Noise Pollution: Chic-a-Go-Go at School, HVOB at Omni Space, Modernista's Anniversary

A new Mao Livehouse rolls through town; a Chicago children's television staple swings through; and tours and more tours from bands of all ilk – just another week for the vivacious music scene here in Beijing, where there’s never enough and always too much all at once. Considering I’m more of a ‘glass half-full’ kinda guy, I’m fully ready to take the weekend on and charge full steam ahead into the musical mayhem that's in store. Bring it. 

Friday, Nov 10

SUBS, Gum Bleed, The Sino Hearts at School 
Chic-a-Go-Go, the legendary Chicago rock and roll TV show comes to China for its first ‘China Special’ that will feature, interview, and dance with some of the strongest acts on the Beijing music scene. Since 1996, the American Bandstand-style "dance show for kids of all ages" has been shining a spotlight on the diverse musical acts in the US and beyond, and they're ready to party in Beijing where the queen of punk SUBS will join anti-establishment punk vets Gum Bleed and The Sino Hearts for what will surely be a righteous extravaganza that will, of course, involve lots of "dancing." So best bring your dancing shoes. Read our interview with Miss Mia of Chic-a-Go-Go here. RMB 80

Fox Capture Plan (JP), SNSOS at Yugong Yishan 
Jazzy instrumental rockers Fox Capture Plan, out of Tokyo, bring their Cinematic Orchestra-like brand of modern jazz, covering classics like ‘Paranoid Android’ as well as performing a handful of originals. This ain't your grandson's post-rock. This is some technically exquisite stuff that has the bubbly form of a jazz troupe. Support from rising jangly post-rockers SNSOS who have been on a tear as of late. RMB 120

HVOB (Austria), Hielektromen at Omni Space 
Austrian electronic-pop duo who have been successfully able to win over both the indie and electronic critics swing through Omni Space with their latest studio release Silk, which saw them collaborating with Mumford & Sons' lead guitarist Winston Marshall and even got them a slot on Boiler Room. Lotta buzz 'round these two. Color me intrigued. RMB 150 

Scare the Children, Ogenix at Temple 
Everyone's favorite nightmare-inducing, mask-wearing horror metal troupe returns once again to Temple to wreak havoc before the band, alongside fellow hard-hitting Beijingers and industrial metal outfit Ogenix, hit the road in Japan for the rest of November. So best believe they're bringing their A-Game. FREE 

Wu Hongfei at Mao Livehouse 
Heads up folks – Mao Livehouse in Wukesong (not the extinct Gulou one) is up and running so expect to see a lot more from them in your weekly updates. Tonight they host one of Beijing’s most esteemed folk artists – Wu Hongfei – who has been integrating electronica, trip-hop and her Dong minority culture (from Guangxi province) more and more into her music, including accompaniment by the Dong Ethnic Music Troupe. RMB 150

Stevie Mac & the Mac Daddies at Modernista
The ever-expanding (10 members deep at the moment) jazz-pop ensemble Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Modernista as the venue continues its month-long six-year anniversary celebration. FREE 

Wu and The Side Effects at Jianghu Bar
Unsung heroes of the blues-rock scene, Wu and The Side Effects are set to release their second album this coming year – but before then, they’ll be bringing it tonight at Jianghu Bar where they’ll "fuse blues, funk, rhythm, and gospel" together into a wicked concoction. RMB 60

Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
The multinational gypsy jazz ensemble bring their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so best bring your high spirits. RMB 50 

Eric Allen, The Beijing Bandits at Soi Baochao 
Rock and roll, rhythm and blues, with a touch of twang – catch southern-fried singer-songwriter Eric Allen alongside the Texas-raised Beijing Bandits. FREE

Mr. S, Yiwen Lei, OWAT, Windsor Forest, Oreo, Slow Motion, Suijichen & Zhenggui Zuoye at Yue Space
Electro-rock, indie-pop, hard rock, Britpop – you name it, Yue Space’s has it covered this evening with this ragtag mashup of up-and-coming artists looking to make their mark on the scene. RMB 100

Source Code, Wicked Bones, Gravitation Force, Soprano, Kepler at 13 Club 
Rock out this Friday in Wudaoku for 13 Club’s ‘Singles Day Eve’ showcase with core rockers Source Code and Gravitation Force, as well as hard-hitting rockers Wicked Bones, Kepler, and more kicking off the unofficial holiday. RMB 80

Robben Ford (US) at Blue Note 
With five Grammy awards, 35 albums, and countless performances across the world to his name, blues guitarist Robben Ford means business. He has worked with Miles Davis, George Harrison, and Joni Mitchell, among others, and will be bringing his band with him to Blue Note this weekend. RMB 280-480.   

