Noise Pollution: Hind Brain, The Devils & Libido, Fat Fest, Childs, Larry’s Pizza, Rudra’s Sage

Will Griffith | May 31, 2018 10:00 am | Add a comment | 978 reads

Beijing you’re beautiful, for the moment. Stay that way, please! And of all the weeks to throw on some makeup you pick the week I scurry off to Xiamen to recharge my batteries. You would, you mink. And while I’ve already have dug up all the gigs I can hit up in Xiamen (a staggering five over the long weekend), you Beijing are stuffed to the brim with gigs. So no excuses folks – get out there and indulge to the fullest extent.

Friday, Jun 1

Hind Brain, AV Okubo, Whistling Chambers, Glow Curve at Omni Space
Grunge noise makers Hind Brain, one of the bands who has made waves in 2018, celebrates the release of their debut album tonight with a killer lineup featuring seminal Wuhan disco rock punks AV Okubo, ethereal post-rock groovers Glow Curve, and Whistling Chambers, all bands with some killer debut albums under their belts. RMB 120

SNSOS, Macondo, Nomercy, Fencha at M Woods
M Woods’ FAT Music Festival returns! The festival held at the swanky 798 District gallery looks to ‘fuse together elements of fashion, art, literature, and music’ – but let's be honest – it’s all about the tunes. And night one lays it down nice with some instrument rock goodness courtesy of SNSOS and Macondo before electronic wizardry from Nomercy and Fencha. RMB 88

The Devils & Libido (JP), DaHaHa, Pinball City at DDC
The Devils & Libido are back! Made up of bassist Kuniomi Taira and Ken on drums, together they make an alternative noise core two-piece band from Tokyo, Japan that’s equal parts new wave noise, hardcore, math noise and melodic pop. They’re joined by two of Shanghai’s newest rock and rollers – the genre-bending five-piece DaHaHa and classic, bubbly yet hard-hitting garage rockers Pinball City. Devilishly fun times await. RMB 80

Nerve Passenger at Temple
Shanghai indie rock trio Nerve Passenger, made up of two brothers (who probably fight all the time) and a third wheel drummer. They’re in town in support of their debut release Addiction and gotta say – I dig what I’m hearing. Moody, reverb-heavy post-rock angst. FREE

The Sino Hearts, Secret Club, The Last Resort, Stay Gold at School
Celebrate Children’s Day with this adolescently-minded escape from reality with a stacked lineup of punk, Britpop, and indie tunes including power-pop outfit The Sino Hearts, Britpop foursome extraordinaire Secret Club, hardcore heroes The Last Resort, and the all-star pop-punk ensemble Stay Gold. RMB 61

Self-Portrait, Miss Mix, Boss First, Panda Eyes, Screaming Kong at Laifu Livehouse
Shuangjing rounds up some of the pop rock scene’s hardest hitters – from long-standing emotive Self Portrait and the gnarly female power of Miss Mix to Tianjin’s finest, Boss First, and many more. Good to see Shuangjing going strong. RMB 100

Fast Food, Pizza Face at Laifu Livehouse
Yes – it’s true. There are two stages at Laifu Livehouse and it looks like they’re both being utilized. Some next door catch more pop-rock and punk antics courtesy of Pizza Face (who I had good things about last week) and Fast Food – an apt pairing. RMB 50

Finger Family, Time Street, Comb at Mao Livehouse
Peppa Pig and sunglasses give a hint of the fun to be had in Wukesong as some of the pop rock scene’s fiercest contenders square off – including J-rock favorites Finger Family, 8-bit emo rockers Time Street, and Comb. RMB 120

Kamila Nasr, Heike Wyler, The Radiance, Jordan Darling at Caravan
An evening of female singer-songwriter – from the cello maestro Heikie Wyler to the dynamic voice of The Radiance’s Miranda Vukasovic, to songstress Jordan Darling and Kamila Nasr, prepare to ‘be enchanted’. RMB 80

Leo Kalyan (UK) at Yugong Yishan
British-Pakistani singer, songwriter, producer and visual artist from London Leo Kalyan brings his ‘Oceanic, wavey, and ambient’ tunes to Yugong Yishan. An intoxicating blend of pop, R&B and hip-hop music influenced by Indian sounds Kalyan’s music is utterly unique with enough hooks to satisfy just about any music fan. RMB 150

Zhege, The Spice Cabinet, The Hats, Mojito, Room911, Drive-by at Eudora Station
Eudora Station celebrates fourteen years (!) with the Jubilee Music Fest – a three-night party featuring tons of foot-stomping music, free-flowing booze, and a food tent from half-past six every night this weekend. Acts include Zhege, The Spice Cabinet, The Hats, Mojito, Room911, and Drive-by. RMB 168/268

Wen Lin, Shang You & Riff12, Zhou Yaguang at Yue Space
This Children’s Day, bask in the new series ‘Voicemakers’ with three musicians with tons of experiences who are looking to give special performances that mix theater and more. RMB 80

Muti, More Feel, Lei Yuxin at Pink Moon
NLGX’s new Pink Moon – a new haven for folk-minded folk singers and other unplugged acts – hosts the cello/guitar freewheeling duo Muti, indie synth-pop duo More Feel, and more. RMB 66

Mao Zeng Li, XiXi, Li Weiwei at 69 Café
A free-wheelin' time at Wudaokou’s 69 Café as three folk singer-songwriters including Rosewood Bullet’s Li Weiwei, XiXi and more take the stage. RMB 61

Cao Qin at Mogu Space
The prolific and multi-talented indie pop singer-songwriter Cao Qin brings his delicate voice to Xizhimen’s Mogu Space. RMB 61

Soft Sound Bank at Blue Stream Bar
Soft-spoken urban folk outfit Soft Sound Bank or SSB for all you cool kids out there, bring their non-offensive brand of pop-flavored folk to Blue Stream. They might be another band. Sure, why not. RMB 50

Zhang Ziwei, Moumou Xiansheng, Ye Lang, Yu Zi Jun, Tsering at Hot Cat Club
Hot Cat gather’s a bed truck of hardened true blue folk singers for an intimate evening of story-telling tunes. FREE

Kat Edmonson (US) at Blue Note
Critically acclaimed vocalist and songwriter, actor, and dancer, Kat Edmonson has played major stages across the United States, Europe, and Japan, appeared in major motion pictures (including Woody Allen’s latest), performed on radio and television, and released three groundbreaking albums to date. So yeah – hot stuff. Check her wild audiences at Blue Note this weekend. RMB 400

Li Ying, Zhang Yang at La Plantation
Get in a French mood this evening as Mezzo-soprano Li Ying and pianist Zhang Yang play through Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, and Maurice Raver classics. RMB 200

Victor Bastidas Quintet at The Bricks
Columbian Percussionist Victor Bastidas is according to this write-up ‘one of the best drummers live in Beijing’. He’ll be fronting will his top-notch jazz quintet this Children’s Day at The Bricks. FREE

Roberto & The Sons of Thunder at Modernista
This new explosive cover band has been making you all millennials get on your feet with a bunch of well made 2000 hit songs. Be there for their solo debut this Friday, it promises to be another crazy weekend party night. FREE

Saturday, Jun 2

Backspace, Solaris, New Generation at M Woods
M Woods’ FAT Music Festival returns! The festival held at the swanky 798 District gallery looks to ‘fuse together elements of fashion, art, literature, and music’ – but let's be honest – it’s all about the tunes. And night two lays it down nice with some indie rock goodness courtesy of psychedelic indie kids Backspace, New Generation, and Solaris. RMB 88

Childs (Mexico) at Omni Space
The Mexican post-rock band Childs, who has been around since 2001 and is often compared to Sigur Ros for their ‘ethereal electronic nursery rhymes’ bring their trail-blazing soundscapes to none other than Omni Space as they continue their nation-wide tour. Their fan favorites in China so should be a treat. RMB 220

Larry’s Pizza, Summer Sunshine, Stay Gold, FM.E, Panda Eyes at Yugong Yishan
It’s a punk kid’s field day at Yugong Yishan are some of the longest standing pop punks take the stage at Yugong Yishan including skateboard punk legends Larry’s Pizza, all-star punk ensemble Stay Gold, emocore kids Summer Sunshine and many more. RMB 120

Xu Chen, Fei Xinwen, Li Eryang at DDC
‘An afternoon alley in June, the heat freezes the scenery, but it can't stop the beat’. Three musicians with different characteristics and backgrounds, including the 70s evoking Li Er Yang, the city pop meddling artist Fei Xinwen aka Phake Knews, and the Xinjiang-educated Xu Chen for a dog day afternoon. 3pm start. RMB 60

Diagon Alley, Self-Portrait, L-Gentlemen at School
Swooning, emotionally manipulative (ain’t nothing wrong with that) and downright catchy indie pop coming your way this evening at School – with Britpop favorites (with a dance vibe electro twist) The Diagon Alley, artsy indie poppers Self-Portrait, and rock 'n' roll foursome L-Gentlemen. RMB 100

Rudra’s Sage at Pink Moon
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, makes his Pink Moon debut, playing a diverse set including Indian traditional folk songs and rearrangements of Beatles tunes. RMB 66

Pinball City, DaHaHa, secret guests at Temple
Two of Shanghai’s newest rock and rollers – the genre-bending five-piece DaHaHa and classic, bubbly yet hard-hitting garage rockers Pinball City swarm upon Temple for some mischievous fun. Plus, super secret guests. FREE

The Peking Floyd at DDC
Beijing's Premier Pink Floyd tribute band bring their vast and ever-increasing collection of cuts from Pink Floyd's most creative years including Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. While staying true to the original structure, Peking Floyd prides itself on emulating the live performances of Pink Floyd during the 1970s when their improvisation and psychedelic jamming were at their best. RMB 60

Cherry Mor, 9 Crazy Sugar, Malnutrition at Soi Bachao
Punk ain’t dead! Especially at Soi Baochao, the venue, ten years running, that’s been seeing a resurgence this year. Get down and dirty with these new headbangers. RMB 55

Liu Peiyi Qunitet at Jianghu Bar
With the outstanding composer and educator Liu Peiyi on saxophone, New England Conservatory of Music professor Jamie Stewardson on guitar, Berkley and New England College pianist Alexei Tsiganov, bassist Hu Hao and drummer Fiach O’Briain, The Liu Peiyi Jazz Quintet is one hot date. RMB 80

Liu Shang at Yue Space
Liu Shuang is an independent musician. He graduated from the Chinese People's Public Security University, and his experiences there and elsewhere make their way into his intimate and emotional vulnerable folk music. He’ll be swinging through Yue Space as a part of his nationwide tour. RMB 100

Show Lo (TW) at Cadillac Center
Dance-pop Mando superstar Show Lo is a genre-defying (i.e dude knows how to jump on a trend) manufactured ghost in the machine – a bonafide superstar that has made hit after hit that has lauded him Cadillacs filled with cash. You know if you’re going already. I listened to one song and can’t stop. Help me. RMB 280-1,080

Dark Lake, YOL, ChiRen, Li Er Yang, Wu ZhangFa at Mao Livehouse
From world music to psychedelic rock – the poster couldn’t be any clearer! So dip in with the Jurat TT led Dark Lake, the ethnically flavored ChiRen, and much more this evening in Wukesong. RMB 88

Empty Eyes, Moon Feast, Hell Gates, The Death of Tektronix, Last Resort, Relativity Theory at 13 Club
Speaking of posters with clear agendas – MOSH!!!!!! Wudaokou’s 13 Club doesn’t beat around the bush, so head on over and mosh to your heart’s delight with Empty Eyes, Hell Gates, and more. RMB 100

Wang Xiaoyang at Mogu Space
Folk singer, cartoonist, columnist, and a true gentleman – let Wang Xiaoyang sing of early summer nights and the taste of first love this evening in Xizhimen. RMB 100

Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE

Hyper, Blast, Limit, Milk Tea, Zhu QiuLin, Yang Haihe at 69 Cafe
Wudaokou’s 69 Café goes into rock mode tonight with a delightfully rocking lineup featuring Hyper, Milk Tea, Blast, and more. RMB 60

Stevie Mac & the Mac Daddies at Modernista
The ever-expanding (ten members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Modernista for some good times. FREE

Zhege, The Spice Cabinet, The Hats, Mojito, Room911, Drive-by at Eudora Station
Eudora Station celebrates 14 years (!) with the Jubilee Music Fest – a three-night party featuring tons of foot-stomping music, free-flowing booze, and a food tent from half-past six every night this weekend. Acts include Zhege, The Spice Cabinet, The Hats, Mojito, Room911, and Drive-by. RMB 168/268

Excellent Cello Sound at La Plantation
Playing everything from Mozart to Morricone, ECS consists of six young cellists who got to know each other in Central Conservatory of Music. They look to convey the beauty of music to the audience with the excellent sound of the cello. RMB 200

Electric Sewage, Eric Allen at Blue Stream
Hailing from the frozen wastelands of Siberia, and the multi-cultural lands of the Old World, catch international punk rock act Electric Sewage who’ll perform alongside blues singer Eric Allen at the intimate Blue Stream Bar. FREE

Sunday, Jun 3

The Devils & Libido (JP), Triple Griffon, Huang Jin at School
Did I mention that one of the best acts I caught last year and hanging around Beijing this weekend? The Devils & Libido are back! Made up of bassist Kuniomi Taira and Ken on drums, together they make an alternative noise core two-piece band from Tokyo, Japan that’s equal parts new wave noise, hardcore, math noise and melodic pop. They’re joined by Re-TROS game-changing drummer Huang Jin and ‘fresh on the scene’ noisecore band Triple Griffon Live. Dopeeee. RMB 60

Low Bow, Oldy Baby at DDC
Garage rock mindset this Sunday as Irish madman Richard Doran is back in town with his ‘blues/punk/lo-fi/garage/or however you want to classify it’ outfit Low Bow that used to get into all sorts of hijinks. Joining them are rock 'n' roll lovers Oldy Baby, playing punky bluesy tunes. Good (not so clean) fun. RMB 60

Just Chellin' Trio at DDC
Just Chellin' is Joy Stuhr (USA), Heike Wyler (Germany), and Nicole Jahng (USA), bringing their 3 cellos and 3 voices to the stage, whilst playing original music and fun covers with fresh creativity and a little jazzy soul. The last time all three will be together! 3pm start. RMB 60

All Unknown, Stay Gold, Panda Eyes, Glasses Man of Song Dynasty at Laifu Livehouse
It’s a jam-packed Sunday lineup at Laifu Livehouse as pop rockers and School Bar favorites All Unknown, humorous world music ensemble Glasses Man of Song Dynasty, and more hit up Shuangjing. RMB 60

Cherry Mor, Malnutrition, Qingchun Re, Mituan Er at Temple
Punk rock antics all night long at Temple Bar with this rowdy assortment of regular foot stompers and mayhem makers. FREE

Red Fist Trio at Modernista
Modernista welcomes back their always favorite Sunday jazz band the Red Fist Trio. Lead by saxophonist Nathaniel Gao, together with Da Huai on bass, and Xiao Dou on drums, they promise a very atmospheric, melodic yet intense jazz session. FREE

Lang Tianyi, Zi Long, Lan Qian Ruo at Pink Moon
Lang Tianyi, who studied at the Pop Singing Department at Beijing Modern Music Institute joins the Dali raised Lan Qian Ruo and Fuzhou rocker Zi Long. RMB 66