Noise Pollution: D.O.G. Two-Dayer at School, Ritual Day, Joe Henderson Big Band Sound, Xiao Wang
Hope everyone’s rested up and getting back into his or her respective grooves cause it’s time to turn it up a notch and unleash what March has in store. And looks like it was worth the February break cause every venue out there is looking to claim victory this weekend with some stellar ravenous lineups. It never felt so good to get back to my mundane existence.
Friday, Mar 2
Holy Shit, The Flyx, Pacalolo, Secret Club, Hangnail at School
School is back in business and they'll be reopening their doors with reckless abandon, throwing a two-day rock and roll bash hosted by good friends and promoters D.O.G who have rounded up a hell of a crew to break in the Year of the Dog – night one features super punk outfit Holy Shit, electro-rock favorites Pacalolo, up and coming thrash punks Hangnail, and more. RMB 100, RMB 150 (two-day pass)
Ritual Day at Yue Space
Veteran black metal band Ritual Day, an indispensable part of China’s metal music scene for over 20 years, are back in town after an epic European tour, in hopes of pummeling you to death with their heavy guitars, hoarse voices and pitch black melodies. Support from their brethren Empty Eyes and Ready to Die. RMB 120
Acid Accident, Rhonda, Xiao Wang at DDC
Girrrl riot kawaii core outfit Xiao Wang return to the Year of the Dog with a vengeance as they join hard-edged instrumental rockers Rhonda and indie post-rockers Acid Accident for a guitar-heavy, head swaying evening at DDC. RMB 60
t€knoprison€rs.de, Los Crasher, Ramblin’ Roze at Temple
Der final final farewell of ‘perennial German bass-raiders with a knack for summoning the sounds of the future frontier from the synthesizers of vintage Dusseldorf’ – catch the madcap spirit of t€knoprison€rs.de one last time with a bit of hard rock vintage support from Los Crasher and Ramblin’ Roze. FREE
WHAI, DJ Komatsu at Soi Baochao
Everyone’s favorite psychedelic prog-rock outfit WHAI, who have been together since 2012 have committed themselves to their heavy, offbeat brand of psychedelic rock and roll find refuge this week in the frequently busy Baochao dive. RMB 80
Samaga at Jianghu Bar
Considered by many as one of Beijing’s most underrated musical acts, world music act Samaga has been infiltrating venues across Beijing with their happy marriage of musical traditions from India, the Middle East, and more, utilizing sitar, oud, and other Middle Eastern percussion instruments. RMB 70
Rudra’s Sage, Yan Baizhou, Pu Han at Mogu Space
Join fingerstyle guitarist Yan Baizhou, sitar guru and singer-songwriter Rudra’s Sage (Raymond) and classic-rock and folk-inspired indie artist Pu Han for this Lantern Festival showcase at Mogu Space. RMB 66
Joe Henderson Big Band Sound at Blue Note
Joe Henderson remains in the pantheon of legendary musicians that shaped the modern sound and approach of the tenor saxophone. Come and join the Blue Note Beijing Jazz Orchestra for a two-night journey through the saxophone legacy of Henderson’s large ensemble works, primarily featured on his famous big band album. RMB 388
The Great Buffalo Blues, Mr. S at 69 Café
Check out up and coming electric blues and funk trio The Great Buffalo Blues who’ll be looking to get you moving your feet alongside five-piece smooth talking folk-pop group Mr. S. Read our recent interview with the band here. RMB 60
Uighur Sama at Modernista
A mixture of traditional Arabic songs and lively Spanish rumba classics, with lyrics both in English and Uyghur, Uighur Sama continue bringing the energetic sounds of Xinjiang to China´s capital. FREE
Li Yu at Snail Hostel
The acoustic singer-songwriter whose credits include everything from soundtracking a play to participating in the 2017 Spring Festival Gala gives an intimate performance at the hostel bar. RMB 60
Eric Allen at Blue Stream
Singer-songwriter Eric Allen brings the soulful sounds of America's heartland to the Beijing stage this Sunday at Blue Stream. FREE
Saturday, Mar 3
Three Kings, LaiSee, The Hotline, Ouch, Screaming Kong at School
School is back in business and they'll be reopening their doors with reckless abandon, throwing a two-day rock and roll bash hosted by good friends and promoters D.O.G who have rounded up a hell of a crew to break in the Year of the Dog – night two features dust and rust Taiyuan rockers Three Kings, hardcore fiends Laisee, ska punk veterans Ouch, and more. RMB 100 (RMB 150 two-day pass)
Macondo, Swarm, The Peppercorns at DDC
Big sounds coming at ya this evening in DDC as three bands with a itch to scratch bring their ferocious walls of sounds and technically acute instrument skills to the stage, clearly ready to welcome the Year of the Dog with all they’ve got – including power post-rockers Macondo, fresh off their debut release, slick prog rock groovers Swarm, and psychedelic art rockers The Peppercorns. RMB 70
Samiyam (US), itsogoo, 1999, DJ 4tael at WEST
Though he first cut his teeth on Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder label, the top-notch US producer Samiyam has been killing it ever since on Stones Throw, the powerhouse label that’s been making its presence known in Beijing over the past couple years. Tonight Samiyam will lay down some tracks at the new Gongti club with support from local rap crew itsogoo, 1999 and more. RMB 150
Yue Xuan, Yang Zi at D-05 798 Art Zone
Following the opening of the new exhibition from visual artist Lai Wei and pianist Yue Xuan – W/M – which combines the two iPad created abstracts and paintings, there will be a special musical performance form Yue Xuan, who is also a renowned composer, pianist, and soundtrack artist whose gorgeous piano works are often viewed as ‘a calm answer to the mixed-up world’. RMB 70
Finger Family, Next Door Band, Penicillin, New School Punks at Yue Space
Wake up from Spring Festival with the help of these powerhouse rockers at Yue Space like pop rockers Next Door, young and vibrant pop punks Finger Family, Britpop swooners Penicillin and new school punks aptly named New School Punk for a fun flavorsome evening of pop-tainted rock and punk. RMB 150
Dangih Nurlan (KZ), DJ Gulu Bazz at Caravan
Dangih is an accomplished musician, guitarist, and singer with a deep attachment to Kazakh music that he grew up with. From his early childhood, the sounds and beats of the steppes have been the soundtrack of his life. After discovering flamenco music, he’s been slowly and steadily refining his technique and is ready to show audiences his skills. RMB 50
Ghetto Blaster, The Hunters at Temple
A birthday dance party is underway at Temple which only means things will be extra sloppy as patrons and birthday guests lap up the infectious dance-ready grooves of blues rockers Ghetto Blaster, and funk rock expat troupe The Hunters. FREE
Joe Henderson Big Band Sound at Blue Note
Joe Henderson remains in the pantheon of legendary musicians that shaped the modern sound and approach of the tenor saxophone. Come and join the Blue Note Beijing Jazz Orchestra for a two-night journey through the saxophone legacy of Henderson’s large ensemble works, primarily featured on his famous big band album. RMB 388
Mushroom Jam Session at Mogu Space
Catch some of Beijing’s favorite folk and indie artists at this Saturday jam session in Xizhimen featuring indie rocker Pu Han, '60s and '70s guitarist Li Eryang and Tibetan folk-rocker Dan Zengga, and more. 4pm start. RMB 60
Matthieu Esnult (FR) at La Plantation
Having performed in over forty countries on five continents, the young and vibrant French pianist Matthieu Esnult is the real deal – catch him give a special piano recital at La Plantation. 7 pm start. RMB 200
X8 at Jianghu Bar
The jazz ensemble X8 was formed in Vienna, Austria, and is made up of eight music graduates who studied at Europe’s finest classical conservatories. They’re now back in Beijing to delight your ears with their original jazz inventions. RMB 60
L-Force, Harley Quinn, Big Fish, Lioness, 7 Leguas, D-$auce at Soi Baochao
Hosts – local rap crew L-Force and DJ Harley Quinn – present Da Hottest Talent Show, giving a ragtag team of a chance to strut their stuff and prove their musical abilities. RMB 60
Parakeet at Modernista
Multi-national pop group Parakeet whose style is a mix of smooth jazz, funk and soul music perform tonight at Modernista. FREE
Li Eryang, Skolar at 69 Café
Ukrainian independent electronic musician Skolar, who blends folk guitar and electronic beats, joins the 60s evoking guitar maestro and singer-songwriter Li Eryang at 69 Café’s new digs in Wudaokou. RMB 60
Tsering at Yushe Cafe
Tibetan folk artist Tsering Norbu hits up Houhai 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
Steve Blaque, Eric Allen, Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Singer-songwriter Eric Allen brings the soulful sounds of America's heartland to Xizhimen alongside fellow American artist and producer Steve Blanque, who also plays in genre-bending rock band The Radiance. Plus some sitar love from Rudra’s Sage. RMB 60
The Great Buffalo Blues, Muti at Blue Stream Bar
Electric blues and funk trio The Great Buffalo Blues join Muti, the duo folk experimental form of Tydi Knots for some late night musical hijinks at the Blue Stream Bar. Read our recent interview with The Great Buffalo Blues here. FREE
Africa Party at Fruityspace
Clearly damage control after the CCTV blackface debacle, underground music heaven will be hosting an evening of African funk, soul, and psychedelic sounds to get you familiar with a whole continent's worth of music in a four-hour span of time. FREE
Sunday, Mar 4
Mak Gao Quartet at DDC
Masterful Australian born trumpeter Toby Mak, one of the premier and most forward-thinking trumpet talents in China, who has worked with everyone from Eason Chan to Soulspeak, and fresh off his acclaimed solo electronic jazz release Unnecessary Update joins the ever prominent and equally masterful saxophone player Nathaniel Gao for a special jazz performance this afternoon. 4pm start. RMB 60
DFA89, Atelier II at DDC
From the horse’s mouth 'cause said horse is so damn fine: ‘From the highest peaks to the deepest valleys, from windswept plateaus to laser lit spires, DFA89 and Atelier II invite you to an evening of venturing through landscapes that remain unseen, but can be experienced in a tangible manner. Yet while invisible geography is the common bond between the two groups the evening will be far from devoid of visual stimulus: Atelier II will perform beneath a shifting abstract projection, a perfect representation of their sonic design process. Meanwhile DFA89 will be accompanied by artist Andreea Hriscu, who will create a live painting in conjunction with audioscapes the group will improvise.’ RMB 60
Li Song, Xu Ran, Guibog’s Robots at Fruityspace
Check out the new exhibition from French artist-engineer who focuses on the ‘immanent biological aspects of mechanical and digital systems’ and will be displaying his adorable Skynet ready robots made from spare pieces of recycled electronic ‘junk’. Afterwards live sets from sound artist Li Song, previously of Xi’an experimental collective System Error, Xu Ran, and of course Guibog’s robots. Gotta love it. RMB 40
Xiao Wang, Grey, Dirty Puzzy, The Fuse at School Bar
Come check out the much-buzzed-about female punk foursome Xiao Wang as they converge on the School Bar stage alongside rock 'n' rollers Grey, punk rock troupe Dirty Puzzy (born out of the band PON) and Brit-pop rockers with a punk twist The Fuse. RMB 40
Pia Fraus (Estonia) at Yue Space
Considered one of shoegaze’s best-kept secrets, the Estonian group Pia Fraus creates catchy, melodic, chiming dream pop. They’ve released five studio albums and a handful of EPs on a variety of international record labels, including their most recent album, Field Ceremony. Expect wall-of-noise indie pop and autumnal ambient-filled synths to wiggle their way into your ears. RMB 120
Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Had a pleasure to catch Rudra’s Sage a few weeks back and was mighty impressed. The Philippines born sitar player, a scene regular since the heydays of River Bar in Sanlitun, whose love for everything from The Beatles to Syd Barrett led him down the path to the folk psychedelic music of the 60s and 70s, gives an intimate performance at the Xizhimen space. 4:30 pm start. RMB 66
Alex Cummings Quartet at Modernista
Alex Cummings is a New York-based singer and saxophonist returning to play with some of his best friends immersed in the Beijing music scene. His quintet will play well known American jazz standards along with original music that puts a twist on jazz, pop and rock music all in one which features some of the music from his upcoming debut album. FREE
Moreno Donadel Trio feat. Nancy J. Brown at Blue Note
The high end jazz club continues ‘Good Day Beijing Brunch’ series offering customers the fine pairing of brunch with top grade jazz – today powerhouse singer Nancy J. Brown joins the superb instrumentalists Moreno Donadel Trio who’ll ‘from up-tempo swing to dirty down-home blues’ each add their unique flavour to the delicious cocktail of music. RMB 268
Fofox at 69 Café
Hear covers of prominent Chinese rockers Zhang Chu – whose Shameful Being All Alone, released in 1994, continues to influence a generation of Chinese artists – from mega-fan and folk-rocker Fofox. RMB 60
Pu Han at 69 Café
Pu Han, who often plays a unique blend of Kazakh and Tuva folk pays tribute to one of his biggest influences – Leonard Cohen – as he performs a set of Cohen covers and Cohen-inspired originals at 69 Café. RMB 66
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
