Weekend Live Music Roundup: Battle Of The Bands, Fun Music Festival

It’s too bad that the Beijing Jazz Festival which was scheduled for this weekend got postponed to an undetermined date. To be frank, I am a little overdosed on music festivals, but those cool breezes are bringing the message that there’s not much time left for outdoor activities to remain fun, and bearable. So, Fun Music Festival there is. Beside Beijing’s music festival regulars like Re-tros (Friday), DH & Hellcats (Friday), and Hedgehog (Sunday), there will also be Taiwan’s hit hip-hop group Hot Dog (Friday), Canadian alternative rockers Your Favorite Enemies (Saturday), indie princess Zhang Xuan (Sunday) and more Chinese and international talents.

If you don’t want to go all the way to Fangshan District to catch those acts, many more remain closer to us. Tiger Translate Battle Of The Bands will have its Beijing final tomorrow night at Tango, the four bands who made it into the final are worth checking out and hopefully headliner Xie Tianxiao will bring his guzheng to make the rock night complete. Other than that, old school young punks Rustic is about to head to England (don't worry, they will come back), so they are throwing a free show at D-22 also on Friday and hope to see you for a drink. Still the same night, Gangzi will be doing his Mongolian throat singing at Jiangjinjiu.

When Saturday comes, why not go enjoy some outdoor time at 2 Kolegas and also catch up with folky rock Buyi? Or you headbangers won’t want to miss gothic metal band To Die For from Finland. Read on for even more options.

Thursday (August 25)

The Shapers
A punk party with the Frenchies. Summer Sunshine and The Flyx join in. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Yangjima
Tibetan siren chants. Folk lunatic Song Yuzhe join in. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Live Show Bar (6401 5269)

Friday (August 26)

Arrows Made Of Desire, Mr. Freeman
An easy indie folk night in Dongmianhua Hutong. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Live Show Bar (6401 5269)

Cactus
This eclectic rock'n'roll band promises to shake Beijing to the core with its exciting and passionate music. Free. 9pm. Temple

Gangzi Tuliguer
Let his throat singing touch your heart. Price TBD. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar

Jess Meider
The Beijing based music talent brings her jazz project. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Liquid Oxygen Can, Saw, Surprise
The night is meant to be heavy. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre
Covers and originals that feel like groovy Jazz with a healthy dose of Gypsy. Free. 9.30pm. Timezone 8 (8456 0336)

Liu Yusi, Red Pirates
soul/reggae singer/songwriter Liu Yusi will gets board with hard-rocking Red Pirates. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Rustic
Cheer up these young rock kids before they head to England. Free. 10pm. D-22

Tiger Beer Battle Of Bands – Final (Xie Tianxiao)
Let’s go pick the best out of the elites, and see the so called new godfather of Chinese rock & roll. RMB 70, RMB 60 (students). 7.30pm. Tango (6551 9988)

Xia Jia Piano Trio
Keep the jazz routine going. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

We Are New School
Skate punks gather. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Saturday (August 27)

Blackwater
Get the most genuine traditional Irish sounds. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Buyi, Lidong, Huizi & Xia
An easy folky rock night in the summer breeze. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 10pm. 2 Kolegas

Hot & Cold, Fat City, Soviet Pop
Catch up with synth duo Hot & Cold, and get some pioneering sound on the side. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22

I Love Uniforms
The uniform lovers are back. Catch up with Longjin, Toyhead and more. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse

Jean Sebastian
Zhang Si'an's electro-folk project. Free. 9.30pm. Tushuguan 98 (8400 1532)

Liu Yuan Jazz Quartet
The saxphone master and his promising tunes. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

The Beijing Beatles
Review all your old favorites. Free. 9pm. Alanting (8571 5168)

To Die For
Finnish gothic metal giants takes over. RMB 240. 7.30pm. Tango 3F

Sunday (August 28)

Frankenstyle
Street punks from Austria shares stage with local punk powers. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Mr.Moreno Donadel Piano Trio
Mr.Moreno Donadel Multi-awarded pianist from Italy perform his own compositions and arrangements with Da Zhong on bass and Bei Bei on Drums. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Friday - Sunday

Fun Music Festival
Aug 26-28. Your Favorite Enemies, Re-Tros, Hadgehog and more international and Chinese rock and pop favorites get together in the south of Beijing purely for fun. Tickets at 400 610 3721 or here. RMB 150 (per day). 3.30pm. Changyang Peninsula, Fangshan District

Photo: Chai Dongxin