Noise Pollution: Bohan Phoenix, Kamasi Washington, 13 Years of Yugong Yishan, and Ketchup Fest

Rappers' delights, anniversaries, post-punk invaders from Hong Kong, and all the ketchup 'staches one could ask for – yes, it’s time to dip our toes once again into the abyss that is the music scene here in Beijing. And trust me, it’ll pull you right in, dragging you kicking and screaming into the venues and sweaty mosh pits that make up the life force of this beautiful beast. No point in resisting. No point in fretting. Cause let’s be honest – you wouldn't have it any other way. Have at it.

FRIDAY, SEP 22

Raggabund (Germany), Nova Heart, Default, Tulegur at Yugong Yishan
Yugong Yishan – one of the longest-standing venues on the scene; the place that hosts some of the best bands out there from here and abroad; and one of the best Bloody Marys in the city – celebrates 13 years of bringing the goods with a killer and still pending lineup of bands, from German reggaeton outfit Raggabund, to electro-disco queens Nova Heart (a rare occasion as the band seems to play more heavily on the international circuit these days), Inner Mongolian duo Tulegur and up-and-coming shoegaze blazers Default, who are indeed having quite the breakout year. I'd expect quite a few surprises as well. Congrats YGYS! RMB 150

Bohan Phoenix & DJ TOY, Howie Lee & Dutch E Germ, Jason Hou at Omni Space
NYC-based rapper Bohan Phoenix closes out his Do Hits-sponsored Asia tour at Omni Space. The rapper, who's been immersing himself in the hip-hop scene here for the past couple years, hopes to be a piece of the culture here back home. Alongside Bohan, producer Jason Hou will be presenting his latest A/V set, while Howie Lee will tease a new collaboration with Dutch E Germ of Gang Gang Dance. As always with the Do Hits kids, we can expect some intriguing new sounds that'll have your eardrums doing laps. RMB 100

The All Seeing Hand (NZ), Hind Brain, None at Temple
New Zealand industrial freak rockers continue their reign of occult terror with a stint at Temple. Seriously out-there sounds that pummel you with their bombastic rhythm and frantic infectious energy that's part Mongolian throat singing, part face-melting electronics, and part power-drumming mayhem. Highly recommend. The trio will be joined by new cannon ballers Hind Brain and No Name. FREE

Kamasi Washington (US) at Blue Note
The Los Angeles saxophonist Kamasi Washington – who's been one of the scene’s most respected musicians after hitting it big in 2015 for his contributing work on the landmark Kendrick Lamar album To Pimp A Butterfly, followed by his critically acclaimed solo release The Epic – is one of the few jazz musicians still able to fill concert halls. Kamasi Washington is simply operating on another level. Catch him at Blue Note. RMB 400-500

Octopoulpe, Digou, Milu, Uncle Bad, Glass Man of Song Dynasty at School
One of the best performances I saw last year was the one-two-punch combo of tentacled drummer Octopoulpe, based in Seoul, and the Wuhan-based theatrical and slightly mental Digou, who brought the house down at Hot Cat Club. Looks like the mischief-makers are back with their high-octane, high-concept mayhem along with fellow madman and keytar freak Milu and new skinhead School freeloaders Uncle Bad and Glass Man of Song Dynasty. Devilishly good times await. RMB 60

Laurent Maur, Emile Calme at Yichang Cafe
Back from Asia where they have just been awarded first prize in the International Harmonica Festival, Laurent and Emilie are now presenting their new project, Duologie, a ‘tale of poetry and feeling, of traveling and discovering’ featuring the two esteemed artists on flute and harmonica. RMB 80

The White Papers, Penicillin, Wu Jiu, New Youth at 13 Club
Instead of hitting the books and getting a head start on your studies, why not get an education in rock & roll at 13 Club – the university center for music – with a pretty hefty lineup featuring beloved Britpop outfit Penicillin, post-punk gallopers The White Papers and more. RMB 60

Gabrielle at Snail Club
Indie folk artist continues her transformation into an artist to look out for as performs at the new Snail Club in Pinganli. RMB 100 

Gentle Grapes, Miss Mix, The Diagon Alley, FM.E, Dream Garden, Self Portrait at Tango
Pop-rock and more at Tango with these young idealized bands taking the stage for a chance at fame including Britpop outfits The Diagon Alley and Dream Garden, as well as all female rockers Miss Mix, and much more. RMB 100

Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC, so best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 50

Wang Huafeng at Yue Space
After ten years of being behind the scenes. folk singer-songwriter Wang Huafeng is finally ready to unveil his latest album which he's been patiently working on for the past two years. RMB 100

