Weekend Live Music Roundup: Hedgehog, Boys Climbing Ropes, Invisible Landscape

It's another diverse weekend in Beijing’s music scene to keep the city heated and, as usual, we've a rich list of choices: rock, folk, jazz, electro, indie, and musical experimentalists are on the menu.

Those punks from Subs haven’t played a lot recently, but front woman Kangmao’s folk group Bye-bye Thanks For Your Fish has been on almost every weekend. They'll be jamming alongside some other interesting characters, like electro-folk Zhang Si’an, at 2 Kolegas tomorrow night.

Also Friday, the noisy youngsters of Hedgehog figure it’s time to have another big party. They'll gather their fans at Yugong Yishan. Two Shanghai indie groups, Boys Climbing Ropes and X is Y will start their Beijing weekends at D-22 with other indie friends. They wouldn’t come all the way here for just one show and you can catch them again at Yugong Yishan on Saturday. The same venue will go ever-so avant-garde on Sunday, when you can check out what kind of Invisible Landscape the Japanese will bring. If you are into experimental sounds, it's time to consider Zajia your regular hangout. Song Yuzhe brought a brilliant session there last weekend, this Saturday it's Yan Jun's Subjiam and Li Tieqiao's Shengdong Jixi project which will collide.

While some say hello, some say goodbye – Black Cat Bone made their official “Lights Out” statement earlier this week. You might not get their infective rock gigs again, but you will still catch those rock veterans offstage. Here are all the gigs worth seeing this weekend.

Friday (December 2)

The Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra
An eclectic mix of straight-ahead, modern, funk and Latin jazz compositions. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A. Cafe & Bar (5844 3638)

Boys Climbing Ropes, X is Y, Streets Kill Strange Animals, Me Too
Shanghai’s indie rockers invade our city. Let’s see how the Beijing bands respond. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Buyi
The same old folk rock keeps you warm. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Bye-bye Thanks For Your Fish, Zhang Si’an, Laoyang, Laoya
A folk night in a mixed style. RMB 40. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Dish
Pop rock youngsters have new works to share with you. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 8pm. MAO Live House (6402 5080)

Hedgehog (see video above)
They were just another bunch of rock kids – now they represent a young generation. But the noisy boys and girl are still noisy. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 8.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Liu Donghong & Sand
A folk showcase of the very Beijing. RMB 60, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Trio B
From fusion to rock, all blend in their origianl jazz tunes. RMB 40, RMB 30 (advance). 9.30pm. Gulou 121 (8404 3430)

Saturday (December 3)

Akira Sudoh
Top Japanese producer throws a free concert in Bejing. Free. 2-4pm. MAO Live House (6402 5080)

Blackwater
The most genuine Irish folk you can get in Beijing. Free. 9pm. Beiluo Cafe and Bar (159 0112 4820)

Boys Climbing Ropes, X is Y
If you missed these indie rockers from Shanghai yesterday, here’s your second chance. RMB 50, RMB 30 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Dawanggang, Yangjima, Songyuzhe
A feast of folk tunes from China’s wild wild west. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 4611)

Devils at the Crossroad, Flaming Heat, Red Pirates, Power Powder
Laowai bands rock Wudaokou. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

King-kong Production's Album Launch
Nine bands gather to celebrate the launch of the collection. Lineup includes A.J.K, Toyhead, Misandao and more. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Live House (6402 5080)

Li Tieqiao, Yanjun, Gogoj, Li Jianhong
Some electric equipments and instruments will be reformed a little. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Zajia (8404 9141)

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre
Drink with some French-style gypsy jazz. Free. 9pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Pacalolo, Arrows Made of Desire
Have an easy night with indie tunes. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

The Randy Abel Stable, Not There
Get some honky-tonk bluegrass and electronic rock in Fangjia Hutong. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Sunday (December 4)

Invisible Landscape
Japanese avant-garde musicians and artists experiment with music, acoustics, emotions, space, vision, devices and live art. RMB 100, RMB 70 (advance). 8.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Yu Lin, Blaque & Blunt
Wudaokou’s folk night keeps kicking. RMB 30. 9.30pm. D-22 (6265 3177)