Noise Pollution: Shanghai's Mirrors at School, Yue Space Turns One, Painkiller's Metal Celebration

Hay fever be damned! Sniffles ain’t got nothing on what the music scene is cooking up this weekend – a whirlwind of crunchy riffs, infectious melodies, and riotous rumblings – with bands from all around China making the trek to Beijing, a first-year anniversary for Beijing’s newest success venue, as well as another anniversary for our city’s all-metal magazine. Crazy happenings I tell you – must be that hay fever!
 

Friday, Sep 15

Bupishu, SNSOS, Xinqingnian at School
Instrumental rock outfit SNSOS, whose math rock-heavy brand of melodic post-rock has made them one of the best live acts in Beijing host Harbin’s Bupishu – the five-piece band who "skirt the boundaries between folk, post-rock, and electro-psychedelic rock n' roll" – their summer single "Limbo Lane" (which opens LBM’s latest mixture) is a ten-minute wonder – really good stuff. Opening act is Xinqingnian. RMB 80

Ajinai at Snail Club (Huguo Temple)
NEW VENUE ALERT!! Snail Hostel has upgraded and expanded – setting up shop by Pinganli – and from the looks of it, it can fit a heck-ton more patrons. Dope indeed. They’ll be hosting Ajinai, the Beijing-based Mongolian folk outfit, who have carved out quite a collection of lush material since their formation in 2009, with a focus on creating a new dialogue using their background instead of having it keep them rooted in tradition. RMB 80

Motorama (RUS) at Yugong Yishan
Out of Rostov, Russia (where all the cool kids are) comes post-punk outfit Motorama, whose jangly new wave-infused tunes come off as a more upbeat, less suicidal Joy Division. Surprisingly rich music. They’ll swing through Yugong Yishan as a part of their China tour with support from up-and-coming indie rock dreamers Brickleberry (which The Beijinger has translated as "Crispy Balls," which may or may not be a better name). RMB 120

Alpaca, Never Before, Guevnna at Yue Space
Things get heavy and most definitely gnarly at Yue Space with a sludge metal showcase – the write up even gives a definition – "an extreme genre of music that melds elements of doom metal and hardcore punk." Yay! Shanghai visitors Alpaca, fresh off their killer debut release, joins Never Before and Guevnna for some mischievous mayhem. RMB 100

Hugh Reed, The Peppercorns, Bobby’s Satellite Band, Streams of Life at DDC
Post-hardcore, psychedelic rock, Scottish attitude, and more at DDC with this diversely satisfying lineup featuring the theremin-wielding Peppercorns, the instrumental destroyers Streams of Life, indie rock vet Hugh Reed, and Bobby’s Satellite Band, formerly known as Plateau. RMB 60

Djang San at Temple
East-meets-West fusionist and veteran show stopper Djang San – a jack of trades including ‘zhongruan player, philosopher, poet, composer, guitar hero, DJ, one man orchestra, and explorer of new sounds’ – bring their hypnotic, buck wild tunes to the one and only Temple as the band says farewell to their bassist Clancy. FREE

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernsita. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE

OWAT, China Town, Gravitational Force at Laifu Livehouse
Nu metal and other offshoots of metal get their due over in Shuangjing with the help of China Town, OWAT, and more looking to cause some trouble. RMB 80

Los Amigos at Jianghu Bar
Beijing’s first homegrown band to focus on Latin American jazz, Los Amigos, whose members are all lecturers and professors at the Beijing Conservatory of Modern Music, take the stage at the cozy hutong joint. RMB 80

Xie Yuchi at Yichang Cafe
The classically trained Xie Yuchi will perform this Friday in the intimate setting of Yichang Café (read the Beijinger’s lovely write-up on the new cultural hot spot), with a first set dedicated to a classical repertoire, and a second set that will explore flamenco pieces. RMB 60 (7.30pm start)

Nathan Borofka, Jordan Darling, Ko at Mogu Space
American indie singer-songwriter Jordan Darling appears at Mogu Space with Beijing scene veteran Nathan Borofka, always a treat, and Chicago-raised artist KO performing ‘afro-grunge, psychedelic, and ethereal rock music.’ Cool beans. RMB 60

Ma Xiao at Jianghu Bar
The folk artist Ma Xiao touches down at 13 Club in Wudaoku as a part of his nationwide tour with his band. Like the famous fish, the artist’s music has a complex character and a good heart, playing simple, soulful guitar, and mournful flute, and singing about life and love. RMB 100

The Space Travellers at La Plantation
Out of France (and sadly not outer space), The Space Travellers – the jazz ensemble who ‘investigate the fields of contemporary and improvised music’ – bring their A-game to La Plantation. The trope includes vocalist Claudia Solal, cellist Didier Petit, and Philippe Foch on percussions. RMB 200

