Weekend Live Music Roundup: Simple Plan, Lake of Tears, Buyi

It’s fascinating how time flows. Exactly this time a year ago, there was a rumor that folk bar Jiangjinjiu, near the Drum Tower, was getting torn down; folk rockers Buyi thought they'd be playing their beloved bar for the last time. No one can guarantee that the bar will be there forever, but it's definitely still standing. You can catch Buyi there this Friday night.

What no one could have predicted is that D-22 would be counting down its final days. The last show is scheduled for January 13. If you didn’t make it to any of their big shows before the New Year because it was too crowded, you can still check out upcoming young bands this weekend, like Bedstars and Residence A. If the bar means a lot to you, you've no doubt already made plans to be there for its final Zoomin’ Night next Tuesday. Why do I have a feeling that it’s going to be the wildest Tuesday night ever?

The good thing about Beijing is that it never lacks for visitors. Tonight, Swedish dark-metal band Lake of Tears takes over Tango – get ready to mosh. Tomorrow night, pop-punk lovers will rejoice at Yugong Yishan when they finally get to jump up and down with Simple Plan. I’m not sure if Rihanna and Eminem will ever make it to China. Until they do, we have some incredible singers in China to cover their songs. Consider the video below a belated New Year's present. Enjoy the weekend!

Thursday (January 5)

Cao Qin & Starry
New pop-rockers have a new album to show. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 8.30pm MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Lake of Tears
Scandinavian dark metal heads take you to the core of sorrow. RMB 220, RMB 320 (VIP). 8pm. Tango (6551 9988)

The Terry Hsieh Collective
Check out the sextet comprised of a group of talented college-age musicians who hail from diverse backgrounds. RMB 40, RMB 30 (students). 9.30pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Bossa Nova Night
Have a drink and loosen your mind. Free. 9.30pm. Modernista Café & Bar (136 7127 4747)

Friday (January 6)

Ajinai, Randy Able Stable, Lidong
Mongolian folk crash with honky-tonk bluegrass and Chinese folk rock. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)

Bedstars, Trouble Trouble, Reloadz
Mosh along with established liver destroyers Bedstars and new risers Reloadz and Trouble Trouble. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Buyi
A small intimate venue can also rock out with Buyi’s northwestern folky toughness. RMB 50. 9.30pm. Jiangjinjiu Bar (8405 0124)

Charlle Jazz Trio
Catch up with the jazz crowd at Wudaoying Hutong. RMB 30. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Folk Spring Festival Gala
More than 20 folk bands and musicians celebrate the festival together. RMB 30. 3pm. Tiny Salt Cafe 798 (5900 0969)

Liu Kung
Low Wormwood’s lead singer brings his solo folk session. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 9.30pm Blue Stream Bar (139 1120 4906)

Los Amigos
Shake it with some Latino jazz passion. RMB 50, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Metal Night
Wudaokou’s headbangers gather. Lineup includes Die From Sorrow, Raging Mob and more. RMB 50. 9.30pm. 13 Club (8261 9267)

Saudade e Alegria Trio
New bossa nova band hits Bei Luoguxiang. Free. 9pm. Beiluo Cafe and Bar (159 0112 4820)

Simple Plan
Pop punk is coming back. RMB 380, RMB 280 (advance). 8pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Saturday (January 7)

The Beijing Beatles
Join a joyful night with the fab four. Free. 9pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Candy Monster
The pop electronic rock kids decide to have an acoustic show. RMB 30, RMB 20 (advance). 9pm. Blue Stream Bar (139 1120 4906)

Douglas Smith
Get some alternative acoustic folk and a mojito. Free. 9pm. Beiluo Cafe and Bar (159 0112 4820)

Laurent Maur Jazz Quintet
Get some funky modern jazz. RMB 40. 9.45pm. V.A Bar (5844 3638)

Residence A, Youxi
Uprising Residence A makes their first 2012 appearance in Wudaokou, joined by lo-fi duo Youxi. RMB 50, RMB 40 (students). 10pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Rock Spring Festival Gala
Metal legends, young punks, instrumental geeks and angry rappers assemble to celebrate the holiday. Lineup includes Twisted Machine, Miserable Faith, Misandao and more. RMB 201.2 (standing), RMB 107 (stadium seats). 7.30pm. Olympic Sports Center (6491 0468)

Visual Rock Festival
How does rock music relate to costumes and heavy makeup? Come and find out with the gothic metal heads. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance, students). 8pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Zhao Lei
Traditional Chinese folk sensibility and rock beats. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

Sunday (January 8)

Metalcore Night
Beijing’s metalcore youngsters gather in Shuangjing. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 8.30pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)

Nathaniel Gao Jazz Quartet
They fuse rock & roll, rap and Chinese traditional music into their free jazz tunes. RMB 40. 9pm. Jiang Hu Liveshow Bar (6401 5269)

New Gang of Four
Three long-time producers, veteran songwriters and a mysterious girl get together for some old love songs. RMB 70, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Steerage
"Authentic Irish Music" in the Irish pub. RMB 30. 8pm. Danger Doyle's (6591 3337)

Tuesday (January 10)

Celtic Woman
The world music sirens hit China. Tickets available at 400 610 3721. RMB 280-1,280. 7.30pm. MasterCard Center (6828 6386)

Zoomin' Night
Celebrate D-22's last Zoomin' Night with Birdstriking, Chui Wan, Luxinpei, Paper Tiger Jamboree, Skip Skip Benben, Soviet Pop and Xiaohong & Xiaoxiaohong. RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). 9pm. D-22 (6265 3177)

Wednesday (January 11)

Hasetie'er - You're Not Alone
Some of Beijing's best ethnic and folk musicians gather to raise money for a poor Xinjiang boy in a coma. Line up includes Mamer, Dawangang, Wutan and more. RMB 100. 8pm. Mako Live House (5205 1112/3)