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

Eluvia at Snail Club
The multinational group whose music is described as ‘organic roots music with hints of rock, reggae, and country seasoned with a modern variety of Chinese folk music’ bring the rhythm and groove to Pinganli. FREE
 

Saturday, Nov 11

UMU (NZ), Future Orients, Default at Temple 
New Zealand musician, Daniel Beban, of Orchestra of Spheres, who's been quasi-residing in Beijing for some time, puts together an indie-rock firecracker of a lineup featuring his ‘tribal music from another galaxy’ project UMU performing alongside melodic indie-groovers Future Orients and shoegazers Default. FREE

Banana Peel, Underdog, 4Chinks at School 
Get your ska punk fix with one of the country’s finest ska acts – Guilin’s Banana Peel, who will be swinging through Beijing as part of a mini-tour. The punk royalty will be joined on tour by Beijing’s own ska outfit Underdog (made up of punk royalty) and reggae-infused up-and-comers 4Chinks, whom I’ve heard good things about. Where to be if you’re looking to sweat it out. RMB 80

Dream Spirit, Armour Forest at Yugong Yishan 
Seasoned Mongolian heavy metal troupe Dream Spirit have slowly risen through the ranks in the past few years, touring across Europe, playing at Wacken Festival, and building a legion of fans. So much that they’re being touted as the second coming of legendary hard rock band Tang Dynasty. Their latest album General Triumphant feels very much like an old-school yaogun tribute and it’s all the better for it. Catch them bring down the house at Yugong Yishan with support from fellow veteran metalheads Armor Forest. RMB 100

Life Awaits, SNSOS, The Skin I Live In at Mao Livehouse 
Melodic hardcore outfit Life Awaits hit it big this year with the release of their Waves – painted with heavy shades of emo and alternative rock, bringing emotional futility to the forefront of the genre. Catch them at the newly christened Mao as the band rolls through as part of their massive nationwide tour. Support from instrumental sound-shifters SNSOS and emo rock outfit The Skin I Live In. RMB 100

Paolo Gàiba Riva (Italy), Ding Chenchen, Zhu Wenbo, Zhao Cong at fRUITYSPACE
Improviser and noise maker from Italy, Paolo Gàiba Riva likes to dig deep and explore both extremes of the sound spectrum, using everything from electronics, field recordings or even a clarinet. He’ll join Zoomin' Night power couple Zhu Wenbo (a clarinet freak himself) and Zhao Cong as well as mischievous noise maker Ding Chenchen in a variety of collaborative performances. RMB 40

Reflector at Workers' Stadium 
Arguably one of China’s biggest pop-punk acts, three-piece band Reflector, who have been slinging it since the late 1990s, have been raking in fans and respect for twenty years  – no easy feat. They celebrate their scrappy upbringings and rise to fame with none other than a performance at Workers' Stadium. RMB 190-880 (or scalp like a true hero)

Sean Nicholas Savage (Canada), Molly Nilsson (Sweden), Better Persons (Poland) at DDC 
A globetrotting indie-rock showcase featuring a trio of under-the-radar talents from Canada and Europe including lo-fi rocker and acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Sean Nicholas Savage, Swedish dream-pop singer Molly Nilsson and Polish new wave synth-pop musician Better Persons. RMB 120 

Trace Bundy (US), Wang Kai Zhong at DDC
Renowned American finger guitarist Trace Bundy joins up with Shenyang guitar maestro Wang Kai Zhong for a nationwide tour – catch them swing through DDC for an early evening show starting at 6.30pm. RMB 100

Pure Band, V89, Ban, Time Capsule, Heping Lu Bei, Wild Reggae Guide at Laifu Livehouse 
For all the single ladies out there – come hither to Shuangjing and rock out with all the single fellas with this alluring lineup of up and comers – from the grunge reggae outfit Pure, to the Britpop tumble of V89 – they’re something for everyone. RMB 80

Drop Science, Dirty J, Bluso, Double Fish, Xiaoyu Shiye, Xiao Yudan, Jin Jian, Sean Lee, Mai Boy, Sabado, Tuzi, L.D.M at School
Celebrate 11.11 with an afternoon hip-hop festival at School Bar featuring a horde of young rappers including Drop Science, Bluso, and more who’ll go head-to-head and team up with one another for an epic rap battle. RMB 100 

Straight Fire Gang, Safe Landing at Omni Space 
The rap team Straight Fire Gang, made of the Shanghai and Hangzhou members who met and began in the US whilst earning their degrees, have been making a killing with their mixes and singles over the past couple years, earning them quite the following. Catch them at Omni Space alongside Beijing rap duo Safe Landing made up of two Beijing Modern Conservatory of Music students. RMB 150

