Ultimate Weekend Gig Guide, Feb 26-28
We here at the Beijinger are happy to present Live Beijing Music's weekend gig guide, written by head honcho Mr. Will Griffith. Will has been running around Beijing for over four years, documenting the city's shows and the requisite onlooking drunkards with various cameras/sound recorder setups, losing plenty of equipment along the away in his attempt to capture Beijing's aural spirit. You'll occasionally catch him pogoing like a madman when he's not got a camera in hand. Take it away, Will ...
RELATED: Check out the most recent Weekend Gig Guide here
February’s coming to close boys and girls. Work’s operating at its routine mundane pace, the streets are filling up quite nicely and music gigs are already coming under scrutiny. Business as usual. But till we’re completely out of the frying pan and into the fire, the most ridiculous month of the year has one more curve ball up it’s sleeve and it’s a doozy. Here’s your weekend update and be sure to check out our calendar over at livebeijingmusic.com for a preview of what’s to come in March.
Friday, February 26
Shochu Legion, The Flyx, The Demonstrators, Day Dream, Super Collider (Chongqing) at School
Converse continues getting its hands dirty over at School, and ethical questions aside, they’ve been managing to curate some kickass events in the past year – and free. Tonight they’ve rounded up some of Beijing’s best punk outfits including The Flyx as well as Chongqing pop punk renegades Super Collider. Prepare to kick up a storm. Free
Macondo, Li Yan, Soul Pollution, Image Above All at DDC
The first volume of ‘The Fabulous Beijing Gigs’ series kicks off at DDC with a sexy lineup of locals bands covering a variety of styles including instrumental rockers Macondo, funk driven outfit Soul Pollution, and more. RMB 60
Perpetual Motion Machine, The L.S.D, Miss Mix at Mao Livehouse
New wave garage rock infused with traditional Chinese elements, Led Zeppelin guitar riffs galore, and good ol fashion female-centric indie pop looks to get you moving at Mao. RMB 80
Mr. Miss at Snail Club
Bubbly indie pop duo bring the charm and melodies to hostel and singer-songwriter hub Snail Club. RMB 80
Bian Yuan, Xu Fei, Longfusi, Hung Yuqin at Jianghu Bar
Admired and musically charmed singer-songwriter Bian Yuan and Xu Fei join ruffian folk rocker Longfusi and more at the hutong-based Jainghu. RMB 70
Pacalolo at Temple
Quirk filled electro-rock veterans Pacalolo bring their alternative dance grooves to Temple for a righteous evening of no-holds-barred-fun. Free
Saturday, February 27
Gacha Gacha, Da Cat, Cod New at School
Indie label Maybe Mars continue their Independent China in Stereo series which invites under the radar bands from various cities around China. This evening puts the spotlight of Wuhan and three diverse bands including garage new wave outfit Da Cat, instrumental electro rockers Cod New, and alt emo scrappers Gacha Gacha. RMB 80
The Travelers at DDC
Xinjiang outfit The Travelers, whose world music has won acclaim here and aboard come to DDC. Expect lush soundscapes courtesy of guitar, dombura, bass and keyboard as well as other instruments. RMB 50
Queen Sea Big Shark, Chui Wan, Casino Demon, Pax at North Pacific Coliseum
Art and music collide for this two-day live event based around the theme 'Like A Rolling Stone'. Part exhibition, part show - the evening of the 27th will host four of the most sought after indie bands including Queen Sea Big Shark, Chui Wan, Casino Demon, and Pax. Venue is located behind the Opposite House in Sanlitun. RMB 100
Guiguisuisui, The Da Vinci, The Twenties at Temple
The blues tripping, heart stricken, 8-bit freak opera returns as Guiguisuisui returns to Beijing after a month long tour of China and Southeast Asia. Expect a whole new bag of tricks from the unpredictably volatile duo as they unload upon Temple with the support of alt-rock group The Twenties and The Da Vinci. Free
Wu & the Side Effects, Mizang at Jianghu Bar
The spirit of the blues is alive and well at Jianghu Bar as the heroic Wu & the Side Effects, long time favorites of the scene, join Mizang for some good ol fashion rock n roll. RMB 50
Sunday, February 28
SanYueJi at DDC
Avant grade pros take to DDC to present their wondrous neo classical sound that defies explanation. RMB 100
L-Gentlemen, Sophie’s Garden, Large Magellanic, Xiao Pu, Ideal Garden at Mao Livehouse
It’s a britrock infused evening of rock and roll as Mao Livehouse invites a horde of bands influenced by the best and worst of British rock and roll including L-Gentlemen, Xiao Ou, and more. RMB 80
Ember Swift at School
Beijing based singer-songwriter Ember Swift bring her infectious blend of folk, jazz, funk, and reggae to School Bar. RMB 50
Rosewood Bullet, The Paramecia at 69 Café
Folk tinted indie rock and tight jeans 80s throwbacks with Suzi & The Paramecia and Rosewood Bullet. RMB 60
Phew! Still hungry for more? For events, videos, and photos from Beijing's thriving music scene, head over to Live Beijing Music.
Images: Live Beijing Music, from the organizers