Noise Pollution: Die!Die!Die! at Yue Space, Fruityspace Label Launch, Ravi Coltrane at Blue Note

September bliss – easily one of the better months of the year and just looking at the stock of shows and artists performing in our humble abode this month, the treat has gotten even sweeter. Seven-inch vinyl releases galore, sold out rap showcases (two nights in a row at School!), and a rare visit from one of the experimental scene's hardest-working composers, it’s time to take full advantage of autumn and venture forth! Oh, and if you haven't yet, go check out my newly resurrected website.
 

Friday, Sep 8

Die!Die!Die! (NZ), Birdstriking, Backspace at Yue Space
After a roaring success of a tour last year, New Zealand noise rock trio Die!Die!Die! return to Beijing to release their 7-inch split with Beijing’s own indie-rock darlings Birdstriking, off of Genjing Records. Expect a visceral, ravenous performance that’ll leave nothing to the imagination. Maybe Mars' newest acquisitions, Backspace, fresh off their first China tour, open. Gonna be a good one. Read more about it here. RMB 80

Buyi at Omni Space
Ningxia folk rock legends Buyi – known for their rousing, rustic, and flavorsome tunes, and who have performed for over sixteen years – return with a special performance at Omni Space in Tinatiao as they kick off their latest nationwide tour. Class acts, these cats, and one of the finest in their genre. RMB 150

The Tangel Trio at Jianghu Bar
The avant-garde tango trio Tangel, made up of three Argentinean musicians based in Spain, combine electronic, jazz and metal elements to create what they refer to as "avant-garde tango." They’ve been trotting their recent and critically acclaimed debut album. RMB 60

Abnormal Infected, Rest in Gore, Inhuman Devotion, Hydrosyanik, The Hell Gates, Broken Halbred at 13 Club
In what sounds like a checklist of David Cronenberg fetishes, 13 Club explores the best of China’s brutal death metal scene with – wait for it – Abnormal Infected, Rest In Gore, Inhuman Devotion, Hydrosyanik, The Hell Gates and Broken Halberd. I don’t even want to know what a Hydrosyanik is. RMB 100

Mr. Honey x Club Paradise at Temple
Disco and global funk DJ collective Club Paradise take over Temple (gasp!) for a night of electronic music at Temple (second gasp!). But fear not: ska big band heroes Mr. Honey will be on hand to keep things instrument-based before Temple tries their hand at a good ol' house party. Color me intrigued. FREE

Optimo (Scotland) at Dada
And while we're on the subject of killer electronic showcases (and because I was kindly asked) I’ll give a shout out to Scotland legendary club night hosts JD Twitch and JG Wikes aka Optimo whose left-field approach to DJing – pulling out everything from techno, electro, rock, and other rarities – has made them one of the most sought-after acts across the globe. Read the interview we conducted with the duo earlier in the week here. Price DADA

Swarm, The Swinging Barbarellas, Ambulance of Love at DDC
Rock out every which way this evening at DDC as the schizoid party rock stylings of the Swinging Barbarellas join psych-infused hard rock instrumentalists Swarm and surly punk rockers Ambulance of Love for some anarchist fun at the hutong staple. RMB 60

Ravi Coltrane (US) at Blue Note
Critically acclaimed Grammy nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer (and yes, son of John Coltrane), Ravi Coltrane has been a prominent figure in the jazz world for over twenty years, from his own noteworthy albums to finding independent record label RKM. RMB 460-560

Daniel Taylor at Soi Baochao
Yorkshire-raised singer-songwriter Daniel Taylor, known for his riotous frontman performances in rock outfit The Harridans and folk group Phuture Vulture and the Absolute goes solo with a show that focuses on Celtic music and fingerpicked guitar wonders. FREE

Gao Shan at Snail Hostel
Multi-instrumentalist Chris aka Gao Shan has lived in Beijing for more than 15 years, where he has played in numerous outfits – tonight he goes solo, showcasing a unique style that brings in different string instruments including guitar, double bass, mandolin, and banjo. RMB 60

Zhang Ming at Rockland
Classically trained guitarist Zhang Ming appears at Rockland, being touted as Beijing’s most intimate musical venue (stealing the torch from 69 Café, I suppose). The indie artist released his atmospheric first album Unnamed Season last year, and will appear at the Houhai joint alongside friends. RMB 80

Pu Han at Mogu Space
Indie folk artist Pu Han covers Canadian poet, artist and musician Leonard Cohen’s mammoth catalog of work at the Xizhimen space. FREE (w/ drink purchase)
 

Saturday, Sep 9

Boiled Hippo, The Molds, Gong Gong Gong, secret guest at C5 Art Space (Sanlitun)
fRUITYSPACE, the little basement venue that’s been a haven for some of indie-rock’s more deviant and offbeat sounds, celebrates their latest endeavor – becoming a label, aptly named Space Fruity Records – with a 7’’ vinyl release party for world beat psych rockers Boiled Hippo (who are slowly becoming the year’s biggest comeback bands) and lethargic cowboy blues rock outfit The Molds. And for the occasion, the venue will be moving over to C5 Art Space in Sanlitun. Plus, support from underground duo Gong Gong Gong, a secret guest band, and DJ sets from Y2 and Marukao. Now that’s how you do a release party. RMB 100 (8pm start)

Li Daiguo at La Plantation
One of the experimental scene’s most widely respected artists, the Dali-based (maybe "nomad" is more appropriate) Li Daiguo, whose wildly extensive and diverse training has made him develop a compositional style and extended technique for bowed and plucked instruments that’s simply out of this world, will be giving a rare performance with cello and pipa at La Plantation. Seriously mind-blowing stuff that’s not to be missed. RMB 200

