Noise Pollution: School Bar Awards, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Ghetto Blaster, Acid Accident, Samaga
Although it’s starting to feel like the holidays already, we still have a few more weekends to kick up as much dust as possible and wail our hearts out before the sound of fireworks invades our eardrums. And what better recipe for keeping the party alive then to hit the streets of Gulou and beyond to indulge in the music scene right here in our humble slowly suffocating abode.
Friday, Jan 12
Ghetto Blaster, Mr. Honey, Wu and The Side Effects, D.Cortisol, Dj Das & Shao at School Bar
New local promoters One Year have cooked up a doozy of a show for their second gig at School – a lean mean lineup without an ounce of fat. Set to play are lively blues rockers Ghetto Blaster, the big band ska vibes of Mr. Honey, the bluesy funkadelic sounds of Wu and The Side Effects and D. Cortisol, and to keep the party going well into the night – DJ sets from Das & Shao. Dig it. RMB 60
Liquid Oxygen Can, Sick Pupa, and Mega Soul at Yugong Yishan
Some of Beijing’s top metal acts, bands that have risen to the top of the genre over the past decade, are bringing pain and glory to Yugong Yishan. The line up includes Liquid Oxygen Can, Sick Pupa, and Mega Soul; If you’ve been around the metal block you damn well know these names. Mosh pit central. RMB 150
Los Crasher, Scare the Children, Tumour Boy, Miss Mix, Voodoo Brothers, Hell City, Click #15 at Yue Space
Promotion juggernauts Vigor throw their latest hard-hitting party featuring an array of hard rock, metal, and indie pop bands, including tight-jeaned '80s style rockers Los Crasher, street punk outfit Hell City, international metal act Scare the Children, blues and rock act Voodoo Brothers, girl indie poppers Miss Mix, funkadelic electro rockers Click #15 and thrash metal act Tumour Boy. Bang for your buck. 7:30pm start. RMB 150
Maya at Mao Livehouse
Wukesong welcomes longstanding melodic hard rock outfit Maya, a band that’s been gracing MIDI Stages and other festivals around China since their formation in 2005. Expect pop-oriented hard rock with grunge and punk influences through in for good measure. They’ll be releasing their new EP on the evening. RMB 100
Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Philippines born sitar player Rudra’s Sage, a scene regular since the heydays of River Bar in Sanlitun, and who studied down the street from Ravi Shankar’s guru, performs tonight playing a diverse set including Indian traditional folk songs and rearrangements of Beatles tunes. RMB 80
Kooj, General Huge, Raddam Ras, King Lion Miguel, Rawhxvan Marley and DJ Sowl at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao gathers some of the hip-hop and reggae scene’s fiercest characters ready to set forth good vibes and smooth beats as General Huge and Rawhx Van Marley of Ultimate Band Crew join Zambian rapper Kooj, Cameroonian singer-songwriter King Lion Miguel and DJ Sowl to break it down at the Baochao joint. RMB 85
Cool Rhythm at DDC
The Cold Rhythm Band is an original band from Beijing based on Blues / Funk. It was founded in August 2016 by female guitarist Gong Zhao, blues harmonica player Zhang Xiaosong, jazz drummer Wu Zhijun and jazz bassist Sheng Zhi. They’ll be presenting their new material on Friday night at DDC. RMB 100
Wireless Puppet, Soulsquad, Nobi, Flower Wall, Hui Ningmeng, RC Rap Collective at T-House
T-House over in Tuanjiehu continues to dip their toes into the music scene and from the looks of it, they’re looking to mix it up a bit at the moment with a indie pop, hip-hopping, pop punk evening of talent from all over China. Newbies catching their break at a newbie venue. That’s swell. RMB 50
Pu Han, Yan Baizhou, Fofox at 69 Café
After taking a week off to tweak their new settings, the recently relocated folk music haven 69 Café is back at it again as they host Leonard Cohen sliced with Kazakh folk musician Pu Han, finger-picked guitarist Yan Baizhou, and regular Fofox. RMB 60
The Great Buffalo Blues, Le Rafiot at Modernista
Funk blues pile drivers The Great Buffalo Blues join fellow blues-inspired troupe La Rafiot providing ‘andalousia-coloured rhythms’ this evening. FREE
Chen Fei, Pupu at Snail Hostel
Independent musician and producer Chen Fei, founder of Pine Cone Music Studio, joins fellow music producer and singer Phillip Halloun, from Denmark, for a collaborative evening of music. RMB 120
Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Featuring Tarus Mateen and Nasheet Waits (US) at Blue Note
Pianist Jason Moran appears at Blue Note with his backing band, The Bandwagon, for thrilling performances on Friday and Saturday night. The performer and composer has worked with big names including Ava Duvernay, and received a MacArthur Genius Grant. He appears with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheen Waits. RMB 480
Cheng Kam Lung, Zhang Yang, Zhou Li at La Plantation
