Noise Pollution: The Descendents at Mao Livehouse, The Warbly Jets at Yue Space, Howie Lee at CHAO

I know, I know – most of you work on Sunday. But don’t let that stop you from taking the bull by the horns and charging full steam ahead this weekend for your live music kicks. Live music is working overtime this weekend, so let’s raise a glass to the musicians, bands, and fans keeping the flame lit and show them our support. Venture forth!

Friday, Apr 26 

The Sailor's Grape, Long Jin, Wedge Cut, Yewai Leigei Zhinan, DB Bros at School Bar 
For those looking to inject a little reggae into their night of rock and roll look no further – School Bar will have their cake and eat it as they invite all-star ska outfit The Sailor's Grape (featuring members of P.K.14 and Bedstars among others), long time reggae and folk veterans Long Jin, new reggae ska group Wedge Cut, reggae lovers Yewai Leigei Zhinan, and last but not least, reggae hip-hop collective the DB Bros. RMB 100

Planet & Tree at Yue Space
Folk-rock outfit Planet & Tree continue their rise to success as they present their sophomore release Hidden Period and close out their nationwide tour. Headed by the esteemed and infamous Cui Xudong – a prominent musician from Shijiazhuang whose time included playing with bands such as Omnipotent Youth Society’s processor Nico, Ruins, Soundtoy, and more – the band is a dusty bluesy rock band that’s riffed with soul and the spirit of rock and roll. RMB 120

Guiguisuisui x Shining Soundscape at Aotu Studio
Shining Soundscape – the new multi-media series taking the scene by storm (an artistic performance that combines both digital painting and music, live in a way in which the two mediums feedback to one another) makes its way to Aotu Space. The duo behind the concept, the ambient spiritual punk doom duo Guiguisuisui, fresh off the release of their new EP – which ‘blends minimal wave synths, trip-hop beats, and shoegaze guitars with samples of traditional Chinese instruments and whispered poetry juxtaposed against Chinese opera vocalizations’ will be on hand. RMB 60

Hind Brain, Acid Accident, Break The Silence at Temple
Rock and roll till your heart stops – Temple is bringing the goods this evening with an eclectic lineup of grunge, post-rock, and punk as post groovers Acid Accident, join new grunge torchbearers Hind Brain and up and coming punk rockers Break The Silence. FREE 

Better Off Alive, Lil Yan, Tenzin Dolkar, Miao Shou Hui, Will Pope, Yu Lin at Soi Baochao 
Cangku’s Stock Music Festival brings together an array of diverse voices and bands to Soi Baochao including newly formed indie rockers Tenzin Dolkar, UK singer-songwriter Will Pope, lady killer Lil Yan (formerly of Rustic), rockers Better Off Alive, and more. FREE

Kathy Kosins & Band at Blue Note
Detroit vocalist and ASCAP award-winning composer Kathy Kosins is one of the nation’s most hidden treasures in music today and considered "the real deal," by press and peers alike. Her eclectic musical palette delves deep into the rich history of both jazz and soul. RMB 260-360

DNV Pro Jazz Group at DDC
Founded in 2018 and led by jazz composer and jazz singer Yang Ming is the band's leader and all the band members are outstanding students from DNV PRO – a music edification program for music lovers and musicians, including music theory, vocal training, ensemble, composition, composition, salon, master collaboration, and more. RMB 100

The Great Buffalo Blues at Modernista 
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at Modernista with their unique musical style that’s unlike anything else. Expect a high-energy show that is guaranteed to keep you moving all night. FREE

Ma Liang at Omni Space
Folk-pop singer-songwriter Ma Liang, nominated for the Douban Abilene Music Awards last year, continues his tour of China this evening with a stop at Omni Space. RMB 150

Mr. Nick, Fernando, Jun at Caravan 
Six strings and nothing but the truth! Caravan’s hosts another evening of budding singer-songwriters including Mr. Nick from Serbia, Fernando from Brazil, and Jun from China. RMB 50

Bai An (TW) at Mao Livehouse
Taiwanese singer-songwriter Bai An AKA Ann, considered of the new generation of Mandopop singers to capture the hearts of audiences around China, swings through Beijing to promote her new album 1990s. RMB 150 

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

Liu Donghong at Mogu Space
Liu Donghong, dusty blues singer of Sand, China’s first ‘cold rock’ band, and a scene player for over twenty years gives an intimate performance in Xizhimen. FREE

Lang Tianyi, Mystery at Pink Moon
Female singer-songwriters Lang Tianyi and Mystery take the stage tonight at FM Live for some acoustic-led melodies. FREE

Saturday, Apr 27 

Pacalolo, Candy Monster, Secret Club, Drop Science at School Bar 
Nine years and stronger than ever, School Bar turns another year older and they’re celebrating the only way they know how – a rambunctious evening of music, drinks, and good cheer with a lineup of the venue’s favorites, including dance rock trio and afterparty specialists Pacalolo, School Bar house band Candy Monster, Britpop indie rockers Secret Club, and hip-hop trio from Dungeon Beijing the Drop Science crew. Shenanigans of the highest order. RMB 80

33EMYBW, Gooooose, Simon Frank, Luxixi at Zhao Dai 
A bit of a stretch including electronic music in here, but Shanghai’s 33EMYBW and Gooooose are not your average producers and have been pushing the boundaries of the electronic music for years. Tonight, 33EMYBW drops her newest album – DONG2 – a conceptual album that combines music and voices from the DONG culture with the producer's trademark arachnid high-wire, adrenaline pumping and aesthetically simulating soundscapes. RMB 100

The Warbly Jets (US), Da Bang at Yue Space 
Los Angeles based, but Brit pop at heart, The Warbly Jets, fresh off the release of their latest EP, Propaganda, and two years on the road with Oasis’ Liam Gallagher and the Dandy Warhols, bring their upbeat and bombastic live show to Yue Space as part of their China tour. Support from one of Beijing’s own dance queens – indietronica veterans Da Bang. RMB 220

Howie Lee and Teom Chen, Jason Hou and Miao Jing, Alex Wang and ChillChill at CHAO
Not sure how this one flew under the radar, but three of China’s most cutting-edge electronic producers with be teaming up with three visual artists for a live show unlike anything you’ve seen. The Do Hits! crew – headed by Howie Lee and Jason Hou – and alongside Alex Wang – will be presenting their mythology-rich, dystopian-frenzied, and sino-futurist soundscapes alongside three visual artists with a knack for creating terrifying, virtual worlds that pay tribute to everything from Egyptian civilizations to A Brave New World. RMB 150

Bye Bye Noise, Ghetto Blaster, S.A.W, Labour Glory, The White Papers, Devil Mask, Husband Killer, Jeaqi at Mao Livehouse 
A big night for the new generation of rock and rollers – band that embody the genre at its purest – from the blues-rock of Ghetto Blaster to the Strokes-esque garage rock of Bye Bye Noise, and even the post-punk heft of The White Papers – these are bands that have been working the scene like gangbusters for the last year, so give them a pat on the back over in Wukesong. RMB 120

Boss Cuts, Paths, Pizza Face at Temple
Beijing’s premier surf rock outfit Boss Cuts, get down and dirty this Saturday as they release their debut EP to scores of rabid concert-goers alongside female-fronted glam rockers Pizza Face and poet-rock twisters Paths. FREE

Wu Zhuoling, Demone at DDC 
The multi-talented artist, Wu Zhuoling, from Chengdu, has been a force to reckon with for nearly tens years. Besides being the singer-songwriter for indie band Wednesday’s Trip, she has become a prominent producer and electronic musician, adding in elements of trip-hop and spine-tingling acid to infuse her elegant melodies and tender lyrics. She presents her newest project Halo this afternoon. 3pm start. Read our recent interview with Wu Zhuoling at DDC here. RMB 80

The Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so best bring your dancing shoes. 9pm start. RMB 60

Wang Juan at Jianghu Bar
One of the folk scene’s most pristine and celebrated singer-songwriters, Wang Juan, gives an intimate performance this evening. The esteemed folk ballad writer has recently been incorporating more rock elements in her shows through her captivating voice remains front and center. RMB 80

The Reprobates, Saso & Spirit Rebellion, Dynamic Duo at Caravan 
South Africa celebrates its "Freedom Day," one of the most important days in its history and Caravan, with the help of Jailbreak Wines and CHEERS, is leading the festivities with a whole day of events that’ll be topped off by live performances from The Reprobates, Saso & Spirit Rebellion, and Dynamic Duo. 

Zhang Cheng & The 2econd, Island Mood, Panda Eyes, The Diagon Alley at Tango 
The Enmercurio Festival or Chamber Music Festival for those of you looking for the straight answer, kicks off today with some of the indie-pop scene’s strongest contenders including Mandopop singer and actor Zhang Cheng with his rock band The 2econd, along with Xi’an indie swooners Island Mood, plus Beijing’s own The Diagon Alley and Panda Eyes. RMB 180  

Sugar Blue (US) at Blue Note 
Sugar Blue is known as the Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Parker of the harmonica for his astonishing technical mastery. His style is melodically fluid, instantly recognizable for its soaring trills, flamboyant flourishes and swooping glissandos that bring the tiny dynamo’s remarkable sonic and emotional range to life. Catch him this weekend. RMB 200-400

Hutong Rap Battle Vol.15 w/ Cypher 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. Plus a special hip-hop-filled set from rockers Cypher as special guests. FREE

Ding Yi at La Plantation 
China Conservatory of Music graduate (with a master's on the way) soprano Ding Yi, who has demonstrated mastery of a diverse repertoire of songs ranging from Baroque, Classical, Romantic to Modern, in a number of languages, including German, Italian, French, Russian, Spanish, and English, performs tonight. RMB 200

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

Kanako Ito (JP) at Omni Space
Anime and video game singing sensation (yes that’s a thing) Kanako Ito brings her story-telling voice to Omni Space. I mean if you know her work then you know her work. RMB 280

Lilith Liu Quintet at The Bricks
Jazz it up this Saturday with the new phenomenal diva Lilith Liu and her quartet which features Pierre Pradat on piano, Philipe Megeon bass, and Victor Bastidas on drums. FREE 

Liu Ming, Wu Younan at Pink Moon
Folk singer Liu Ming heads to Nanluogu Xiang alongside singer-songwriter Wu Younan. FREE
 

Sunday, Apr 28 

The Descendents (US), Round Eye, Hang Nail at Mao Livehouse
Milo Goes to Beijing! US pop-punk pioneers The Descendents, who formed in 1977, have been at the forefront of the west coast hardcore punk movement since its genesis in the late 1970s influencing many of today’s stadium-filling punks such as Green Day, Blink 182 and Fall Out Boy. Founding drummer, Bill Stevenson, is one of the most recognizable and respected drummers of the genre, alongside singer Milo Aukerman continue their reign of dangerously alluring punk that’s spontaneous, defiant, fast, emotional, and most of all fun. Read our recent interview with Mr. Aukerman himself, right here. RMB 280

Frozen Cops, Screaming Kong, Red Mustache at School Bar 
Formed in 2015, newcomers to the metal scene in Shanghai Frozen Cops are currently on a multi-city tour of China, and tonight they invade School Bar for their Beijing tour stop! Come check out their brand of heavy/thrash/progressive death metal alongside locals Screaming Kong and Red Mustache. RMB 60

Howie Lee + Teom Chen, Jason Hou + Miao Jing, Alex Wang + ChillChill at CHAO
Not sure how this one flew under the radar, but three of China’s most cutting-edge electronic producers with be teaming up with three visual artists for a live show unlike anything you’ve seen. The Do Hits! crew – headed by Howie Lee and Jason Hou- and alongside Alex Wang – will be presenting their mythology-rich, dystopian-frenzied, and sino-futurist soundscapes alongside three visual artists with a knack for creating terrifying, virtual worlds that pay tribute to everything from Egyptian civilizations to A Brave New World. RMB 150

Spittunes Collective at DDC 
Spittunes returns with their latest poetry and music collaboration tonight (which will be going down in Gothenburg at the same time) with Daniel Rothwell and Jumi Bello collaborating, followed by Anthony Tao with Liane Halton and Brendan McCumstie, which will add in the element of live painting, with finally Zuo Fei on hand giving translations of Chinese poetry. RMB 60

Gentle Grape at Yue Space
Pop-punk outfit Gentle Grape got their start at the ripe age of 18, have been knocking it out of the park as of late, dropping their debut album last autumn and kicking off their first China tour this month. Celebrate with the young scrappers this Sunday at Yue Space. RMB 100

Golden Bamboo Orchestra at Temple
A special performance from the Guizhou orchestra, Golden Bamboo, who combine native music from the southwest with modern day instruments and innovation. FREE

Sugar Blue (US) at Blue Note 
Sugar Blue is known as the Jimi Hendrix and Charlie Parker of the harmonica for his astonishing technical mastery. His style is melodically fluid, instantly recognizable for its soaring trills, flamboyant flourishes and swooping glissandos that bring the tiny dynamo’s remarkable sonic and emotional range to life. Catch him this weekend. RMB 200-400

Seesaw Jazz Quartet at Modernista
The original fusion jazz quartet, made up of locals and foreigners, have a wealth of performance experience and work in different styles, mixing swing, bebop, and much more with improvisational glee. FREE

Summer, i-0 at Mogu Space
Kick off the weekend with some rock and roll at the tiny yet robust Mogu Space in Xizhimen as up and comers Summer and i-0 bring some scruff and charm to audiences. FREE 

READ: Zhao Dai Celebrates 10 Years of (Beleaguered) German Ambient Techno Label Giegling

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of event organizers