Lucky Roots, Rawhxvanmarley at Soi Bao Chao
Bust out the dreadlocks 'cause it's time to get your reggae on over in Baochao Hutong as the hangout gets lit with lots of reggae groove and a few live acts to keep the vibes going. FREE

Zhang Ming, Zhang Haonan at Rockland
Folk musicians Zhang Ming and Zhang Haonan appear at Rockland, the intimate Houhai venue. RMB 80

Liang Zi, Pu Han, Lao Di at Mogu Space
Inspired by an array of artists such as Terry Callier and Damien Rice, three singer-songwriters take the stage at the Xizhimen space. RMB 60

Saturday, Sep 23

Gong Gong Gong at fRUITYSPACE
Interdimensional boogie-woogie blues guitar-bass duo Gong Gong Gong, made up of Josh Frank (of Hot and Cold) and Tom Ng (of Offset Spectacles) throw a release show/fundraiser for their upcoming New York showcase and recording with a free late afternoon gig at their basement hangout. There you can grab their latest Rhythm n’ Drone, on sexy cassette. FREE

Dirty Fingers, gogoj, Anxt, Gao Jiafeng at DDC
Ketchup Festival kicks off at DDC offering a wide range of experimental, vaporwave, electronica, and punk flavors with an eclectic lineup featuring cellist gogo j (Sheng Jie), bedroom mashup artist Gao Jiafeng, electronic producer Anxt, and Shanghai punk ruffians Dirty Fingers. Expect the unexpected and dive head-first into the Ketchup dream. And for you market junkies, get to DDC early for the Countryside Market hosted by the festival organizers. RMB 80

Hugh Reed & the Electric Shadows vs. Tekno Prisoners at Temple
For the second half of day one of Ketchup Fest, 'Face Me On Stage' returns to Temple putting two bands (literally) against one another for good ol' fashion stand-off where each band takes turns playing a song in their arsenal, feeding off each other and just maybe tearing each other to shreds (on guitar). And with a Scottish veteran rocker facing off against the young and maybe insane Techko Prisoners, all bets are off. FREE

David Boring (HK), The Fallacy, Lonely Leary at School
Hard-hitting Hong Kong post-punk outfit David Boring, fronted by the dangerously alluring and bombastic Laujan, return to Beijing with their newest album Unnatural Objects and Their Humans – ‘a portrait of toxic dystopia’ and all kinds of righteous. Better yet, they'll be joined by Xinxiang post-punk trio The Fallacy and Beijing's own Lonely Leary, both stellar acts in their own right. Gonna get sweaty and cramped. RMB 80

N.B.S (US), Jackson Turner (US), Dungeon Beijing, Raddam Ras, SistaKilla.L, Odd Couple, C-Jam at Yue Space
Underground legends and Boston rap duo N.B.S, who have toured with names such as Onyx and Mobb Deep, will be teaming up with New York’s Jackson Turner for a massive Asia tour, combining forces with some of the freshest Chinese rap artists for their blazing show in Beijing including Raddam Ras, Odd Couple, and more. Expect a hip-hop extravaganza complete with tattoo booths, food, and graffiti workshops. RMB 100

Kamasi Washington (US) at Blue Note
The Los Angeles saxophonist Kamasi Washington – who's been one of the scene’s most respected musicians after hitting it big in 2015 for his contributing work on the landmark Kendrick Lamar album To Pimp A Butterfly, followed by his critically acclaimed solo release The Epic – is one of the few jazz musicians who can still fill concert halls. Kamasi Washington is simply operating on another level. Catch him at Blue Note. RMB 400-500

Kamila Nasr, Pierre Brahin, Yang Dong at Yichang Cafe
Kamila Nasr and Pierre Brahin are a Beijing-based duo, who perform a wide range of styles of music. Their show is powerful, eclectic, and energetic - and explores and mixes popular and well-known folks songs from Iranian and Afghan accompanied by Flamenco rhythms. They will be joined for a special performance at Yichang Café by percussionist Yang Dong. (7.30pm start) RMB 60

Recycle, Summer Sunshine, 0190, LiangLiang at Yugong Yishan
Longstanding pop-rock outfit Recycle present their new album, The Least Favorite Kid in the Family, with a blowout show at Yugong Yishan with fellow skateboard punk and pop rockers Summer Sunshine and 0190 as well as Twisted Machine singer Liang Liang. Expect pop-rock royalty to emerge as the band kicks off their nationwide tour. RMB 100

Liu Donghong & Sand at Jianghu Bar
Blues-ridden singer-songwriter Liu Donghong and his band The Sand have been known as one of the most important rock & roll groups in China since their formation in 1998. Catch them giving a special performance this evening at the hutong space. RMB 100

Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at 4Corners
Audience favorites Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, R&B, a 3-piece horn section-supported, rock & roll fun to 4corners as they say happy birthday to their ringleader. 50 RMB

Philco Fiction (Norway) at Mogu Space
Oslo-based duo Philco Fiction bring their indie-pop sensibilities to Mogu Space as they hit the road to promote their sophomore release Talk/Brag. RMB 70

Cats, Wicked Bones, Katnyska, San Shi Shi Li, Getter Better at 13 Club
13 Club takes you back to school in style with this rocking showcase spanning multiple genres (and age demographics) including Cats, Wicked Bones, Katynska, Getting Better and more. RMB 80

Korpiklaani (Norway) at Tango
Korpiklaani is a folk metal band from Lahti, Finland formed in 2003 – ranges from the violin-and-guitar paean to the Finnish god of fermentation Pellonpekko, to the "typically" themed metal "Wooden Pints," and "Crows Bring The Spring," which is strongly reminiscent of "Ride the Lightning"-era Metallica. RMB 300

Brusker Guitar Duo at La Plantation
Based out of Modena, Italy, Eugenio Polacchini and Matteo Minozzi (aka the Bruskers Guitar Duo) are known as "two leading figures in the motley world of guitar" and "a source of inspiration for guitarists." They bring their modern take on classical jazz to create a unique and stimulating world of sound. (7pm start) RMB 180

Joker's Belief at Modernista
Rock & roll with a heart of funk – Joker's Belief take over the Baochao hotspot for some fun. FREE

Sunday, Sep 24

Li Jianhong, Not in Catalog, Dirty Fingers (unplugged) at fRUITYSPACE
Ketchup Fest continues with even more curious sounds to wrap your ears around – guitar noise mastero Li Jianhong brings the pain alongside freak jazz outfit Not In Catalog (who are aging like fine wine), as well as a special unplugged performance from those Shanghai trouble makers Dirty Fingers, and a stand-up set from comic Yang Li. Groovy stuff. RMB 60

Subs, Lonely Leary, 4 Channels Club, MC Dawei at DDC
Ketchup Fest gives its swan song at DDC with some high-octane performers and bands belting it out on stage including the queen of punk Kang Mao and SUBS, rap favorite Dawei, post-punk scrapers Lonely Leary and 8-bit soundscaper 4 Channels Club. Hell of a way to go out. RMB 80

The Glamour Manifesto, M.E.T.A (Denmark) at Omni Space
Italian industrial electro-rock trio The Glamour Manifesto has been steadily building their fanbase over the past year with an array of festival appearances and now they’re ready to hit the road for a China tour alongside Danish electro-pop outfit M.E.T.A. RMB 100

Li Eryang at Yichang Café
With influences ranging from Neil Young to Bob Dylan, avant-garde guitarist, Li Eryang refuses to stick to one pattern, exploring new possibilities and playing in a style that’s anything but conventional. Catch him at the cozy café venue. (7.30 start) RMB 60

Jin Song at Yue Space
With just a simple homespun guitar and harmonica, the Lijiang-raised folk singer-songwriter Jin Song has amassed a legion of fans, performing poetically potent folk tunes that strike deep. He now returns to Beijing with his latest album in tow. RMB 120

WHAI at Snail Club
Electro-rock demigods WHAI shake it up a bit for a special live broadcast hosted by the new Snail Club at Pinganli. Expect mischievous fun and a good excuse to check out the new digs. RMB 100

The Guzzlers, Boss Cuts, SanShiShiLi at School
School wants everyone to just take a chill pill and groove out to the surf, rock, and folk sounds they've rounded up for their latest Sunday outing which includes the slowly expanding surf rock outfit Boss Cuts. RMB 40

Tana String Quartet at La Plantation
Recognized by The Guardian as "impeccable players" and the recipient of an array of international awards, the Tana String Quartet places no boundaries when selecting style or genre and often present classical repertoire alongside contemporary works. RMB 180

The Mountain High at DDC
Appalachian roots explorers The Mountain High bring the folk, country and gospel sounds of America to DDC for a special afternoon showcase. (3pm start) RMB 70

Zhang Qianqian at Mogu Space
Veteran sing-songwriter Zhang Qianqian, a staple of the folk scene since her debut in 1996, gives a special showcase courtesy of Mogu Space. RMB 80

UPCOMMING:

Tinariwen at Tango 3F, Nov. 16
Top notch gig promoters Split Works made a huge announcement recently: they are bringing Grammy winning critical darlings Tinariwen to China in November. These Sahara rockers won a Grammy in 2012 for "Best World Music Album," and their famous fans include everyone from Robert Plant to Thom Yorke. (8pm start) RMB 260 presale, RMB 300 door