An exquisite violin and piano recital by violin professor at the Central Conservatory of Music of China, Cheng Kam-Lung and fellow violinist Zhou Li and pianist Zhang Yang. 7pm start. RMB 200
Saturday, Jan 27
Macondø, WHAI at Yue Space
An eclectic mix of ethereal synth with searing elements of math-core and instrumental rock, Macondø has been growing and innovating around Beijing’s vibrant music scene for almost three years, and are finally ready to unleash their first studio album. Their music can veer wildly from dreamscapes to calculated fury – a vicious blend that continues to entice fans from a spectrum of musical genres. Catch in action tonight at Yue Space with support from WHAI. Read our interview with the band ahead of their new release here. RMB 80
School Bar 2017 Awards w/ Candy Monster, The White Papers, The Hotline, Diagon Alley, DJ Boss Cuts & ADDJ at School
Screw the Golden Globes! To hell with the Nobel Peace Prize! The School Bar Awards are where it’s at – voted by fans over the past month – find out which bands made the biggest impression at School Bar! Performances during the ceremony will held by electro-rockers The Hotline, doo-wop rockers Candy Monster, post-punk kids The White Paper, and Britpop swooners Diagon Alley – plus a vinyl DJ set from Boss Cuts and ADDJ to keep the party going strong late into the night. FREE
Rhonda, Swarm, By Dream, and an Afterparty with Boss Cuts at Temple
Temple kicks off the weekend with a post-rock night featuring Rhonda, Swarm, and By Dream as well as an extra-long and extended afterparty courtesy of the Boss Cuts, who recently announced they'll be taking a gig hiatus in order to write new material over the spring. FREE
Pure Band, Drunkard, Zu Huan at 80 Music
If you haven’t heard, there’s a new horse in town that goes by the name of 80 Music – a down and dirty new(ish) music venue in Pinganli that’s the real deal. Tonight they host reggae grunge outfit Pure who have been making some noise in the past few months as well as veteran grunge band Drunkard, and thrash metallers Zu Huan. 15 RMB draft and headbanging tunes. Count me in. RMB 120
Acid Accident, Swarrm, SiXi Orchestra at DDC
Crunchy instrumental rock, sweeping post-rock vistas, and hard rock to get those legs moving – just another evening at DDC as they host some of 2017’s newest additions to the scene, Acid Accident and Swarrm, as well as seasoned rockers SiXi. RMB 60
Fu Sha, Xie Yuchi at Yichang Café
Fu Sha will be performing some of his original songs, heavily influenced by Guizhou's ethnic minority culture. He has spent the last few years recording sounds and songs from various villages all over Guizhou, with a quasi-anthropological approach. Supported by Xie Yuchi's delicate touch on the guitar, expect to be surprised. A concert that leaves no one indifferent. RMB 80
Longjin, V89, Soft Sound Bank, Lao Bao, Robella, Dimo, Frog, Luo Bing, Lin Nan, Ren Dong, Zhang Dang Dang, Cheng, Hao Wei, Li Bo, Li Baining, Liu Yaodong, Xi You, Miss Catnip & Mr. Bear at Mao Livehouse
Mao Livehouse in Wukesong throw their own Spring Festival Gala with an expansive, crowd-pleasing lineup of bands and musicians. Catch ballads and sets from reggae girl outfit Longjin, indie-poppers V89, folk-pop veterans Dimo, folk singer Lao Bao, and the adorably named Miss Catnip & Mr. Bear among many many others. 7pm start. RMB 100
JAHA at 13 Club
Mongolian outfit JAHA take the stage this evening, bringing their world music tunes inspired by traditional Mongolian instruments, including the horse-headed fiddle and various Mongolian percussion instruments. Hear these ambassadors of Mongolian culture at the Wudaokou venue. RMB 80
Mish Mash Soul at Temple
Temple forego live music this Saturday and fill the dancefloor with classic rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, and surf cuts instead. The night will be vinyl-only and headed by DJs ADDJ and the Boss Cuts crew. FREE
Dungeon Beijing, Song Shuijiao, Young Clan, Bad Blood, Zulu Bob, WhyBeatZ, Andersonk, Coach:D, Saber, C-Jam, N-Bomb at Voltage
Alright – we didn’t want to have to come to this but here you go. Giving a shout out to Gongti club haven, particularly Voltage club who’ll be hosting a wide berth of Beijing’s freshest (and not yet state-controlled) hip-hop artists including N-Bomb, Saber, the Dungeon Beijing crew, and much much more. This could actually work. RMB 100
Samaga at Jianghu Bar
"Indian, Middle Eastern and worldwide musical influences with a joyful dash of modern harmonies" Samaga melts modern compositions into Indian ambiances, delivering their own interpretation of traditional Arabic Maqam and Indian Raga. RMB 50
Ember Swift at Modernista
Known for her unique, jazz-influenced guitar playing and elastic vocals, the Canadian born Beijing based singer-songwriter Ember Swift has been a fixture of the Beijing music scene for years, releasing an array of LPs and melding Mandarin, English, and French into one intoxicating package. FREE
Tsering at Snail Club
Tibetan folk artist Tsering Norbu returns to Snail Hostel with his music that’s rooted in the traditional Tibetan folk traditions from Lhasa, as well as world music from around the globe. RMB 60
Clustercuss, Yan Baizhou and Gaoge at Mogu Space
A caveman with a toothache who sometimes likes to sing songs – Clustercuss is the indie-folk project from Reese. Come watch him perform at Mogu Space alongside finger-style guitar player Yan Baizhou and 60’s and 70’s rock-inspired Gaoge. RMB 60
Li Eryang, Rudra’s Sage at 69 Cafe
Hear Bob Dylan classics and deeper cuts performed by Li Eryang and Rudra’s Sage at 69 Cafe this Saturday. Fans of classic folk will enjoy performances by the 60’s inspired rocker Li and star sitar player Rudra’s Sage. RMB 60
Forbidden Horse, Gun Bang Monkey at T-House
Blues-infused indie rock outfit Gun Bang Monkey bring their infectious old-school swagger to T-House alongside fellow blues ripping hard rockers Forbidden Horse, both bands who have been steadily making their mark on the scene. RMB 80
Sofar Sounds at Qianmen/Dashilar Location
Sofar Sounds, "the global community where guests and artists come together to experience music in an intimate and respectful setting at a secret concert" throw their latest secret gig this afternoon in Qianmen. read our recent interview with the Beijing organizers here. 5.30pm start. Register here
Voodoo Brothers at Soi Baochao
Power-trio strongly influenced by the 60s and 70s rock and The Blues - from Muddy Waters to Jimi Hendrix they will bring you back to your musical roots. Expect a jam session afterwards. FREE
Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Featuring Tarus Mateen and Nasheet Waits (US) at Blue Note
Pianist Jason Moran appears at Blue Note with his backing band, The Bandwagon, for thrilling performances on Friday and Saturday nights. The performer and composer has worked with big names including Ava Duvernay, and received a MacArthur Genius Grant. He appears with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheen Waits. RMB 480
The Beijing Beatles at The Barn
Their first gig of 2018, catch Beijing’s foremost Beatles tribute band at the Barn this evening for a night of 60’s inspired fun. FREE
Li Bo at La Plantation
A special piano recital from Beijing Central Conservatory of Music graduate and teacher Li Bo who’ll play classics from Beethoven, Shubert, and Chopin. 7pm start. RMB 200
Sunday, Jan 28
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (US) at Yugong Yishan
New Noise hosts Brooklyn indie-pop heroes The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Their second stint in China the indie darlings will be presenting their latest album The Echo of Pleasure which continues the bands signature sound, galloping between dreamy balladry and spotless indie-pop. Big ups to New Noise! RMB 180
Safe State (Switzerland) at School
Founded in 2015 in Switzerland, Safe State is hardcore played loud and fast with an old school touch – its members have been active in the music scene for years and they’ll be looking to stir up some trouble tonight with their modern take on hardcore music. RMB 100
Liron Man (IS), Gilberto Ali Romero Aguilar, Fraivan Concha Aponte at Yugong Yishan
Handpan maestro Liron, the fastest handpan player in the world, has worked with legends everywhere - Zohar Fresco, one of the world's leading percussionists (Israel), Badi Assad, famous singer-songwriter and guitarist (Brazil), Jorge Pardo, award-winning Flamenco/Jazz flautist (Spain), and Govinda Goswami, sitar master (India). He brings his skills and culturally rich and diverse sounds to Yugong Yishan as he joins Latin musicians Gilberto Ali Romero Aguilar and Fraivan Concha Aponte on stage. 7pm start. RMB 100
Sophia’s Garden, Shi Xiaofei, New School Wasted Choir at Mao Livehouse
Warm-hearted Britpop outfit Sophia’s Garden joins graceful folk singer-songwriter Shi Xiaofei, whose songs invoke the Qing Dynasty. Rounding out the bill are punk-pop outfit New School Wasted Choir. RMB 150
SIMQ, Zhang Zikui at Mogu Space
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Zhang Zikui brings his melodic and splendid guitar skills to Mogu Space alongside Chinese Australian singer-songwriter and record producer SIMQ. RMB 60
Great Buffalo Blues, Meng Ma at Temple
After their night at Modernista on Saturday, Great Buffalo Blues return to the stage alongside Meng Ma for Temple's Funk Blues Night – a potent mix to start the week right.
Mojo Hand at Blue Note
The high-end jazz club continues their Good Day Beijing Brunch series offering customers the fine pairing of brunch with top grade music – today they’ll host the blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, performing richly flavored Chicago blues to the Sanlitun jazz bar. RMB 248
See all of our live music listings here.
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
