Folk Rock Returns to NLGX With Newly Opened Pink Moon Livehouse
It’s only been one summer since the original 69 Cafe - a cozy couch-ridden joint located on the busy (i.e soul-crushing) stretch of road that is Nanluogu Xiang which fostered much of Beijing’s young and fertile folk scene for seven years, shuttered its doors. But Xiao Zhan, the long-time music promoter and the man between Mogu Space in Xizhimen and the recently relocated 69 Cafe in Wudaokou, is returning to NLGX with his latest endeavor - Pink Moon - a new live music space that’ll cater to the unplugged folk heroes of Beijing’s music scene. To celebrate, they'll be hosting three consecutive nights of performances from May 25th to May 27th, with an array of musicians.
Located next to the Central Academy of Drama (pretty much across the street from 69 Cafe’s old digs) the new space is named after Nick Drake’s bewitching (and sadly final) full-length album. Xiao Zhan says he hopes the space can both pay tribute to the classic folk songs that inspired so many as well as well as the thriving independent folk scene in Beijing and beyond.
While he hopes to keep things ‘unplugged’, the style is not limited to folk, and Xiao Zhan expects to see more experimental and indie sounds seeping through over the months. The new space also allows Xiao Zhan to allocate different sounds and activities to his other two spaces - Mogu Space and (new) 69 Cafe. The former will become more of a youth art space - complete with vintage clothing, records (most likely from Xiao Zhan’s other shuttered shop - Rockland), as well as performances. On the other end, 69 Cafe, primely located in the bustling university district will slowly morph into a full-fledged rock live house over time.
In what must feel in many ways like a homecoming, it’s good to have the tender sounds of folk back in their original surroundings. In the words of Nick Drake: "Pink moon is on its way. And none of you stand so tall. Pink moon gonna get you all."
For more information on Pink Moon's shows, click here.
Pink Moon
No 2 Yu'er Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District (near the Central Academy of Drama)
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Photos: Courtesy of Pink Moon
