Weekend Live Music Roundup: Ember Swift, Buyi & D-22
September is an exciting month. I know that school is starting again, and summer comes to an end, but we will have much new blood in the city, and most importantly, it's the harvest season – even for music. We are looking forward to new albums from avant-garde improviser Xiao He (小河), Chinese style alternative rock icon Zuo Xiaozuzhou (左小祖咒), and the punks from Ruiwangfen (瑞王坟). This weekend, we will be able to have a close view of Ember Swift's new work; her 11th album carries on her jazzy-bluesy spirit and has two different versions in English and Chinese. Go to 2 Kolegas tomorrow night; there should be late summer breeze to complement her voice.
All you youngsters who just got back from vacation, before heading to Propaganda or Sanlitun why don't you go pack out D-22? Have you heard from those who went to check out the experimental bands last Saturday and happened to catch Hedgehog and Carsick Cars - two of Beijing's most talented rock bands? Tomorrow and on Saturday, there will be electronic rock Street Kill Strange Animals and some indie rock kids and the some of that same old noise.
Gulou area goes "regular" this weekend: folk rock Buyi at Jiang Hu (Friday), indie pop Christmas at Hot Cat Club (Saturday), The Beijing Beatles at V.A Bar (Saturday) and more listed below.
Friday (September 2)
Buyi
Folksters rock the hardest. RMB 50. RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu
Ember Swift
Jazz, gypsy, rock, folk and blues. The Canadian artist presents them all in her fresh 11th album. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas
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)
Mama Funker
Get some Brazilian funk from the '70s. Free. 10pm. Temple (157 1111 8930)
Streets Kill Strange Animals
The pioneering electronic rockers party with their friends. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22
The Hot Club of Beijing
Swing with the gypsy jazz. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar
Xuyanzheng, Sleepism
Meet the indie pop girl vocals. RMB 30. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club
Saturday (September 3)
The Beijing Beatles
Each generation’s Beatles favorite will all be covered. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar
Gangzi
Mongolian throat singer takes you to a journey to the north. Free. 10pm. Temple (157 1111 8930)
Nucleus, Fuzzy Mood, Youxi, The Grinding Ear
Folk rock, indie rock, post rock all rocks. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22
Pop Rock Rocks
Have some fun with catch crazy pop tunes. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club
Terra Cotta Warriors, Luminometoday Band, Sky
Pop rock bands seeking their way. RMB 50. 9pm. Yugong Yishan
Zhan Xiaoli Quintet
Qingdao youngster brings her talent to NineGates Jazz Festival. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar
Sunday (September 3)
Blackwater
The most genuine traditional Irish tunes you can find in Beijing. RMb 30. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar