15 Chinese Songs To Get You Into The Christmas Spirit (Or Just Rock Out To)
Beijing doesn’t mess around when it comes to Christmas anymore. It makes sense from a marketing point of view, but I would have never expected the music scene to take to the Western holiday with such feverish glee, taking advantage of the green and red to wrangle together some spectacular lineups. From punk, rockabilly, jazz all the way to flamenco and good ol’ rock and roll – this year, there’s plenty under the tree. So let’s have a look at some of this holiday’s finest gifts to unwrap.
Monday, Dec 24 (aka Christmas Eve)
Casino Demon at Yue Space
Nothing screams festive like a special acoustic outing from one of the scene’s most beloved rock acts. Casino Demon have been around 15 years – headed by singer and guitarist Wang Zi, they’ve toured the country, released one hit album after another, and now they wanna wish "you" happy holidays, and for the first time ever hold a special big band acoustic show – featuring reinterpretations of their favorite songs – from a 12 string version of ‘Summer Time’ to a bossa nova version of ‘Drink’. Expect a slew of guests to get up on stage and plenty of surprises. RMB 120
Buyi, Mercader, Slap, Naggy & Trouble, Zhang GaSong, Sean Feng, He Jiaoshou at Omni Space
Omni Space, fresh off of their two-year anniversary, is keeping the party going with a fan-favorite lineup of some seasoned favorites – Nanjing folk-rock veterans who have been around for nearly twenty years; crosstalk Beijing folk satirists Slap, folk star Zhang Gasong, Guangzhou post-punk trailblazers Mercader, and much much more. This lineup is seriously all over the place – a Christmas mixtape that’ll impress just about anyone. RMB 150
A Bu at Blue Note
In 1998, American jazz pianist Keith Jarrett recorded “The Melody At Night With You” in his home studio, as a Christmas gift to his wife Rose-Anne Jarrett. It would become one of the best-selling piano albums in the 2000s. This Christmas Eve, the young Chinese pianist A Bu will present a special solo performance at the Blue Note Beijing, on the occasion of the 20-year anniversary since the album’s recording completion. As being seen as China’s most internationally recognized jazz artist, A Bu will play the original tracks from the album, in his own unique and oriental style, to pay a tribute to Keith Jarrett. RMB 698
Obviously (TW), Smoking Area 25 (TW) at School Bar
Keep those spirits high over at School Bar – where two red-hot underground Taiwanese bands will be on hand keeping the firewood burning - female-fronted indie rock foursome Obviously and the ever-eclectic Smoking Area 25 who dabble in everything from indie to folk to electro-rock and have taken Taiwan by storm over the past couple years. RMB 100
Rhonda, I Know What Kind of Girl You Are, Dawei and the Social Poetry at DDC
OK Beng – a band that I’ve been eager to catch since I caught them last year, are back with a new long-winded name and lots of good word of mouth - catch their sassy, humorous feminist pop punk alongside post-rock edgers Rhonda, and the one and only rapper already dressed for the holiday, MC Dawei and his Social Poetry Band. Good fun there. RMB
Mr. Honey at Temple
Temple knows exactly how to bring some holiday cheer to Beijing – with some brass. Long-standing big band ska swing outfit Mr. Honey bring their lively sound to Temple with one dance number after another. Be sure to leave for milk and cookies for DJ Compact Dicks – I hear he’s got a sleigh this year. FREE
Nancy Jenkinson Brown Quartet at Chao Hotel
The one and only Nancy Jenkinson Brown hits the town with a week of Christmas-themed performances at the ritzy CHAO Hotel, bringing along her ever-skillful band of elves offering audiences a delicious cocktail (let’s go with eggnog) of music and playful renditions of your favorite Christmas jams. FREE
New Perfume at Mao Livehouse
Remember that whole pillow fight craze that seemed to happen every weekend somewhere. Well, it’s back – with a vengeance. And with a Christmas theme. This time over in Wukesong where long-standing tender indie rock boys New Perfume (a band I haven’t seen a word about for seven years) will be reigning in the feathered terror (and joy) upon audiences. RMB
The Mantras at Modernista
Modernista keeps it classy this Christmas Eve with a post-dinner jazz showcase from The Mantras – who will of course sing for audiences some great Christmas jazz classics. Bring a date and make it a night to remember. FREE
Tuesday, Dec 25 (aka Christmas Day)
Nerve Resistance, Dark Haze, Nightingale, Death Penalty, Empty Eyes, Sudden Death at 13 Club
They really is no reason for 13 Club in Wudaokou to be celebrating their 14th Anniversary on Christmas but holy smokes – 14 years! Give them the key to the city already for lasting that long. As per usual, 13 Club rings in the birth of our Satanic lord the only way they know how – will some heavy metal courtesy of some of the best in the field, including Nerve Resistance, Death Penalty, Empty, and Sudden Death. Bravo, I say. RMB 120
Rolling Bowling, Ramblin’ Roze, A.D.S at Temple
Temple is where it’s at this Christmas Day – with one of the scene’s most dependable bearers of joy – the one and only Rolling Bowling, Beijing’s premier rockabilly band who’ll join tight jeans wearing hard rockers Ramblin’ Roze, and A.D.S for some festivities and coffee shots into the wee hours of the morning. FREE
Candy Monster, Awake Mountains, Recycling, PB33 at Yue Space
Remember that whole pillow fight craze that seemed to happen every weekend somewhere. Well, it’s back – again - with a vengeance, again. And with a Christmas theme, again. Take out your holiday frustrations with some ‘soft violence’ at the Christmas Pillow Fight while an array of rocker perform including punk rockers PB33, melodic post-metal act Awake Mountains, veteran female-led power pop outfit Candy Mountain, and pop punk kids Recycling. Just don’t fill up your pillow with coal. RMB 130
Hamy, Al Soul, Hong Weihao, JK Lee, D-Day, A.K.A Rose, Chen Zexi, Li Enze at Mao Livehouse
Surprised this is the only hip-hop themed Christmas outing this year – what gives?! ‘True emotions, true music, true love, true dissatisfaction’ is the tagline and that sounds about right for Christmas. On the bill on Changsha female rapper Hamy, Al Soul, Hong Weihao, JK Lee, D-Day, A.K.A Rose, and more. RMB
Brickleberry, Whisk Image at DDC
Keep it breezy and warm with these tender indie rock bands that’ll help you keep the mulled wine snug and downright delicious – as dance rockers Brickleberry with an affinity for synths and cheerful demeanor join the more eclectic Whisk Image, who incorporates everything from grunge to electronic music into their act. RMB 60
Liu Xinyi, Puzzlecrew, Pinky Cherry, Youth Fever, Zhang Dongchuan at BSP Livehouse
Even some of the new hopefuls out there like the Chaoyangmen subway adjacent BSP Livehouse is getting in on the action with a bit of something (easily digestible) for everyone – from pop-punk kids Youth Fever to folk-pop singer Liu Xinyi and all-girl J-rock crew Pinky Cherry. For the kids! RMB 100
Never miss a gig: click here for a huge list of live shows in the city, updated daily.
Photos: Courtesy of the venues
