelessly call themselves ‘Sports Team’ and ask audiences to bring ‘foam fingers’ and ‘war paint’ to help the punks get their spirit on. And sometimes that’s enough to get me interested. Catch the newly formed group at Caravan. FREE

Xu Jun, Rudei & Prince, The Balcony at Mogu Space
Xu Jun of the Qin style rock band Che Nian Po performs solo at the cozy Mogu Space followed by sets from two duos – Rudi and Prince and The Balcony. FREE

Three Mosquitoes at Jianghu Bar
Playing a set list filled with both covers and original songs, Three Mosquitoes are on a looping never-ending parallel universal cosmic tour on planet Earth. Catch them at the cozy Jianghu Bar. RMB 60

Diva Simona Quartet at The Bricks
Italian award-winning singer, composer, educator Simona De Rosa has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the NY jazz scene and continues touring internationally. FREE

Xi Er, Dong Honglei at Pink Moon
Touching upon soul, funk, blues, and pop, the duo of Xi Er and Dong Honglei bring their family-friendly sound to Pink Moon tonight. FREE

Sunday, May 12

Brickleberry, Houlai De Daoyu, Qianchuan Pharmacy, Vegetation Sound at School Bar
Tonight local promoters the Rock Brothers have put together a night of indie rock and post-punk – on the docket are synth-driven dance-punk outfit Brickleberry, ambient post-rock collective Houlai de Daoyu, graphic artists who met in art school by trade and post-punk rockers on the stage Qianchuan Pharmacy, and indie rock foursome Vegetation Sound. RMB 60

Betraying the Martyrs (FR) at Yue Space
French deathcore/metalcore band Betraying the Martyrs get down and heavy this Sunday at Yue Space as part of their Eternal Machine Asia Tour. The Parisian group has been together since 2008, and has toured with Whitechapel, While She Sleeps and other metal groups – they're not to mess around with. Expect mosh pits galore. RMB 200

Showhand, V89, Hybrid Theory at Temple
Celebrate Mother’s Day by setting up shop in Temple, the last place your mother would want you to be. And nothing spells out love for the bringer of life than an evening of rock and roll courtesy of pop-punk scrappers Showhand, hard rockers V89, and indie thrashers Hybrid Theory. FREE

The Oral Cigarettes (JP) at Omni Space
Four-piece alternative rock band from Nara, Japan bring their bombastic live performance to Omni Space. The band, a festival highlight across Japan, with hits on an array of media, including TV dramas and amines, are through and through true to their flamboyant and utterly catchy style. RMB 280

Kevin Sun Trio at Modernista
New York-based saxophonist, improviser, composer, and writer Kevin Sun brings his electrifying trio, which involves Matt Honor on drums and Walter Stinson on bass, to Baochao. The trailblazing musician has garnered attention from a handful of stellar publications like The New York Times and Stereogum, and in 2018 became the Artistic Director of the Blue Note Beijing Jazz Orchestra. FREE