Jordan Darling, Ko, Michael Geelhoed at Yichang Cafe 
Regular crowd pleaser and indie songstress Jordan Darling joins up and coming artist Ko, who's been building up some serious street cred as of recent. Last on the bill is offbeat Australian alternative country singer-songwriter Michael Geelhoed. RMB 80 (7.30pm start)

Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista to help with their six-year anniversary celebrations. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE   

Olivier de Spiegeleir (Belgium) at La Plantation 
The exceptional Belgian pianist, Olivier de Spiegeleir, who has graced stages all around the world; acclaimed for his great clarity, his sensitive and delicate sound and transcendent repertoire gives a special recital at La Plantation. RMB 200 (7pm start) 

Sondia at Jianghu Bar 
Chinese jazz singer Zhang Ying, aka Sondia, known as a ‘jazz goddess,’ brings her contemporary jazz flavorings and supple voice to Jianghu Bar. RMB 80

Robben Ford (US) at Blue Note 
With five Grammy awards, 35 albums and countless performances across the world to his name, blues guitarist Robben Ford means business. He has worked with Miles Davis, George Harrison and Joni Mitchell, among others and will be bringing his band with him to Blue Note this weekend. RMB 280-480.   

Dokedo, ZHI16, Joy Ginger, Luxixi, David’s L!VE at Yue Space
Some of the electronica scene’s hottest contenders, whose marvelous work has been featured on Do Hits! Records and Babel Records, throw a single day powwow at Yue Space – ZHI16 and Joy Ginger both fresh off their killer debut LPs join for an electronic extravaganza. RMB 80

Qi Ming, Zhu Wanqing at Mogu Space 
The ladies take over Mogu Space this Saturday afternoon including the Leonard Cohen-influenced Qi Ming, as well as Sichuan Conservatory of Music graduate Zhu Wanqing, whose style blends pop, jazz, country, and folk. FREE (4.30pm start)

Danzeng Gaoka, Pu Han, Eric Allen at Mogu Space
Later in the evening at Mogo - folk artists Danzeng Gaoka, Pu Han and Eric Allen give special Single’s Day performances. Danzeng Gaoka, from Lhasa, mixes Tibetan sounds into her piano and guitar. Pu Han sings jazz, '60s classics, and Kazakh folk songs. Singer-songwriter Eric Allen brings the soulful sounds of America’s heartland to the Beijing stage. FREE

Simba, Nasty Ray, Wang Dazhi, Axin at Tango 
Cause it ain’t a weekend without a blow out hip-hop show, once again at Tango (think these rappers have the rest of the year booked), giving the mic to Simba, Nasty Ray, 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

The Beijing Bandits, MA, Syndrome 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 alongside metal rockers MA and pop-punk kids Syndrome. RMB 80
 

Sunday, Nov 12

Tumour Boy, Struggle Session at School 
Looking for brutal, fast-paced shreds and neck snapping blasts? Then head to School this Sunday where hardcore thrashers Tumour Boy release their new single "Final Extermination" with support from the ever-busy Struggle Session. Thrash lovers unite! RMB 60 (w/ CD)

Wintersun (Finland) at Omni Space 
Snow and ice, behold! Viking metal legends from Finland come to Omni Space to show off their luscious locks and killer guitar shredding. Was gonna include the poster but I think the band promo picture pretty much sums up how awesome this is gonna be. RMB 200

Shaoyibei, Liu Dongming, Landlord’s Cat, Cuikai Chao at Yugong Yishan 
Modest, relatable, and engaging – Yugong Yishan hosts four pop-folk stars whose down-to-earth storytelling tunes have earned them a strong fanbase over the years. RMB 266

Scarlet Horizon at Yue Space 
Beijing visual kei outfit brings their theatrical death metal to Yue Space. The band just released their latest LP Mist – which explores different genres and styles of modern metal elements onto deathcore, bringing VR music (what the hell?) to a new era. RMB 80

Wu Gui, Wang Xingzhi at Mogu Space
Southern China folk singer-songwriter Wu Gui brings his poetic full of bite and ridicule to Mogu Space alongside Wang Xingzhi. FREE

Parakeet at Blue Stream Bar 
Multi-national pop group Parakeet whose style is a mix of smooth jazz, funk and soul music perform tonight at Blue Stream. FREE

Phew! Still hungry for more? Check out all of our live music listings here. Alternatively, if it's nightlife that you're sprightly little legs are after, there's plenty of that too. 

Photo: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers