Weekend Live Music Roundup: Brain Failure, Miji Concert, Re-Tros

This will be an amazing weekend for music people. Even during music festivals it’s rare to see so many brilliant characters being so active over a single weekend. Local rock gods, pioneering musicians from the front line, talented young powers, long-term rockers (who have long been underestimated) and many more of our favorite bands will all be out this weekend. Great, but how to decide where to go?

First let's have a look at Friday. Beijing’s punk legends Brain Failure headline the lineup of All The Singles Party at Tango. Avant-garde maverick Yan Jun gathers his “sound artists” friends at 2 Kolegas for the Miji Concert. New rock power Residence A kicks off the celebration over Wudaokou at D-22. Dongmianhuo Hutong’s Jiang Hu bar will be soaked in a dark humor brought by the owner’s awesome rock band Slap. And Qinghua girl Wu Hongfei who has been having problem because of her friendship with a "troublesome" artist, will celebrate her birthday at Yugong Yishan also on the 11th.

Moving on to Saturday. Four Five, Suffocated, and Liquid Oxygen lead the heavy lineup at Tango 3F. I’m starting to worry if that floor can handle numerous metalheads moshing at the same time. On the south east side of the city, the folksters of Low Wormwood will bring their new album (which carries a desolate vibe from the north west of China) to Mako Live House. North from there at 2 Kolegas, a session with Re-Tros’ heart twisting post-punk tunes and Helen Feng’s electronic project Nova Heart is eagerly awaited. Pick anything. You can't really go wrong.

Check the listings below for more options.

Friday (November 11)

All The Singles’ Party
Punkheads Brain Failure, Dude and more rockers gather to celebrate 11/11/11 - China's “Singles’ Day.” RMB 100, RMB 80 (advance). Tango (6551 9988)

Anna Stamburg
Jazz, blues, and funky soul. Free. 9pm. Ciro's Pomodoro (5208 6008)

The Beijing Beatles
Enjoy some fab favorites. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Miji Concert (Hit 5)
American avant-garde musician Jason Kahn joins in Yan Jun’s experimental project. RMB 40. 8.30pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Residence A, Yes No Break
Party with Beijing's promising young rock powers. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D22 (6265 3177)

Red Pirates, Kick Ass
Rock it hard and watch the young powers grow. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Slap
Probably the most cynical band in Beijing - imagine what they think for "single's day." RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9.30pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

The Love Song For Lonely
Wu Hongfei & The Happy Avenue presents their indie tunes to the singles. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students), RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Xia Jia Piano Trio
Some of China's finest jazz musicians perform in a unique Beijing environment. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Cafe (8403 2131)

Saturday (November 12)

Alpine Decline, Street Kill Strange Animals, Mr. Ray
The Beijing debut of erstwhile Los Angeles noise Alpine Decline. RMB 50. RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Hogs On Ice
Old style country blues fused with a rock vibe. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Hot List Night Battle of Bands
Young bands' battle continues. Hedgehog joins in. Free. 9pm. Yugong Yishan. (6404 2711)

Low Wormwood
The folk veterans have a new album to showcase. RMB 60, RMB 50 (students). 9pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)

Metal Day
Beijing’s metal influences assemble. Lineup includes Four Five, Suffocated, Liquid Oxygen and more. RMB 90, RMB 70 (advance, students). 7pm. Tango (6551 9988)

Re-Tros, Nova Heart, Metoo, Candy Monster
Beijing’s post-punk pride plus Helen Feng’s electronic project. RMB 60. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Randy Abel Stable
Take the path of blue grass. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Rolling Bowling
The bar’s resident band keeps it rockable. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

The Starfruits
Progressive-folksters from Italy. Free. 9pm. Beiluo Cafe and Bar (159 0112 4820)

Sunday (November 13)

Bye Bye, Thanks For Your Fish, Far Side of the Moon
Side projects of Kang mao from the Subs and Bian Yuan from the ex-Joyside. Beijing's punk heroes go sorrowly folk. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Mr. Freeman, Molicheng, Yongdongji, Precipitation, Taluo Shengtu
Beijing rockers want to warm your body and rock your heart. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance, students). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)