831 (TW) at Tango
Juggernaut pop-rock outfit 831 out of Taiwan bring their boyish charms and catchy hooks to surely hordes of screaming females at Tango trying to steal locks of hair from their favorite member. RMB 250

The Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio at Blue Stream
Not afraid to dip his toes into other genres whilst staying true to his Cuban roots, the classically trained pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa brings his jazz wonder to Blue Note for two nights. RMB 280-380

The Beijing Bandits at Blue Stream
Made up of a group of Texans, The Beijing Bandits reflects their homeland with interesting blues, jazz, and traditional rock elements. Catch them at the Gulou-centric venue. FREE
 

Saturday, Sep 16

Mirrors, Boiled Hippo, Not In Catalog at School
Hands-down one of the best acts I’ve seen this year, Mirrors are a Shanghai-based precision missile trio of psychedelic mayhem and groove that’s downright primal in its approach. Their catnip-like psychedelia hits you like a freight train and gets your body shaking. Seriously can't recommend this show enough. The band will be dropping in at School Bar with support from some of Beijing’s strangest and more unconventional acts: world beat smiths Boiled Hippo, having a hell of a comeback year, and the beautifully nonsensical freak jazz cadets Not In Catalog. Definitely, a show to get goofy to. RMB 50

Da Bang, Guiguisuisui, Nocturnes, Bloodz Boi, Royal as Purple at Yugong Yishan
Not sure where the ‘Electronic Wild Disco’ fits into tonight’s eclectic showcase at Yugong Yishan, but all I can say is this gig is packing some serious heat. From heavy weight electro rock outfit Da Bang, who’ll be teasing their forthcoming album, to the rising indietronic duo Nocturnes, having a killer year thus far, to the ever-evolving undead opera punk act Guiguisuisui, this baby is all over the place, and all the better for it. Bask in eccentric, animated tunes and you’ll soon find out we all have a lil ‘electronic wild disco’ in our hearts (just about threw up typing up that last sentence). RMB 120

Nous, Toxic Waster, Tractor, Skull Crusher, S.C.O.D, Ancestor, D-Crash, Disanxian, Heavy Duty at 13 Club
The twelfth volume of ‘Trash Till Death,’ a love letter to metal’s more unruly and deranged cousin – thrash music – brings the pain tenfold to Wudaokou with this electrifying lineup featuring some serious heavy hitters including ‘black magic ritual’ kings Nous, speed metal tweakers Tractor, extreme hardcore out of towners S.C.O.D (short for Speak Chinese Or Die – these cats are rad) and much, much more. Best pace yourself kids. RMB 150 (4pm start)

The Harridans, Macondo, Joker’s Belief at Temple
If you can stomach the poster and the ever-prevailing whiteness of it, then you’re in for some kickass tunes over at Temple, where minstrel rock party The Harridans join power instrumental outfit Macondo and funk-slayers Joker’s Belief for what will surely be a riotous evening, full of shirtless men. Yum. FREE

Liu Dongming at Mogu Space
Folk rock singer-songwriter Liu Dongming – a prominent figure in the folk world for years, and whose album with his band The Sand was recently awarded the Best Folk Album Prize from Douban’s Abilu Music Awards, goes solo in Xizhimen. RMB 66

Nuomi, Feng Wei, Li Si, Liu Kefu at Jianghu Bar
When night falls, a band of brilliant Beijing jazz musicians will bring you back to the old Shanghai of the '20s and '30s. Come dressed in your qipao or other 1920s best, and enjoy the musical stylings of vocalist Nuomi, Feng Wei on piano, Li Si on sax and guest vocals by Liu Kefu. RMB 60

Jade Eyes (TW), Zooey Wonder (TW) at Mars Club
Taiwanese band Jade Eyes comes to Beijing in support of their debut full-length LP Addict. The three-piece all-female group fronted by vocalist and guitarist Ling Qing are on the cusp of breaking out back in their hometown, so catch them before it’s too late. Support from fellow Taiwanese electro pop singer Zooey Wonder. 120 RMB

Mimik Banka at Jianghu Bar
Fresh from their Taiwan tour, the indie rock, folk and electronic group Mimik Banka, formerly 16 mins, give a laid-back free afternoon gig at Jianghu Bar before heading off to Germany. One of the scene’s most underrated acts. FREE (4.30pm start)

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at DDC
After a couple months of summer vacation, it's time to reassemble for the first Mac Daddies show of the season. ‘Shake your groove thang’ as the trope mixes all things classic, pop, and big band. RMB 50

