Talking Tunes: No Megadeth, but a Rip Snorter Lined Up for September
Welcome to our new-look weekly music blog, imaginatively titled: Talking Tunes. In it, we'll aim to bring you the latest news from the city's vibrant music scene, and identify the cream from the weekly crop of performances. Don't forget: If you have a music event coming up or a nugget of musical news (scurrilous gossip might even be okay, but we'll have to try and verify it – if your local chuanr guy told you he saw Elton John fighting on Sanlitun Houjie, we may need corroboration), just pass it along to paulryding@thebeijinger.com and we'll try our best to include it in the next Talking Tunes post.
Right, to more pressing matters ...
A couple of notable tidbits came our way this week. Melbourne-based artist Cam Butler will be in town to perform at XP in September. He arrives for two shows on September 21 and 22. Butler released his new album to high acclaim earlier this year. He'll use his XP performance to showcase his new video installation after producing videos for every track on the album. He'll provide a live soundtrack for each. One for the diary.
We're certainly no strangers to the disappointment of cancelled shows here in Beijing, but the blow of Megadeth "postponing" their Beijing performance will hit the city's metal rock fans hard. Almost certainly harder than the recent news of Rev Run and CocoRosie's postponements. (Hat-tip to Beijingdaze for the Megadeth announcement.)
Prominent Beijing record label Maybe Mars have announced the lineup for their fifth birthday celebration at Yugong Yishan on September 1. The cream of the Maybe Mars family will get together for a whopper of a show including Carsick Cars, AV Okubo, Xiaohe, Liu Kun, Mr. Graceless, Chui Wan, Yang Haisong (from P.K.14), Zhan Pan (from the Gar) and Yang Fan (from Ourself Beside Me). See you there.
Shanren will be releasing their new album with an official launch party at Mako Live House on Friday September 21. We're also just a couple of weeks away from the 9th Beijing Punk Festival, too.
Not long to go now until the Beijinger's inaugural New Music Showcase. Tickets are available now for the August 18 show at 2 Kolegas and the line-up has been announced. You can pick up tickets to the show at a number of venues across town, so grab yours fast! Look out for profiles of each of the performers on TheBeijinger.com leading up to the show, but pick up your tickets now for an early-bird saving of RMB 50.
After a week of truly lousy weather, we should rejoice that the sun is back out again. In that spirit, here's some classic ELO with Mr Blue Sky. Come back on ELO and play some more.
Below are a few highlights of what's going on this weekend. There's always more to be found in the Events section of this website.
Have a most pleasing weekend.
Thursday August 2
The duo of guitarist Nico Torrese and violinist Stefan explore the roots of the gypsy music genre. Free. 9.30pm. Modernista (136 9142 5744)
Tribesmen
A tribal taste of blues and bossa nova. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)
Friday August 3
Indie Disco Night
Finnish DJ Jytä Pötkö aka Basso Nova descends to perform an eclectic set of house jazz and indie disco. Free. 9.30pm. Modernista (136 9142 5744)
Kickass
Hard rockers with an eclectic sound. Free. 9.45pm. Hot Cat Club (6400 7868)
Meng Qi & Liu Kun and Li Tieqiao
Meng and Liu bring the ambience, while Li Tieqiao turns the night experimental. RMB 30. 9pm. Zajia Lab (156 0112 2252)
Pure Feeling of the Eardrum
Huang Shaofeng, Wang Wei and Zhui Xing Zu feature. RMB 60, RMB 40 (advance). 9pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)
Rolling Bowling
Tap your foot to the rockabilly and psychobilly band. RMB 50. 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
Saturday August 4
Warm, surprising sounds from the Barbados and Cape Verde islands playing to remind you of spring. Free. 9.30pm. Modernista (136 9142 5744)
King Size China
Presenting Sparrow and Daiwahmui. Free. 9.30pm. Temple (131 6107 0713)
Reggae Party
Live music and sound systems, with Meiwenti Sound and Roots Dubsteppa. RMB 50, Free (before 9pm). 10pm. 2 Kolegas (6436 8998)
Sunday August 5
Streets Kill Strange Animals and Low Bow
A night of indie rock. RMB 30. 8.30pm. Zajia Lab (156 0112 2252)
Photo: Lastfm
