Weekend Live Music Roundup: Slap, Buyi and the Best Chinese Metal Band Yaksa
Earlier this week a weibo (微博) post by folk/rock band Buyi stating that their gig tonight at Jiangjinjiu will probably be their last at the venue set off a swirl of speculation that the popular Gulou area club had closed down and was set to be demolished – a rumor that was dispelled (somewhat) the following day when the band explained they had merely heard that Jiangjinjiu will be torn down in March. The management, for its part, claims no further knowledge and says it will remain open until the wrecking ball comes.
All rumors aside, get set for another jam-packed weekend. Rebel from the band Slap will hit up MAO Livehouse, which ought to be a good test of your Chinese listening comprehension – his songs are chock full of swear words and anti-establishment lyrics.
The Mao Livehouse features Slap member and saxophonist Tian Xiao – you might recognize him as a regular at Jianghu Liveshow Bar because he happens to own the place. Pop by his Jiaodaokou area bar tonight if you want to see folk rockers Chiren play.
School's out tonight – or more precisely, Wudaoying Hutong's School Bar has informed us that they will be closed tonight for a private party co-organized by Modern Sky and Robust Husband Entertainment to celebrate their newly established cooperation. Beijing based Robust Husband is a homegrown label that signed Omnipotent Youth Society, White Eyes (Taiwan) and Me Guan Me last year and have worked closely with bands like Queen Sea Big Shark and the now defunct Joyside.
Metal mayhem goes down tomorrow night at Yugong Yishan featuring Yaksa (Best Metal Performance of 2010 selected by Midi Awards) along with ten of China's top metal bands performing covers of former's greatest hits.
Meanwhile pop rockers Perdel play MAO Livehouse and a consortium of hungry, hardcore bands including Tookoo and The Reason take the stage at D-22.
Friday (January 7)
Buyi
Likely the folk rock band’s last gig at their favorite venue. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar
Chiren
These Beijingers tell their old stories in the hutongs. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
Christmas
Forget about all the unhappiness, just dance with Christmas. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club
Hell Savior
The Hell Savior shows you the traditional metal with their new album. Some “extremists” join in. RMB 50 9.30pm. 13 Club
Slap
Slap who? Authority, they say. The last show for the folk-rock band before Chinese New Year. RMB 50. 9pm. MAO Livehouse
Streets Kill Strange Animals, Carpet of Let, Chaos
Forget about final exams – join the electric party at Wudaokou. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)
Saturday (January 8)
Joe's Heart, Paper Tiger Jamboree, Streets Kill Strange Animals
Young pioneers show us some creation. RMB 20. 9pm. What Bar (159 0123 6743)
O.N.E
Come and ska with them at Fangjia Hutong. Free. 9pm. Hot Cat Club
Perdel
Local rockers start a new tour. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)
Tookoo
Tookoo gathers their hardcore friends to celebrate a new decade. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 9pm. D-22
Yaksa
Metal leader Yaksa assembles ten top metal bands to celebrate their 15th anniversary and the release of three music videos. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance/students). 8pm. Yugong Yishan
Ye Er Bo Li
Have a taste of the Kazakh spirit. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
Sunday (Januaru 9)
China5
"Nu-pop band brings their new EP." RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 9pm. MAO Livehouse
East Brunswick All Girls Choir, The Big Picture
Have fun with some slow-core Aussies. RMB 10, RMB 5 (students). 9pm. D-22
Goumao
He says acoustic guitar can also be punk. Have a listen and let us know if he's right. Free. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