Penicillin at Yugong Yishan
After seven consecutive weeks of festival performances this summer, the Britpop indie-rockers Penicillin are back on their home turf and ready to unleash their debut album, Embrace The World, a ‘shot of youthful rock’n’roll energy’ that has garnered the band's legions of fans over the years. RMB 120

D-Crash, Uncle Bad, Own Up at Temple
Chaos comes to Temple (and just in time for those who didn't survive the previous evening's disco party) in the form of crush punk favorites D-Crash, hardcore outfit Own Up and new skinhead outfit Uncle Bad, who have been cutting their teeth on the circuit as of late. Gonna get rowdy, that’s for sure. FREE

Suffocated at Tango
Thrash metal giants Suffocated, who just celebrated their twentieth anniversary as a band earlier this year, bring the pain to Tango in support of their latest glorious speed metal release – expect the mosh pit to reach numbers upwards of five hundred (just ballparking it here) peeps. RMB 200

Nocturnes, 5th Dimension, Anxt at DDC
Electro indie-rock and other electronic sounds converge at DDC, including the ethereal indie-tronic duo Nocturnes, whose star continues to rise, as well as up-and-coming electro pop duo 5th Dimension and solo producer and soundscaper Anxt. Intriguing sounds. RMB 60

Ember Swift, Dan Taylor, Jess Meider at Caravan
Badr has tracked down three of the scene’s most amazing and prolific singer songwriters and rounded them up for a delightful evening of original tunes with striking power and resonance. RMB 60

Cream D Nasty Ray, ZiYouWo, Zhao Tao, Axin at Tango
'Cause it ain’t a weekend without a blowout hip-hop show, once again at Tango, giving the mic to Cream D, Nasty Ray (hey, it's been too long Nasty!), and many more rappers and hip-hop enthusiasts who’ll be keeping the flow tight, keeping the party rolling into the late evening, and making it rain like it was 2001. RMB 300

Cui Longyang, Jiang Ershi, Xixi, Zhang Sikun at Jianghu Bar
Jianghu hosts a horde of singer-songwriters to their stage to celebrate autumn’s arrival including indie-pop and alt-rocker Cui Longyang, Zhei lead singer Jiang Ershi, Sichuan folk singer Zhang Sikun, and many more. RMB 80

Alcohol Allergy at Mogu Space
My first roommate in Beijing had an alcohol allergy and his face would puff up whenever he drank a beer – true story. I’m sure the Hainan folk group who combine rock, folk and traditional Hainan elements into their act, will have more than a few stories of letting alcohol get the better of you. RMB 55

Ravi Coltrane (US) at Blue Note
Critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer (and yes, son of John Coltrane), Ravi Coltrane has been a prominent figure in the jazz world for over 20 years, from his own noteworthy albums to finding independent record label RKM. RMB 460-560

Get Better, Shang Wan, Ma at Blue Stream
Blue Stream brings three rock groups to the stage this Saturday including up-and-comers Ma, atmospheric electro-rockers Get Better and post-punk group Shang Wan. RMB 50
 

Sunday, Sep 10

The Space Travellers at La Plantation
Out of France (and sadly not space), The Space Travellers invite internationals and Chinese jazz and progressive musicians to La Plantation to exchange musical ideas and revel in the power of improvisation, featuring vocalist Claudia Solal, cellist Didier Petit, Philippe Foch on percussions, Bruce Gremo on flutes and Li Tieqiao on sax. RMB 200

Russian Roulette, Need a Name, Tydi Knots at School
‘Teacher, Drink Up!’ – moving into a headlining slot for the first time at School Bar are punk rock trio Russian Roulette, who play punk rock with a Cheshire-cat smile. They’re joining new up-and-comers for some Sunday night mayhem. RMB 40 (free if you’ve got a teaching certificate).

Dark Haze, OWAT, Die From Sorrow, Heavy Duty at Yue Space
Yue Space takes off their cufflinks and get down and dirty with this heavyyyy lineup featuring some of the metal scenes’ most sought-after characters including dark melodic metal outfit Dark Haze, the blood-curdling Die From Sorrow, and more. RMB  100

The Ands, Toy Soldiers at DDC
Japanese pop punk renegades The Ands return once again to China and they're ready to shake it loose at DDC. The band, who have performed at the MIDI Festival among others, will perform alongside Beijing’s own pop punkers Toy Soldiers. RMB 70

The Sleepwalkers at Rockland
The Sleepwalkers – featuring Scott tearing it up on guitar, and Clancy's bombastic bass lines – bring a little Sunday evening rambunctiousness to Houhai. RMB 80

Zengzhou Zhuo Ga, Zhang Sikun, Gao Ge at Mogu Space
The ladies take over Mogu Space this Sunday afternoon including Lhasa musician Zengzhuo Zhuo Ga, Sichuan folk artist Zhang Sikun, and Gao Ge, the lead singer and guitarist of the band Whistle. RMB 60 (4.30pm start)

FaTiaoKaMuSuo, Xi You at Yugong Yishan
Beijing and Tianjin team up for some rock & roll loving at Yugong Yishan with a special shout out to Fatiaokamusuo, who combine the Tianjin dialect, folk and rock with their own exploration of philosophical ideas and beliefs. RMB 120

Outposts Gangster Motorcycle Club at Temple
The Outposts Gangster Motorcycle Club (OGMC) is pure rock attitude and country music. With a banjo in their lineup, they’ll bring you back to the music of the Wild Wild West (please let that be the Will Smith one), complete with cowboy hats and chaps. FREE

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the venues