Noise Pollution: The Drums, U.TA, Joel Ross, Frosty Eve, Hae Ji Kim, Miyavi, and Prajnasonic Night
Winter makes its grand entrance this weekend and it’s not taking any prisoners, which means only one thing – huddling up with your fellow music lovers and dancing the night away to the city’s most deranged, delightful, and riotous bands. Whether it’s wistful dream pop or blissed-out psychedelic blues – whatever keeps your toes toasty and your hearts soaring – it’s there for the taking. Keep warm and venture forth!
Friday, Nov 15
The Drums (US) at Tango
New York-based indie-pop band helmed by singer-songwriter Jonny Pierce whose infectious mix of jangle surf-pop, melancholic new wave, and purring indie rock, are back after six years with their most confessional album yet. Stripping away their lo-fi Factory Records-esque sound, it’s awash with poppier hooks and a sugar-rush propulsion that swings from one contagious, bitingly bitter, and emotionally raw single to another. Read our recent interview with Pierce here. RMB 350
iimmune, Huang Jin, Tremble Mix, punx, Liu Yiwei at frequent collaborative
Prajnasonic – the independent Beijing-based electronic label kickstarted by four of the scene’s more intriguing electronic artists with an affinity for cold, intricate beats take over the new Sanlitun-located frequent collaborative space this weekend to showcase some of the electronic scene’s most offbeat characters. Night one brings forth label founders iimmune, punx, and Liu Yiwei (AKA Far Infinity) as well as Re-TROS drummer maestro Huang Jin and Tremble Mix, the new electronic project from Liu Min (of Re-TROS too), and Xu Feng (former P.K.14 guitarist). RMB 100/120
U.TA (TW) at Yue Space
Atmospheric dream-pop psychedelic rockers U.TA from Taipei, who cite their influences as Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, 4AD, and filmmaker Wong Kar-wai look to "transform all beauty and stylistic decadence into beats, sounds, melodies, and lyrics." They’ve been making waves across the sea for some time, conjuring a starry-eyed world of sound that’s equal parts foreboding and alluring, and are back for their latest nationwide tour. RMB 130
Cicada (TW) at Omni Space
Consisting of violins, cello, acoustic guitar, and piano Taiwan’s Cicada isn’t your average post-rock band. Since 2009, they’ve been making waves in their local music scene, bringing music that reflects the relationship between land and sea, crafting music that embodies the precariousness of nature from the wild coast to the deep jungle. They’re in town with their latest album Hiking in the Mist. RMB 180
The Power Powder, Time Capsule, Sugar-Free Monster at DDC
An evening of infectious, sultry rock and roll with some of the indie-pop scene’s hardest working characters including veteran indie-pop wranglers The Power Powder, Britpop-inflicted Time Capsule, and up-and-coming pop-rock ragers Sugar-Free Monster. RMB 80
Rtruenahmean, P.O.E, Odd Pluton, Be Careful at School
Chinese hip-hop heavyweights Rtruenahmean (of Dungeon Beijing fame) and P.O.E. (Positive Over Evil) team up for a double-bill tour of China, and they’re looking to blow the roof off the house with the help of underground hip hop artists Odd Pluton and Be Careful. RMB 120
Djang San Band at Temple
East-meets-West fusionist and veteran show stopper Djang San – a jack of trades include "zhongruan player, philosopher, poet, composer, guitar hero, DJ, one-man orchestra, and explorer of new sounds" brings his buck-wild tunes to Temple. FREE
Mr. S, More Feel, Bobby’s Satellite, Seagull, Longjin at MTA Space
MTA Space gets back into the swing of things with a rock-filled evening that brings together an array of pop-rock, indie pop, and straight-up pop acts including reggae-pop group Longjin, psych indie-poppers Bobby’s Satellite, synth-pop duo More Feel, and more. FREE
Shinri Tanaka Trio at Fruityspace
Japanese guitarist Shinri Tanaka, playing along Yusuke Ishihara on bass and Takeshi Sakamoto on drums bring a bit of Japanese-flavored jazz to the hutongs. RMB 60
Joel Ross at Blue Note
Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based vibraphonist Joel Ross has had a busy few years, working on projects with everyone from Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, Peter Evans, and James Francies when he's not playing with multiple bands of his own. RMB 240-340