MC Big Dog, Nasty Ray, Wang Dazhi, Tianjinfan at Tango
Cause it ain’t a weekend without a blow out hip hop show, once again at Tango (think these rappers have all of September booked out there), giving the mic to MC Big Dog, Nasty Ray (hey its 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

Mysterain at Omni Space
Southern fried melodic metal outfit Mysterain release their latest female-led brand of neo folk-tinged metal music at the Temple of Heaven adjacent venue. RMB 100

Life Journey at M Space
Indie pop runaway successes Life Journey, whom I’ve always had a soft spot for (think early Beatles pop sensibilities), break out their latest release with a stadium concert at M Space in Wukesong. RMB 180-440

Yang Meng at Yue Space
Folk nomad Yang Meng brings to life his latest rustic story-laden album Mountainous Glory at Yue Space as part of his nationwide tour. RMB 120

The Hunters at Modernista
Beijing’s hottest crowd-pleasing outfit and one of Beijing’s best foreign cover bands, The Hunters combine old school funk, soul, and rock classics with intoxicating delivery. FREE

LaLa Angels at La Plantation
Cello duo LaLa Angels, made up of the classically trained and Central Conservatory of Music professors Chu Yi-Bing and Dong Xiao. Class acts. RMB 200 (7pm start)

The Harold Lopez-Nussa Trio at Blue Stream
Not afraid to dip his toes into other genres whilst staying true to his Cuban roots, the classically trained pianist Harold Lopez-Nussa brings his jazz wonder to Blue Note for two nights. RMB 280-380

Xiao Guo at Rockland
Puppy-eyed singer-songwriter Xiao Guo brings his delicate charm, neofolk pop and acoustic dreams to the intimate Houhai venue and distro Rockland. RMB 80
 

Sunday, Sep 17

Run Run Run, The Harridans, Ambient Intelligence, Pacalolo, Loga, Li Xiaoyun x Li Xingyu, Wen Liang, Moxizishi x Yang Zhongguo at Yue Space
Yue Space is 1 year old! Big ups to the Beixinqiao venue that’s been killing in in the past year! Expect a Loreli Market x Vinyl Market in the afternoon, followed by a jam party with a diverse group of musicians and bands. Some really cool acts – from the psychedelic freeform groovers Run Run Run, to ambient soundscraper Wen Liang, disco rockers The Harridans, and even heavyweight folk singer Moxizishi (pretty big deal, that kid) – there’s a lot to take in. But with a price tag of ‘free,’ you gotta give it to Yue Space. To many more fruitful years! FREE

Stone Lion at School
Grungy alt-rockers from Tianjin, Stone Lion, stumble on over to School in support of their crunchy and affecting sophomore release Found Soul. Wrapping their lyric-based hard rock in everything from noise, grunge, to country blues, it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly the band is coming from, and that’s just one of the pleasures of the band that almost at times sounds like a lost grizzled piece of Americana alt-rock. RMB 60

Zhaoze at Omni Space
Ever since I first heard that pluck of the guqin on their 2011 opus 1911 I’ve been a Zhaoze diehard fan – the Guangzhou post rock band, whose intoxicating use of the guqin with post and prog rock elements has won the band accolades from just about everywhere and they’re back in town in support of their new single ‘If I Lose My Youth’. Class acts through and through and always a killer live set from one of the country’s best post-rock groups. RMB 180

KREATOR (Germany), INDenial (HK), Crack at Yugong Yishan
Painkiller, China’s definitive metal platform and magazine goes balls to the wall for their 17th anniversary – hosting European Thrash titans KREATOR who just released their 14th studio album Gods of Violence earlier this year (‘a work of art of utmost vigor, drawing its unfailing power from the pounding heart of one of the greatest, most versatile metal bands of all time). Heavy stuff man. They’re joined by Hong Kongers INDenial and Beijing-based Crack. Let the mosh pit begin. RMB 280

Rhonda, EXBJ at Temple
Rhonda returns!? What have you! The instrumental rock slayers Rhonda may have broken up last May, but it seems the Gods have spoken and have reassembled the band once again and they’re ready to lock and load all over Temple alongside with EXBJ. Yay! FREE

Rafał Sarnecki (Poland) at DDC
Polish jazz guitarist and composer Rafał Sarnecki, who resides in New York now (you would too if you received a scholarship at the Jazz and Contemporary Music program at the New School University) brings his jazz underground sound to DDC with the help of his top-notch band. RMB 60

LaLa Angels at La Plantation
Cello duo LaLa Angels, made up of the classically trained and Central Conservatory of Music professors Chu Yi-Bing and Dong Xiao. Class acts. RMB 200 (4pm start) 

Phew! Still hungry for more? Check out all of our live music listings here.

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers