Noise Pollution: Feeder, Oddisee, WorldService Project, The Murky Crows, Nine Treasures
How’s it going Beijing? Feeling spoiled? Cause you should with this many shows nipping at our feet this weekend. Buyer’ choice – from Taiwanese poet rock bad boys to some of metal’s finest outfit; from London jazz punk to hooded avant-garde doom – it’s all here for the taking. So bundle up and let your freak flag out you loonies!
Friday, Nov 23
DFA1989, Hind Brain, SHA! at DDC
Beijing’s premier contemporary doom experimental collective DFA1989 (or whatever crazy acronym your brain can muster) is back with a vengeance Die Hard style for the release of their Nasty Wizard Recordings-produced split tape with a Berlin noise band whose name will not fly on this site. For the Black Friday occasion, they’re looking to stir up Lovecraftian nightmares and anti-jazz dreamscapes with the help of grunge rock punks Hind Brain and prog-rock mischief makers SHA! RMB 60
WorldService Project (UK), Pizza Face, Need Will Need at School
London based punk jazz troupe WorldService Project is back in town ready to stir up trouble with their signature "blend of discipline and chaos that combines throbbing grooves, huge backbeats, grinding fuzz-bass onslaughts and ferocious free blowing." I’ve only heard good things about these cats who are known for their intense, kinetically unhinged live shows – a mix of humor, politics, theatre and raw energy all rolled into one. Catch them alongside female-fronted punks Pizza Face and Need Will Need. RMB 80
Buyi at Omni Space
Ningxia folk-rock legends Buyi – known for their rousing, rustic, and flavorsome tunes, and who have performed for over sixteen years – return with a special performance at Omni Space in Tinatiao in support of their newest release Little Monster. Class acts, these cats, and one of the finest in their genre. RMB 150
Wild Children at Beijing Exhibition Center
This legendary folk band of northwest China has been around for over 20 years. Founded in 1995 by Suo Wenjun and Zhang Quan, singers from Lanzhou, Gansu province, the takes the music from the region to create spellbinding tunes such as ‘Ballad of the Yellow River’ and ‘Gone’. They’re going big (if you haven’t noticed the posters in metro stations) performing at the Beijing Exhibition Center in support of their new release ‘Under the Bridge’. RMB 180-680
Meng Qi, Petface, Zpax, Wen Liang at fRUITYSPACE
Volume one of ‘Sounds of Immersive’ which looks to focus on the theme of Ambient this evening with sets from the multifaceted artist Meng Qi – an electronic music maker, synthesizer designer and all around grand wizard whose endeavors never cease to amaze, as well as sound artist Zpax, electronic producer and composer Wen Liang and former Xi’an musician and sound designer Li Yan AKA Petface. RMB 50
Pavel, Tommy at Mao Livehouse
Rising hip-hop star Pavel, known for this offbeat, hard-hitting raps and slightly pervy mind (his previous release was called Sex) as he hits up Wukesong in support his new EP It which looks to further dissect the mental state and psychology of the Shanghai artist. RMB 180
The Peppercorns, Jajatao, Luo'er, Li Bo at Laifu Livehouse
Founded in Beijing in early 2016, The Peppercorns’ sound is not easy to define – full of fierce enthusiasm, with diverse musical elements and sprawling musical passages that combine synthesizer, the Tremen and the psychedelic guitar sounds is one of a kind. The band releases their new single "Dorian Gray" tonight with help from grunge revisionists Jajatao and friends Li Bo and Luo'er. RMB 100
Jordan Darling, Nathan Borofka, Li Eryang at Caravan
Caravan’s singer-songwriter series continues this weekend with the gruff and cheeky Nathan Borofka, songstress Jordan Darling, and '70s-evoking guitarist Li Eryang. RMB 50 (after 9pm)
Ji Qiuyang, Poshangcun at Yue Space
Urban folk singer-songwriter Ji Qiuyang based out of Chengdu hits the road in support of his forthcoming album. He’ll have support from Beijing based folk-pop outfit Poshangcun. RMB 100
Feeder (UK) at Tango
Welsh alt-rockers Feeder celebrate their 21st anniversary as a band. The seminal British rock act, known for their iconic melodic pop metal has released over ten albums with twenty-five chart-making singles and six gold and platinum records. They’ll be making their China debut tonight over at Tango. Expect a packed house. Read our recent interview with lead singer Grant Nicholas here. RMB 480
Bob Dupont & The Outstanding Vegan Bankers at Temple
The Bob Dupont One Man Disco Band created around the idea of mixing samples, beats, electric guitar and more goes against the grain and teams up with the fusion rockers The Outstanding Vegan Bankers for what will surely be an interesting evening of genre-bending music. FREE
Yu Mu, Chuan Zi at Jianghu Bar
Folk singer-songwriter Yu Mu performs alongside renowned folk singer-songwriter, Chuan Zi, who honed his guitar and lyrical grace whilst spending eight years in a Beijing prison. RMB 100
Eluvia at BSP Livehouse
Eluvia, an acoustic roots-based rock band, blends elements of Western folk with Chinese traditional music, utilizing everything from the banjo to the yangqin, and fused with electric guitar hooks, jangly acoustic guitar rhythms, and heartfelt vocal harmonies, and all underpinned with a solid foundation of rhythm and groove, they mean business. They will be releasing their sophomore album "No Ordinary Love" tonight. RMB 100
Qi Ming, Make Tuzhou, Aaron and Ki Ri & Gossip at FM Lives
Chinese singer-songwriter Qi Ming, known for her dream pop-laced ballads, joins poet and avant-garde folk-rock singer Make Tuzhou plus Aaron and Ki Ri & Gossip at FM Live. RMB 66
Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestre at The Bricks
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to The Bricks. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE
The Flip Side at Modernista
The Flip Side is Beijing’s only live disco band. Bring your boogie shoes and come prepared to freak out, shake your booty, get jiggy with it and celebrate good times and a weekend kick off! FREE
Dan Zengga, Gao Jinli at Mogu Space
Tibetan folk-rocker Dan Zengga joins performs alongside fellow singer-songwriter Gao Jinli tonight in Xizhimen. RMB 66
Saturday, Nov 24
Nine Treasures, Jajatao, Re Di, Awake Mountains, Liberation, The Samans, Song of Chu, Nan, Mo Wen at
It’s an evening of metal with Chinese characteristics as the Big Green Mountain Festival gets underway at Tango featuring a slew of metal’s finest including everyone’s favorite melodic pagan metal outfit Nine Treasures – the Inner Mongolian throat singing thrashers whose Metallic with an erhu twist has made them global favorites at festivals around the world. Plus, Changchun legends The Samans, Beijing grunge-revisionists Jajatao, neo-classical metal outfit Song of Chu, and much much more. 3pm start. RMB 280
Lonely Leary, Carp Slide (Zhengzhou), Brickleberry, Bang Bang Mary at School
Sagittariuses get their freak on (and free entry) this evening at School Bar as the much loved post-punk trio Lonely Leary (returning from their first Europe tour) join art rockers from Zhengzhou, Carp Slide, as well as Beijing indie dance-punk ensemble Brickleberry, and genre-jumping international four-piece rock outfit Bang Bang Mary. RMB 80
Oddisee with Good Company & Olivier St. Louis at Blue Note
Prolific hip-hop artist Oddisee, known for his literate, relatable lyrics that tackle personal issues and political themes as well as his productions, which encompass retro-soul, go-go, and gospel influences, is back for a weekend stint at Blue Note with his band Good Company. The artist who has performed with just about everyone in the business recently released the highly praised The Iceberg – a smoldering window into the soul of an artist thinking critically about individuality and identity. Read our interview with the man himself right here. 7.30pm start. RMB 260-360
Elenore at Yue Space
The ever-catchy Beijing indie rock trio Elenore – tight, melodic, and robust – are back with their latest dose of high-octane, melodically pleasing Britpop and their newest release ‘Midnight Adventure’. While the majority of bands in China that dip their toes into the overplayed UK genre never seem to have the apt attitude or swagger, Elenore feels rough and tumbled, stripped down and hard hitting all the while retaining that classic guitar pop sound that made those bands of the mid-'90s such a hit. RMB 100
Solaris, New Generation, Melvin Wong at DDC
After spending some time in the recording studio, the genre-bending five-piece ensemble who dip their toes into everything from neo-psychedelia to shoegaze, Solaris, are back bringing their expansive sound to DDC for a special performance with the help of post-gazers New Generation and indie rock singer Melvin Wong. RMB 80
Swarrm, By Dream, Miracle Pot at Temple
Drink up this Saturday mixer full of post-rock, fusion jazz, progressive rock, and more offbeat sounds as By Dream, Swarrm, and Miracle Pot (who I’ve been hearing great things about) converge on Temple for some fun. FREE
Sound Fragment at Omni Space
Established in 2001, indie rock outfit Sound Fragment whose poetic and introverted, beautiful and profound music has been heard at festivals across China for the past decade, are back in fighting form, and they’ll be teasing their new album, their first in 10 years, at Omni Space tonight. RMB 150
Next Door Band, Life Awaits, Li Wenqi, Hong Weihao, Magic Stone at Mao Livehouse
A strange mix of pop and hardcore, and emo – tonight has no qualms shaking things up as the emocore outfit Life Awaits – who’ll be charging across Japan next month – join longstanding indie pop outfit Next Door Band and more. RMB 150
Scary Honey, Necronoumena, Left Behind Children, The Tek Dead at 13 Club
Things get heavy this evening in Wudaokou as the Core Coalition comes out swinging with help from these metal-core outfits including The Tek Dead, Left Behind Children and more. RMB 80
Hutong Rap Battle Vol.11 at Soi Baochao
Head to Soi Baochao and lay down your best rhymes as an array of rappers compete and jam to their heart's content. Let host L-Force and Dojo Shaolin get the good times rolling. FREE
Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at The Bricks
Audience favorites, Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, three-piece horn section, rock and roll fun to The Bricks in Sanlitun. FREE
Killer Bunny, Bad Fruit at BSP Livehouse
Three-piece experimental noise band Killer Bunny gets their kicks over at Chaoyangmen alongside five-piece rockers Bad Fruit. RMB 80
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre at Modernista
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista to help with their seven-year anniversary celebrations. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE
Liu Donghong at Pink Moon
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 Nanluogu Xiang. RMB 80
Mec Saxo at La Plantation
Go through the classics with Mec Saxo, one of the first professional saxophone quartets in China consisting of four young concert performers, who graduated from multiple domestic and overseas higher institutions of music. 7.30pm start. RMB 200
The Hunters at Jianghu Bar
Beijing’s hottest crowd-pleasing outfit and one of Beijing’s best foreign cover bands The Hunters combine old school funk, soul, and rock classics with intoxicating delivery. RMB 70
Sunday, Nov 25
The Murky Crows (TW), The Sign of Human (TW), Mr. Graceless at Yue Space
Touted as ‘one of the most exciting and darkly eclectic bands to emerge from Taiwan’s indie underground” seven-piece rock poets The Murky Crows have been gaining quite a traction since teaming up with Ruby Eyes Records – their sounds takes everything from post-punk, post-rock, and traditional Chinese music into something thematic and epic. They’ll be teasing their forthcoming new release alongside the more brooding and menacing post-punk outfit The Sign of Human, also from Taipei. Local support comes from jangly indie pop group Mr. Graceless. RMB 130
Ma Bang at School
Guangxi based world music outfit Ma Bang who mixes elements of folk, reggae, and rock with music from various southern Chinese minorities like Zhuang, Dong, Yao, and Miao have risen through the ranks over the past few years after building a large fan base through constant touring. Their efforts paid off after they signed with Modern Sky in 2018, and the band is currently on tour in support of their new release TuWei. Seriously one of the most fun and spirited groups of the ilk out there. RMB 100
Oddisee with Good Company & Olivier St. Louis at Blue Note
Prolific hip-hop artist Oddisee, known for his literate, relatable lyrics that tackle personal issues and political themes as well as his productions, which encompass retro-soul, go-go, and gospel influences, is back for a weekend stint at Blue Note with his band Good Company. The artist who has performed with just about everyone in the business, recently released the highly praised The Iceberg – a smoldering window into the soul of an artist thinking critically about individuality and identity. Read our interview with the man himself right here.7.30pm start. RMB 260-360
Band X at Temple
Band X or Cha – which could either mean cross or open your legs – released their grunge-filled rock and roll throwback Beautiful People earlier this summer and now they’re hitting up Temple as part of their nationwide tour. FREE
Wang Shengnan at DDC
Beijing based singer-songwriter Wang Shengnan, who just released her warmly received newest LP Deep Sea Fish earlier this year returns to her indie-pop roots with a special performance at DDC this afternoon. 3pm start. RMB 80
R.O x Konoba (Belgium) at DDC
The Belgium pairing of singer Belgian singer Konoba and producer R.O is the classic example of “the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.” R.O’s impressive electronic production skills provide powerful and rich beats and synths while Konoba’s haunting vocal melodies and harmonies add a thick layer of emotion and catchiness. Catch them at DDC tonight. RMB 100
Kalmah (Finland), Die From Sorrow at Mao Livehouse
Melodic death metal band from Oulu, Finland that formed in 1998 and has been gracing audiences with their epic retellings of everything, including battles between man and fish. The folk-tinted metal band will be joined by our own Die From Sorrow in Wukesong. RMB 360
Mixed Theory, 4U, Struggle Session, Ban, Nightingale, Left Behind Children, Mo Wen, Zi Wu at BSP Livehouse
BSP Livehouse kicks off another extensive Sunday afternoon-into-evening workout with a slew of hard-hitting hard rock, hardcore, and metal bands looking to sweat out their weekend hangovers including Struggle Session, Mixed theory, Left Behind Children and more. 3pm start. RMB 100
Infinitus Trio at La Plantation
Catch the critically acclaimed beatboxing string trio known for their unique sound and upbeat performance style. With a repertoire featuring classical standards and original jazz/hip-hop arrangements and compositions, Infinitus is quickly becoming one of North America's premiere chamber groups. 7.30pm start. RMB 200
Shi Yuji Jazz Trio at Modernista
Enjoy relaxing Sunday evening with finest jazzy tunes by Shi Yuji (sax), Xing Yifan (bass) and Yang Wei (drums). FREE
Want to cut a rug instead? Check out this weekend's nightlife offerings here.
Photos: Will Griffith, courtesy of the promoters