Liu Yaodong at Jianghu Bar
A member of the Wuhai people from Inner Mongolia, Liu Yaodong spent his early years in Guangdong and has worked as a guitar and piano player for several years – now he’s ready to express his ideas in lyrical form. 60 RMB
The Rebel 5 at Modernista
The Rebel 5, formerly known as The Rotten 5, is a soul, R&B, and funk music ensemble covering some of the greatest songs of all time. Tonight they dip their toes deep into hip-hop and Motown. FREE
Hu Xiaochun at 69 Cafe
Up-and-coming indie rockers Hu Xiaochun, whose laidback rustic charm has made them one of the year’s breakout bands, go unplugged tonight in Changping. FREE
BUA Seven at Mogu Space
The BUA Seven guitar club, whose motto is “We are abstract singers in the sense that we abstract,” get down and jiggy in Xizhimen this evening. FREE
Saturday, Nov 16
Ding Mao x Zhu Mingkang x Wang Xu, Heta Uma, Meng Qi, Dayo, Wavwave at frequent collaborative
Prajnasonic – the independent Beijing-based electronic label kickstarted by four of the scene’s more intriguing electronic artists with an affinity for cold, intricate beats take over the new Sanlitun-located frequent collaborative space this weekend to showcase some of the electronic scene’s most offbeat characters. Night two brings forth the hybrid experimental electronic trio of Ding Mao, Zhu Mingkang, and Wang Xu (of Hualun and white+), plus mischievous Hong Kong buzzsaw electronic producer Heta Uma, electronic wizard and shapeshifter Meng Qi, Prajnasonic co-found DAYO (AKA VU), and Wavwave, the colder, more techno-oriented side project of iimmune. RMB 100/120
Frosty Eve at Mao Livehouse
Melodic death metal band Frosty Eve, fresh off their latest heavy LP release earlier this year, celebrate 15 head-banging years on the circuit with a special showcase in Wukesong – a two and a half hour extravaganza with plenty of special guests on hand. RMB 160
Dawanyi'er at DDC
Inner Mongolian indie rock band, whose melodic, rustic, and tender sound led to their newest album Playing Games, which was recorded in Melbourne, Australia earlier this year, swing through DDC as apart of their nationwide tour. RMB 100
Spirit Rebellious, SASO, Van G, Hikmat, Nikita Heaven, Orijinal, Basit at Soi Baochao
Soi Baochao continues their 12 Chapters of a Story showcase with performances by The Paramecia, led by Su whose deep and rustic-voiced singer is known for blending impromptu instrumental and world music. Also on hand are reggae ensemble Spirit Rebellious and art-rock troupe Lang Zhi. RMB 100
Labor Glory, Xuebi Shuochang, JiDi Shi Hao YueDui at School
Jager Music presents "For the City, To Be Better," an evening for music, football, and trying to make a difference in the community. On the music front, set to take the stage are ultras punks Labor Glory, female hip hop artist Xuebi Shuochang, and producer and band Jidi Shi Hao Yuedui. RMB 120
Loaded Dice at Temple
Some of the scene’s finest musicians pay tribute to the one and only Grateful Dead, whose rabid fanbase has kept the band's legacy and music alive, well and vibrant, for decades. Under the name Loaded Dice, and featuring members from Beijing Dead and Shenzhen’s Lips McKenzie it’s gonna be a hell of a good time. FREE
Starr69, All Unknown, The Lightning Club, Mr. Delay at MTA Space
Another rocking evening over at Shilupu as MTA Space hosts electro-rock group Starr69, pop-punks favorites All Unknown, pop-rockers The Lightning Club, and more for some good-spirited fun. FREE
Jasmine Monk at Jianghu Bar
Jasmine Monk, whose melancholy indie-folk, has won win acclaim and numerous awards over the years joins fellow violinist and singer Pei Pei and more tonight at Jianghu Bar. RMB 100
Lee Ritenour at Blue Note
Since his teens, guitarist Lee Ritenour has worked as a session guitarist for groups as renowned as the Mamas and the Papas, earning him 20 Grammy nominations (including one win) and helping record more than 40 albums, displaying his seriously adept technical chops. RMB 400
Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies at Modernista
The ten-members-deep jazz-pop troupe Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Baochao Hutong for some good times. FREE
Wang Caiyuan at Tango
