Weekend Live Music Roundup: Hanggai Folk Festival, Japanese Rap and Aussie Indie Pop Keep the Party Going

Well that was fun, wasn’t it? Whichever of the music festivals you spent your holiday weekend at, it seems there was something to be said for each of them. But don’t think that’s the end for another year quite yet. After all, this weekend sees the opening of the highly anticipated Hanggai Music Festival, and we only have a couple of weeks to wait for the China Music Valley Festival. But back to here and now, in addition to Hanggai, we have a host of other shows around town this weekend to help soften your festival comedown.

You could kick off your weekend with a night of jazz at the East Shore Live Jazz Café tonight as the well-travelled Liu Yue brings his guitar trio back to their spiritual home. But if you’re looking for something of a slightly harder bent, you can get along to check out Bad Apples at Temple.

Friday sees a real blend of international talent in the capital as Mongolian folksters Ajinai perform at Zajia, while Kazakh rockers IZ take on MAO Livehouse, and Argentinean ska outfit The Argies return at 2 Kolegas.

Take your pick on Saturday, there’s plenty worth checking out across the city. But don’t forget that it also marks the start of Hanggai’s eponymous folk festival at Mako Live House. It gets underway at 3pm and sees the boys themselves close the first day’s play. Elsewhere, and for a totally different flavor, get along to Yugong Yishan to see Japanese rapper Shing02 strut his stuff.

Sunday sees the resumption of matters at Mako as a host of top folk acts bring Hanggai Festival to a close, while Australian indie duo Agnes Kain ease us out at Yugong Yishan.

Enjoy your weekend, wherever you wind up.

MAY 3

Bad Apples
Original material from the hard rocking blues outfit as they tackle Gulou. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Liu Yue Guitar Trio
Former Cui Jian band member Liu Yue entertains the locals with his jazz trio. Free. 10pm. East Shore Live Jazz Café (8403 2131)

MAY 4

16 Minutes
Eclectic rockers blend elements of classical, blues and electro with some impressive results. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Ajinai
Mongolian folk troupe mix the traditional with the modern as they present an eclectic mixture. RMB 50. 9pm. Zajia (8404 9141)

IZ
The Kazakh avant-garde outfit embark on their new China tour. RMB 60. 9.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

Made in Berlin
Jeans Team and Pitchtuner front a night of their signature electro. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

The Argies
Argentinean national treasures bring their brand of ska punk to the capital. RMB 60. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6435 8998)

MAY 5

Hanggai Music Festival
The eponymous multicultural folk gathering of Beijing’s favorite Mongolian folk rockers. RMB 200, RMB 150 (advance). 3pm – Saturday, 2pm – Sunday. Mako Live House (5205 1112)

Hard Rock Night
Jacky Danny, Los Crashers and C16 present a night of hard stuff. RMB 50 (includes one free beer). 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)

Reggae Party
One Drop are among a host of local bands jamming out on Saturday night. RMB 60. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6435 8998)

Rolling Bowling
Beijing rockabilly outfit swing out at Hot Cat Club. Free. 9.30pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)

Shing02
Japanese hip-hop artist Shing02 arrives in Beijing ahead of the release of his first English-language album. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance), RMB 100 (early bird). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

The On Fires
Australian party rockers in town as part of Strawberry Festival hit MAO. RMB 80, RMB 60 (advance). 8.30pm. MAO Livehouse (6402 5080)

MAY 6

Agnes Kain
Australian indie folksters promote their latest album. RMB 120, RMB 80 (advance). 8.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Hanggai Music Festival
See May 5.