Noise Pollution: Hang Nail, Stolen, OB03, Island Mood, Umbrellas, Dungeon Beijing
We're on the home stretch to 2019 folks! There's only one more month to get all our sinning done before we’re forced to make ill-advised New Year’s resolutions. So if that includes being kinder to your ears, then you best get in your licks while you can and indulge in as much live music as humanly possible. Heck, go to three shows in one night if you’ve got to. Gothic post-punk from Chengdu, black metal from Taiwan, and homegrown hardcore punk from down the street – it’s all here for the taking. Have at it…
Friday, Nov 30
Hang Nail, Struggle Session, Wasted Laika, Teddy at School
Head over to School to celebrate the release of Hang Nail’s debut EP. The old school hardcore punk quartet has had a hell of a year: keeping their fierce DIY sensibilities intact and going from playing weekday gigs to headlining weekends. Opening the show are friends and fellow hardcore dudes Struggle Session, art punks Wasted Laika, and Tianjin hardcore street punk outfit Teddy. Check out a recent interview we conducted with Hang Nail here. RMB 80
OB03 at Omni Space
Twin brothers hip-hop duo OB03 has been building a fanbase for years with their unique spin on the hip-hop genre. Recently signed to Modern Sky’s hip-hop label MDSK they dropped their debut with them back in September and have been on the road since. RMB 180
Umbrellas (NZ), Nocturnes at DDC
New Zealand-raised Shanghai-based Nicholas Walsh and his new project Umbrellas, which marries elements of modern hip-hop with soulful vocals and pop arrangements, swings by DDC with the support of indietronic duo Nocturnes. RMB 80
The Great Buffalo Blues, Oldy Baby at Temple
Three-man electric blues group The Great Buffalo Blues weave storytelling tunes with funk rhythms and blues join punk blues pile drivers Oldy Baby as they say farewell to long-time Temple Bar ruffian Bell. Plus, DJ Compact Dicks returns to the capital to play alongside his old chum Cousin Kippy – a match made in heaven. FREE
Saber, Odd Pluton, Drop Science, Odd Mido, Young Pine, DJ Quaver, Dr. Z, PhunkyFeel at Yue Space
A treasure trove of local hip-hop acts converge on Yue Space for a bonafide hip-hop party – expect sets from hip-hop trio the Dungeon, Beijing crew Drop Science, Saber, Odd Pluton & Odd Mido and plenty more cats with phunky names. RMB 150
Lil Jet, YEE at Mao Livehouse
More hip-hop royalty – this time over in Wukesong with Guangzhou rapper Lil Jet and YEE taking over the digs at Mao Livehouse. Top comment on his YouTube page – “if he ain't steal my heart before he definitely did it again.” RMB 168
Nancy Jenkinson Brown Quartet at Bricks
Nancy Jenkinson Brown and her ever-skillful band present a delicious cocktail of music and playful renditions of songs you know and love, providing listeners a new sense of joy for jazz. FREE
Xian, fofox at FM Live
Instrumental composer and performer String AKA Xian, who combines "world music, Chinese traditional melodies, and spiritual/religious themes," joins singer-songwriter fofox this evening in Xizhimen. RMB 60
Stherim, Nick Shy, Derrick, YUNG SSAW, PinkPear, Mic19 at FM Live
FM Live gets down and dirty with this electronic hip-hop night featuring an array of young and hungry artists including Stherim, Nick Shy, Derrick, YUNG SSAW, PinkPear, and Mic19. RMB 50
Sons of Thunder at Modernista
Started by four members from Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies, this new explosive cover band looks to indulge in their love for the '90s and noughties rock music. FREE
Djinns x Inko Tribal Belly Dance at La Plantation
Inspired by the magic of fire, DJINNS will unveil to you the supreme powers of Egyptian queens, the haunting undulations of desert snakes, and the naughty talents of enslaved spirits. This exotic blend of ancient Egyptian and Turkish music, infused with vintage aesthetics will combine elements of contortion, live singing and more into the wildest, most tantalizing tribal belly dancing show. RMB 200
Will Lee Super Band at Blue Note
American bassist, known for his work on the Late Show with David Letterman as part of the CBS Orchestra, as well as performing with various groups in New York City swing through Blue Note this Friday with his band. RMB 460-560
Dan Zengga, Steve Blaque, John Haba, Ahmet Bikmen at Pink Moon
Tibetan folk-rocker Dan Zengga joins American artist and producer Steve Blanque as well as '60s California riffing folkster John Haba and New Yorker Ahmet Bikmen. RMB 66
Timely Rain at Jianghu Bar
Latin tunes, jazzy flavor – all with Timely Rain at the cozy hutong mainstay Jianghu Bar. RMB 70
Saturday, Dec 1
Dungeon Beijing Crew, The Hotline, Larry's Pizza at School
Volume 1 of the new Dungeon Beijing sponsored "O 'JB' kay" series kicks off featuring the whole Dungeon Beijing hip-hop crew, including N-Bomb, C.Jam, Spam, Sweet, Sistakillah.L, Rtruenahmean, and others. Rounding out the bill is electro-rockers The Hotline and long-time running skate punk outfit Larry's Pizza. RMB 80
Zhu Wenbo, Zhao Cong, Liu Liu, Ake at fRUITYSPACE
Experimental music platform Zoomin Night’ head honcho Zhu Wenbo presents two new compositions this evening including one performed between himself and Zhao Cong as well as one with Liu Liu (though it must be noted these compositions have no limits of the number of musicians or instruments). Plus, a set from Hainan sound artist Ake. RMB 40
Tom Forst (US), Lips McKenzie at DDC
Blues Hall of Fame guitarist Tom Forst who has played with everyone – from Johnny Winters to the Allman Brothers – brings his fiery unmatchable skills to DDC with the help of Lips McKenzie – a super band comprised of some of Shenzhen’s most decorated musicians whose unique blend of hip-hop, psychedelic rock, and unstoppable grooves has made them one of the southern city’s top live acts. Check out our interview with Forst here. RMB 80
Narakam, Frosty Eve, Evil Thorn, Ephemerality, Silent Resentment, Bliss Illusion at Mao Livehouse
Long-standing metal label and promoters Mort Productions throw down the gauntlet as they celebrate 17 years with a mosh-pit worthy outing in Wukesong as veteran metal outfit Narakam joins melodic death metal band Frosty Eve, black metal outfit Bliss Illusion and more for a night of head-banging with some of the scene’s fiercest. 7pm start. RMB 200
Island Mood at Omni Space
Veteran indie rock outfit Island Mood, from Xi’an, who incorporate Britpop swagger, post-rock aplomb, folk rock grace and more are returning to unveil their new album. Catch the melodic, lyrically rich rockers over at Omni Space as they continue their nationwide tour. RMB 100
Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at Temple
Audience favorites, Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, RnB, 3-piece horn section, rock and roll to Temple for an evening of knee-slapping good tunes. FREE
3mi at Pink Moon
Neither folk nor rock nor pop, the singer-songwriter Zhang San Mi, something of an overnight sensation in the folk music scene, presents her dream pop-infused tunes this evening at Pink Moon. RMB 90
Kandace Springs at Blue Note
Since Kandace Springs was invited to perform with Prince at a concert to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Purple Rain, she has been making strides. Her debut album Soul Eyes is a favorite for the Grammy for Best New Artist. See this up-and-coming artist at Blue Note this weekend. RMB 180-380
The Spice Cabinet at Modernista
The Spice Cabinet is the jazz machine that slices, dices and reworks every pop number into the frenzy of a pop modern dance beat of wonder. It's pop according to jazz, sprinkled with funk, hip-hop, bebop, rock, and a heavy dose of the avant-garde. FREE
Templo do Samba at Caravan
Templo do samba, have been pushing the Brazilian music culture in China, growing from a handful of people to a full-blown group of samba professionals with over 55 active members. Catch the enchanting sounds of a Pagode – Bossanova, samba, and Latin flavors – this evening. RMB 80
The Hot Club of Beijing at Jianghu Bar
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to Jianghu Bar so best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 70
Saso, Jun, Mothership, Goddamnit Charles, Dr. Juret at Soi Baocaho
Soi Baochao gathers street performers, bedroom artists, and other young talents this evening – from Ugandan singer Saso to the Led Zepplin tribute act Mothership; from psychedelic folkster Dr. Juret to covers band Goddamnit Charles. FREE
Diva Simona Quintet at The Bricks
Italian award-winning singer, composer, educator Simona De Rosa has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the NY jazz scene and continues touring internationally. FREE
Gao Jin Li, Lang Tianyi at Mogu Space
Folk singer-songwriter Gao Jinli performs alongside Taiwanese singer Lang Tianyi as well as Yang Yifan. RMB 66
Five Elements x Yangchen at La Plantation
Yangchen, an advocator of Himalaya culture and Himalaya bowl sound art presents her amazing singing bowls and healing music to La Plantation. RMB 200
Sunday, Dec 2
Stolen at Omni Space
Chengdu’s Stolen continue their ascent down the techno-rock rabbit hole on their ambitious and robust second full-length LP Fragment, produced by Berlin music legend Mark Reeder. With plenty of sci-fi elements making their way into not only the lyrics but the aesthetics of the band’s sound, they’re aiming for something more thematic, letting the songs take their time to build their dystopian world. Catch the band as they bring their kinetic, darkwave take on post-punk this evening as they swing through Beijing as part of their nationwide tour. RMB 150
Time Capsule, Longjin, Windsor Forest, Seagull, Hard Bone, Dream Garden at Yue Space
Head over to Yue Space for some market action followed by some rock and roll. The market features textile printers Yang Zai, who make cool totes and literary company Guangzhou Tofu Sauce. In the evening, catch Britpoppers Time Capsule, rockers Hard Bone, electronic act Seagull, female-fronted reggae act Longjin and more. RMB 50 (market), RMB 80 (show)
Hellward, Evil Thorn, Inferno Requiem, Obsession, Spirit Trace at BSP Livehouse
The Summon All Hate Festival gets underway at BSP Livehouse as an array of pitch black metal bands take the stage and release all the hate pent up in the room (you gots to bring it first) including sets from legendary Taiwan black metal band Inferno Requiem who have been going strong for 20 years. RMB 180
W-Shine7, Seppela, SunMao Music, ShuangBangEr at School
Hip-hop fans and enthusiasts: don't miss out on this chance to catch some of the hottest underground names in Beijing hip-hop. Among those set to make appearances and perform are W-Shine, Seppela, SunMao Music, and more. RMB 100
Kandace Springs at Blue Note
Catch the singer for her second night at Blue Note this weekend. RMB 180-380
Liu Wei, Pierre Brahin, Milan Bieke, Ye Peng Gang, Zhe Lai, Bi Yuan Fei at DDC
Centered on the theme of world music, this afternoon’s show will bring together an array of musicians from around the world including Kazakh dongbula player, percussionist Liu Wei, Pierre Brahin, and more. 3pm start. RMB 80
Krystal Organic Trio at DDC
This soul-jazz organ trio is composed of the new generation of performers including organ and keyboardist Zhou Xia, jazz guitarist Zhang Jing, Italian jazz drummer Antonio Fusco, and singer Simona de Rosa. RMB 60
Zhang Ziwei, He Bingzhen, Slow Pace, Yu Wei, Wu Hao’s Boat at Mao Livehouse
Bucea Miin and Folk Guitar Club of BJUT join forces for an evening of acoustic-led, tender tunes from an array of artists and acts including Zhang Ziwei, He Bingzhen, Slow Pace, and more. RMB 50
Just need to dance? Check out our coverage of Beijing's club scene, here.
Photos: Unsplash, Will Griffith, courtesy of the promoters