Urban folk singer-songwriter Wang Caiyuan whose tender, soft-spoken tunes are akin to a warm winter sun busting through the clouds, returns his charming, non-offensive tunes. RMB 120
Hae Ji Kim, Huang Mengmeng at La Plantation
Violinist Hae Ji Kim has performed on renowned concert stages such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kauffman Center, and more throughout the globe – basically, she’s a boss on the violin. Check out her skills alongside esteemed pianist Huang Mengmeng for a special recital that touches on Ravel, Franck, and more. RMB 200
Lei Feng, Zeng Xueya at Mogu Space
Twenty-year-old independent music singer, a student at the Communication University of China, brings his synthpop stylings (inspired by Tama Impala and Beach House) and offbeat musicianship to Mogu Space for a birthday bash. FREE
Sunday, Nov 17
Aero-Boat, BowAsWell, Sosoloid, Polly Don’t Drink at frequent collaborative
Frequent collaborative – Fruityspace’s new shared space with C5 Art Space in Sanlitun – sneaks in this sleeper gig on Sunday: an eclectic batch of some of the scene’s freshest acts with plenty of buzz swirling around them, including Aero Boat, who float between electronic and rock and features Zhan Pan from The Gar, Li Nan from Da Bang, and Wang Jinghan from Queen Sea Big Shark, plus hip-hop electronic psychedelic trio BowAsWell, hip-hop producer Sosoloid, and genre-spiteful Polly Don’t Drink. RMB 60
Zhuang Mao, Amber Worm, Boss First, Backside at School
Local promoters Rock Bros closes out the weekend on a ‘loud’ note as genre-bending fusion rockers Zhuang Mao, indie quartet Amber Worm, new school punk trio Boss First, and punk rock/power pop outfit Backside get down to business. RMB 80
Mary See the Future at Omni Space
Melodic and tender indie rock outfit Mary See the Future return to Beijing with their Britpop-inflicted noise pop and latest album Musickness. The band has garnered quite the fanbase since its formation in 2007, so expect waves of fans soaking in the well-crafted pop tunes. RMB 150
Samaga at Crescendo Studio
World music act Samaga has been infiltrating venues across Beijing with their happy marriage of musical traditions from India, the Middle East, and more, utilizing the sitar, the oud, and other Middle Eastern percussion instruments in new and captivating ways – this afternoon they give a special family-friendly performance at Crescendo Studio. RMB 80
ERIOE, Mu Qin, Liu Xuanting, LOFTHESTAR at Yue Space
Old school hip-hop magnet ERIOE, brings a jazzy, fluid, sensual style to the hip-hop game and his new nationwide tour ‘Iceberg Melt’ looks to capitalize on that attitude and flow. Catch the rising star alongside guest rappers and DJs. RMB 100
3Bangz, Future Star, 3unshine at Mao Livehouse
Guangzhou rap sensations 3Bangz and Future Star roll through town with their bubbly brand of hip-hop singles as well as female hip-hop trio 3unshine for a Wukesong party. RMB 200
Zhou Yong & 678, Hu Xiao Chun at DDC
Well-known Shanghaiese singer-songwriter Zhou Yong, who been active since the 1990s and has worked with everyone, including noise guitarist Li Jianhong, brings his new folk-tinted band to DDC with help from rising indie rock outfit Hu Xiaochun. RMB 60
Miyavi (JP) at Tango
Rock singer, “guitar warrior,” and creator Miyavi swings through Tango as part of his No Sleep Til Tokyo tour. He’s had worldwide success with his unique “slapplay” style and has toured more than 30 countries, bringing his samurai guitar spirit to the world. RMB 680
Shinri Tanaka Trio at Modernista
Japanese guitarist Shinri Tanaka, playing along Yusuke Ishihara on bass, and Takeshi Sakamoto on drums bring a bit of Japanese-flavored jazz to the hutongs. FREE
Mojo Hand at Jianghu Bar
Blues supergroup Mojo Hand, made up of some of the skilled rockers of the Beijing scene, including OOC frontman Cheng Chen, bassist Wang Zheng, and guitarist Wei Wei, bring their rich Chicago blues to Jianghu Bar. FREE
Steve Blaque, Lin Ce at Mogu Space
American artist and producer Steve Blaque, who played formerly in the genre-bending rock band The Radiance, joins female singer-songwriter Lin Ce for some unplugged delights. FREE
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Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of organizers
