Weekend Gig Guide Jul 29-31: Temple Anniversary Shows, Jay Dub, Golden Buddha Jazz Band

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 ...

Despite the weather’s insistence to shake things up here in Beijing, most of us here are still waiting for the weekend for things to really cut loose. And looking at the gigs going down this weekend, there’s no shortage of events to shake free and dance the summer away. Here’s your weekend update:

Friday, July 29

Ex-Punishment (HK), David Boring (HK), Gate to Otherside at School
Hong Kong noise rock group, The Yours, returns to Beijing with a new name and a new sound, that’s a hell lot more aggressive. One of the best acts I’ve seen come through Beijing – they’ll be join by fellow Hong Kong post punk outfit David Boring, who sound anything but boring, as well as local psych rock trio Gate to Otherside, fresh off of recording their debut album. RMB 60

Hell City, Never Before, Logic Control at Temple
Temple continues it’s five year anniversary with yet again another surefire winner – a night of heavy music for those who like their riffs packing a punch. On bill are the Mohawked street punks Hell City, sludge metal outfit Never Before, and hardcore metallers Logic Control, a band I suspect will absolutely slay Temple’s stage. Free

Los Crasher, The GT Bitches, Ramblin Roze, Last Stand Doer, Rosewood Bullet at Mao Livehouse
Tights jean, long hair, and classic riffs to work up a sweat to – it’s Rock and Roll 101 tonight at Mao Livehouse (it lives!) as an assortment of Beijing (and one serious ass-kicking band from Jinan) play tribute to the greats. RMB 100

me:mo, Marukao at Fruityspace
Dive into the ambient bliss of electronic artist (and venue runner) me:mo while beat maker Marukao (of Zhejiang label Groove Bunny) provides the grooves. RMB 50

Children’s Cinema, The Lake, Time Capsule, Self-Portrait, Brickleberry at DDC
Beijing indie pop front runners converge for an evening of bumble gum pop and Britpop swag including Children’s Cinema, Time Capsule, and more. RMB 80

The Leaves, Gong Zhao at 69 Café
Acoustic blues, pop rock, and easy listening tunes at the Nanluogu Xiang hotspot 69 Café. RMB 70

Wang Yi, Juju, Han Yongjian, Zhonghui at Mogu Space
Folk pop, indie rock, and singer songwriters (with quite a few TV and film credits to their name) converge on 69 Café’s new Xizhimen venue, Mogu Space. RMB 60

Papi Mo at Jianghu Bar
Folk pop singer-songwriter whose lust melodies and earthy lyrics have led to an extensive career presents her latest at the cozy hutong venue.

Lost in Asia at Hot Cat Club
Concept pop jazz band featuring ‘drums, double bass, keys, and the sweetest voice in town’. Free

Saturday, July 30

Ex-Punishment, Dream Can, Alpine Decline, white+ at Yugong Yishan
Hong Kong noise divers Ex-Punishment kick it up a notch once again and this time they’re bringing some top end friends for the drive, including Beijing reverb shock trio Alpine Decline (their last show for the unforeseeable future), live electronica outfit white+, and the latest on the Maybe Mars roster – Shanghai all girl dreamgaze rockers Dream Can. RMB 100

The CLF, The Diagon Alley at Modernsky Lab
Britpop and bumble gum pop in the purest sense – Modernsky’s last ‘Summer Rush’ showcases features two big bands ready to get those emotions soaring and those hearts arching including The CLF, fresh off their sexy, jazz-flavored debut. RMB 100

Djang San, Perpetual Motion Machine, Mystery Band at Temple
Temple goes big for their weekend celebratory party with some of the venue’s favorite performers including fusion rock French conqueror Djang San, folk rock genre benders Perpetual Motion Machine, and a very special mystery guest. I sure do love surprises. Free

Free Sex Shop, Miss Mix, Secret Club, Quick Shot, Multi-Ego at School
It’s another bikini party to get you through the summer at rock and roll HQ as local promoters D.O.G. bring our their cool as ice roster that includes britpoppers Secret Club, all girl punx Free Sex Shop, and more. RMB 80 (free with swimsuit for both males and females)

The Sound Sculpture at Fruityspace
Sound soundscapers with dark psychedelic vibes present their latest live soundtrack to German expressionism masterpiece, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Always something different with this quartet – gotta love it. RMB 40

Jay Dub with J Crew at DDC
Globe-trotting, Beijing based producer Jay Dub, whose track record speaks for itself, presents his monstrously entertaining crew performing original funk, soul, and hip hop music including special guest Jackson Turner. RMB 50

Yichang Impromptu at Aotu Studio
Traveling Yunnan impromptu collective Yichang hit up hair salon/art studio Aotu bringing their rotating roster of seasoned musicians and Southern China flavored stylings including beatboxer Jiahonglong, Bu Dian (of Shanren), Sayak Burua, and more. RMB 100

Plateau, Jungle Fever, Funky Monkey, Syndrome, Flower Head at Mao Livehouse
Psychedelic pop, funk rock, indie flavors and more with this eclectic lineup at the ever busy Mao Livehouse, which refuses to die. RMB 80

Electric Lady, Pon, Syndrome at Blue Stream Bar
Houhai offshoot Blue Stream Bar gets rocking tonight with sludge rock outfit Electric Lady and more. RMB 50

Liu Donghong at 69 Café
Blues-ridden, folk rock singer songwriter vet gets down and dirty at 69 Café. RMB 70

Nick Parsons, Via, South of Death at Mogu Space
An assortment of singer-songwriters test out 69 Café’s new Xizhimen space including indie rock outfit South of Death’s lead singer giving an acoustic set. RMB 60

Sunday, July 31

Dawenxi, Rhonda, Aberrated Star, The Blue Moon at School
Pscyho Party Volume 3 wants to finish off the weekend on the right note with a smorgasbord of post-rock, post-punk, and indie rock with Dawenxi, Rhonda, and more. RMB 40

Golden Buddha Jazz Band at DDC
Golden Buddha Jazz Band looks to explore the integration of Eastern and Western music cultures in their fusion jazz and top-ranked Chinese musicians who bring their own unique flavor to the stage. RMB 60

Lattice, Cool As Fuck, The Leaves at 69 Café
Chill vibes and indie rock sensibilities to ease you into the new week with this 69 Café Sunday showcase. RMB 70

Bug Band at ModernSky Lab
Nu metal outfit with huge Mayday influences hits up Modernsky Lab for an afternoon showcase. RMB 60 (1pm start)

Mandula at Jianghu Bar
Skilled trained musician Mandula, whose work with bands such as Tang Dynasty, Cao Fang, and Velvet Highway has made him a musician’s musician performs tonight at the hutong favorite along with friends. RMB 70

Half Half, The Mescaline, Kepler, Plateau at Hot Cat Club
Hot Cat Club continues putting the spotlight on Beijing’s rising crop of bands – and this afternoon they’re got some interesting acts including psychedelic pop outfit Plateau and more. RMB 40 (3pm start)

D-Crash, The Demonstrators, Own Up at Hot Cat Club
As if an afternoon of rock and roll on Fangjia Hutong wasn’t enough, Hot Cat Club turns up the heat with this punk-filled evening featuring punk faves D Crash and more. Free

Phew! Still hungry for more? For events, videos, and photos from Beijing's thriving music scene, head over to Live Beijing Music or check out all of our live music listings here.

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers