Noise Pollution: School Anniversary, Lucky Tapes, LBM May Day Showcase, Kingdom of Rain, Sean Zh.
Yahoo! May Day! Hope everyone’s enjoying themselves! It’s a bit hectic over here, but I’m going to try to soak up these holiday vibes as much as possible. And with Strawberry Festival returning (more on that here), as well as School Bar’s eight-year anniversary, and Live Beijing Music’s own May Day hoedown, I think we’re going to be alright! Here’s your holiday rundown.
Saturday, Apr 28
Peace & Wave, Three Kings, A Li Pu, Candy Monster at School
School Bar celebrates 8 years of music, drinking, absurdity, and late nights. This evening should be no different, with a stellar lineup that includes two red-hot visitors from outside of Beijing. Making the trek up for the occasion are rockers Three Kings from Taiyuan and upbeat blues riffers Peace and Wave from Shanghai. Joining them are Xinjiang folk ensemble A Li Pu and School Bar house band Candy Monster. It’s gonna get wild. RMB 100
Lucky Tapes (Japan) at Yugong Yishan
Japanese city pop band Lucky Tapes takes the stage at Yugong Yishan with a full seven-member lineup. The group is touring China in support of the release of their new EP 22, so expect some new music at the show. Expect 1970s retro pop tunes whose melodies stick with you. RMB 250
Sean Zh. (Canada), Peatle (Taiwan), H.O.G, Gcolt, DU$$, Bamboo, Scope, Miko at Yue Space
Vancouver-based hip-hop artist Sean Zh. appears at Yue Space in support of his new EP, 6+1=7. The artist is signed with Canada’s Cloudy Tunnel and is touring with Peatle, one of Taiwan’s best-known rappers. They’ll be joined by a slew of Beijing regulars for a hip-hop filled evening. RMB 150
Kingdom of Rain, WHAI, By Dream, The Sino Hearts at Temple
Big and loud – the way Temple likes it – as Taiwanese psychedelic soundscapers Kingdom of Rain join our own psychedelic trippers WHAI plus post-rockers By Dream and power pop hooligans The Sino Hearts. A grab bag of fun I say. FREE
Soft Sound Bank, The Fooloo, Xi You at Mao Livehouse
Indulge in the indie pop sounds of these three up and coming bands who like to infuse their accessible easygoing sounds with Chinese elements – from the Chinese opera tale of Xi You to the urban folk of Soft Sound Bank and more. RMB 150
4 Channels Club, The 5th Dimension at Soi Baochao
8-bit and electro-pop tunes take over the Baochao dive bar as the chiptune Gameboy composer 4 Channels Club joins dreamy electro-pop duo The 5th Dimension. Digging Soi Baochao’s commitment to the music scene this past year - so head over there and show them some love. RMB 55
Nightingale, Three-Quarters Dead, Outspoken, Hell’s Gate, Mixed Theory, Duan Ji, Bei Luo Shi Men at LaiFu Livehouse
Bring on the pitch black night and the emotions that come with it – as we head down to Shuangjing and headbang with our fellow brethren at this riotous metal-filled evening. RMB 100
The Da Vinci at Omni Space
The young indie rock outfit The Da Vinci, fresh off their peppy and poppy debut with Modern Sky hit the road for their first-ever tour – catch the youthful and sincere lads at Omni Space tonight. RMB 100
The Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble bring their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 60
BJ69, Remu, Electric Sewage at Hot Cat Club
From the UK, from Siberia, and from beyond Hot Cat Club is going all out this holiday with showcase after showcase – tonight offers dark and trippy prof rock, old school metal and more.
Steve Blaque, Eric Allen 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. RMB 60
Xu Jun at Snail Club
Xu Jun of the Qin style rock band Che Nian Po performs solo at the cozy hostel stage nearby Pinganli. RMB 60
The Joe Longardner Quartet at Jiangsu Bar
The Canton Project’s saxophonist Joe Longardner joins Italian pianist and composer Francesco Ori, bassist Ding Rui, and Shu Junquan on drums as The Joe Longardner Quartet pays tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane. RMB 80
Satoshi Kataoka Quartet (US) at The Bricks
Satoshi Kataoka is a guitarist, composer, and arranger living in New York City. He attended the Jazz Performance program at The City College of New York where he studied with world acknowledged musicians like John Patittuci, Mike Holober, Scott Reeves and many others. He’ll be breaking it down at The Bricks with his quartet. FREE
Teresa Deng Tribute at The Bricks
Once upon a time, Teresa Deng is the voice of East Asia, she is the super icon and star of all Chinese generations. Where there are Chinese, there will be Teresa's fans. Come and time travel back to the 1980-1990's listen to the sweet magic melodies of China. FREE
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. FREE
The Basement at Modernista
The Basement, the multi-national rock and soul outfit, ‘united through serendipity and the love of music’ get down with it over at Modernista. FREE
Sunday, Apr 29
Mary See The Future (TW) at DDC
Melodic and tender indie rock outfit Mary See the Future bring their Britpop-inflicted noise pop to DDC as the band rolls through China on their tour. The band has garnered quite the fanbase since their formation in 2007 so expect waves of fans soaking in the expertly made pop tunes. RMB 80
D-Mix, Xigga, Rea, DJ. LBean, Bad Blood, Too Dope Dudes, and Slan.G at School
Hip-hop troupe D-Mix and their legion of cohorts descend upon School Bar this evening for the Beijing stop of their current tour! On the road from their home of Wuyi down south, set to perform tonight from the D-Mix crew are D-Mix, Xigga, Rea, and DJ. LBean! Representing Beijing and opening up the show are Bad Blood, Too Dope Dudes, and Slan.G. Most likely sold out. RMB 120
Dungeon Beijing, DJ Mark, RapaciouzC, Dj Wild Wata, Wukongoo, DJ 4tael at Kirin Place
Nothing like a hip-hop block party to celebrate the start of the holiday. Head over to Kirin Place as red-hot rap collective Dungeon Beijing joins a slew of other hip-hop artists, producers, and beat makers for some good old-fashioned fun. 3pm start. FREE
Acid Accident, PizzaFace at Soi Baochao
Not concerned with genres, Beijing's PizzaFace state that they're "here to serve you a tender and sweet dream" but admit that "Perhaps the extremely violent temper comes from we are about out of our hormones.” Suits PizzaFace. They’ll be joined by ambient post-rockers Acid Accident. RMB 55
Satoshi Kataoka Quartet (US) at DDC
Satoshi Kataoka is a guitarist, composer, and arranger living in New York City. He attended the Jazz Performance program at The City College of New York where he studied with world acknowledged musicians like John Patittuci, Mike Holober, Scott Reeves, and many others. He’ll be breaking it down at DDC with his quartet. 3pm start. RMB 60
Ghetto Beijing, D-$auce, Chair Man An, Jia Bin at Hot Cat Club
Composed of an array of young and hungry rappers – Ghetto Beijing is bringing the party to Fangjia Hutong a long with the help of fellow rap up and comers D-$auce, Chair Man An, and Jia Bin. Color me intrigued. RMB 80
Mademoiselle et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
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
Kingdom of Rain (TW), Yan Baizhou at Mogu Space
Taiwanese psychedelic post-rock outfit Kingdom of Rain joins local singer-songwriter Yan Baizhou this evening. RMB 60
Le Rafiot, Great Buffalo Blues at Modernista
Performing eclectic music styles from blues to Andalusia-colored rhythms La Rafiot joins electric blues trio Great Buffalo Blues for some fun this Sunday. FREE
Li Er Yang, Liu Shu Ning, He Da Qian at 69 Café
A freewheeling’ time in Wudaokou as three acoustic players bring their love for folk to the tiny stage. RMB 60
Man Man, Guo Die, Li Zi Fa, Liu Changyuan at Snail Hostel
Folk night at Snail Hostel as an array of acoustic-loving singer-songwriters take the tiny stage at the Jiaodaokou institution. RMB 50
Pitchfork, Hz, Hua Qiang, Fantasy World at Laifu Livehouse
Tunes of unknown origin happening down in Shuangjing – but if I had to guess I’m going to say a bit of hard rock, some folk, and plenty of indie pop. RMB 50
Johnny O’Neal Trio at Blue Note
Neo-bop jazz artist, vocalist, and pianist Johnny O’Neal has played with a host of jazz greats, from Dizzy Gillespie to Ray Brown. See him with his jazz trio (Ben Reubens on bass and Itay Morchi on drums) at Blue Note this holiday. RMB 400
The Beijing Beatles at Temple
Beijing’s foremost Beatles cover band – dressed in full Beatles regalia get down and dirty at Temple where they’ll perform all the hits from every Beatles era, from Beatlemania to the White Album hippie period. FREE
Monday, Apr 30
Pharrell Williams, OneRepublic, Carly Rae Jepsen, Phoenix, Macy Gray, Chen Wei Ting, Tse Ting-Fung, Daya at Changyang Sports Center
The Grammy Festival isn’t messing around – a top-notch lineup of some of the world’s biggest singers and bands – most of them Grammy winners! Look its Pharrell Williams! Macy Gray! French indie favorites Phoenix! Even Cantopop stars Nicholas Tse! Yeah – if you’re going, you’ve already got your ticket. RMB 580/880
Struggle Session, Hell City, Return the Truth, Xiao Wang at School
Volume 7 of the "Friends Family Forever" series, which celebrates all things hardcore music in Beijing, kicks off tonight with a special (translated) screening of ‘American Hardcore’ a documentary by Steven Blush. Hosts Mei Er from Anti-Dogs and Lao Li of Unregenerate Blood will also be on hand to talk about the hardcore community. And providing the music will be fastcore ruffians Struggle Session, metal punks Hell City, hardcore heroes Return the Truth, and female rock 'n' rollers Xiao Wang. 8pm start. RMB 80
641, Goodbye Sunset, Death Penalty, Pray Unholy, Hell’s Gate, Gravitational Force, Yue Yan at 13 Club
The stronghold of the Wudaokou area, 13 Club is alive and well these days – this evening they\’re serving up the latest DimeFest, featuring a host of hard-edged rockers including Tianjin’s 641, Goodbye Sunset, Death Penalty, and much more. 100 RMB
Machingon (Mexico) at DDC
Representing the joy of the rebellious youth – Machington from Mexico combine metal, rock, and hardcore, and carry the Mexican's unique tropical rhythm to the audience singing for love, for struggle, for women, even for football. Catch this unique transporting band tonight at DDC. RMB 80
Wang Yitai, Huang Xu, Itsogoo, Nous Underground at Yue Space
Wang Yitai aka Wang Shanhuo known by fans as the most low-key rapper in the CDC Rap House. The unsung hero will be meeting the fans with his latest mixtape FEEL & SIGHT, and has teamed up with Huang Xu, nous underground, and itsogoo to bring the purest rap party to Beijing. RMB 140
Los Crasher, Basement at Temple
Skinny jeans, long luscious hair, and falsetto style screams that throw you right back into puberty, Beijing’s hard rock stalwarts Los Crasher return to Temple and they’ll be looking to have some fun alongside covers outfit Basement. FREE
Sardine is Back and the Wheel is Broken, Black-Eyed Susan, Redundant Seconds at Hot Cat Club
Join the absurdly named and ridiculously fun and off-kilter improvisational punk rock outfit led by some cats you may recognize all about town in other bands cutting loose in the best possible way. They join long-standing rockers Redundant Seconds and country punk outfit Black-Eyed Susan. FREE
Gou Mao at Jianghu Bar
Gou Mao grew up in Taiwan, heavily influenced by mainland music. The rocker now appears at Jianghu with his backing band, an eclectic group of professional musicians and musical educators. RMB 60
General Huge, Rawhx Van Marley, Filla Killa, Dio, Dj Sowl at Soi Baochao
Reggae and hip-hop join forces for a festive, upbeat evening of music as DB Bros Records co-founder and dancehall singer and producer General Huge joins fellow rapper and dancehall artists like Filla Killa, Dio, and more. RMB 85
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 at Mogu Space. RMB 88
Liu Donghong at 69 Café
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over 20 years gives an intimate performance in Wudaokou. RMB 80
Johnny O’Neal Trio at Blue Note
Neo-bop jazz artist, vocalist, and pianist Johnny O’Neal has played with a host of jazz greats, from Dizzy Gillespie to Ray Brown. See him with his jazz trio (Ben Reubens on bass and Itay Morchi on drums) at Blue Note this holiday. RMB 400
Canzilians at Blue Stream Bar
Transnational duo Canzilians – who play a blend of Canadian tones and Brazilian rhythms combined with pop covers, hit up Blue Stream. FREE
Tuesday, May 1
Xiao Wang, Wonder Sea, Pure, Husband Killer at DDC
Live Beijing Music is back at it – throwing together some the fiercest, most tender, genre-expanding sounds Beijing has to offer with a special Labor Day showcase that’ll have your eardrums wiggling in delight and your body twisting and turning as you soak up the last of those holiday vibes – on the bill are grrrl riot punks Xiao Wang, emo rock soundscapers Wonder Sea, reggae-infused grunge renegades Pure, and Chinese folklore flavored punk rockers Husband Killers. An eclectic lineup of this year’s hottest commodities. RMB 50
Sardine is Back and the Wheel is Broken, Rhonda, Hugh Reed & The Electric Shadows, Great Buffalo Blues at Temple
Temple celebrates Labour Day with a rollicking expat-heavy lineup featuring some of the scenes more unhinged performers including the ever charismatic Hugh Reed, Rhonda, Great Buffalo Blues, and the Sardine Peppers Club. FREE
Yoshiki Carnival, Puneet Vohra, Liu Peizheng, 5th Dimension at School
Artists from across the continent converge on School for a riotous evening of sounds including Okinawa outfit Yoshiki Carnival, Indian singer Puneet Zohra, Chinese folk artist Liu Peizheng and local electro-pop duo 5th Dimension. RMB 40
New Workers Art Troupe at BSP Livehouse
Formed at Beijing’s Midi Music School, the New Workers Art Troupe have for more than a decade, used music to reflect on and criticize the reality. Catch their soulful folksy blend of blues and rock and roll this evening at the new livehouse. RMB 180
Victor Bastidas Quintet at Modernista
Director, composer, and drummer Victor Bastidas, a festival regular across the US and Caribbean perform alongside some of the jazz scene’s most dependable characters. FREE
Kingdom of Rain (TW), Strangers of the Fantasy World at 69 Cafe
Taiwanese psychedelic post-rock outfit Kingdom of Rain joins Tsinghua University students and rockers Strangers of the Fantasy World who bring offbeat melodies and rhythms to their music. RMB 80
Juan Ni, Zheng Zhi, Da Shu at Mogu Space
Singer-songwriter and ukulele player Juan Ni, an NYU graduate and founder of Kojima Studios, stops by Mogu Space in Xizhimen alongside fellow female singers Zheng Zhi and Da Shu. RMB 60
Not enough butter for the ol' earlobes? Check all of the city's live music and nightlife events here.
Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers
