Noise Pollution: Qi Zitan, Haha Master, Shao, Soil Godliness, B&W Bullet, Axis Neptune
Looking to spice up your weekend, throw caution to the wind, and veer into new territory? Roll the dice and pick at will one of these live music gigs and see what sticks. From seductive indie pop to crusty stoner rock – and even experimental mysteries in some dude’s living quarters – enjoy the thrill of the unknown and surprise yourself. Here’s your weekend music update.
Friday, Apr 9
Qi Zitan 祁紫檀 at Omni Space
Ethereal singer-songwriter Qi Zitan – from Hangzhou – has been making quite the name for herself since her university days, from starting the indie rock band Stolen Joy to appearing on The Voice of China, and finally making headway with her solo career. While the genre she resides in remains saturated as ever, there has always been something exquisite about her work. With a distinctive voice that seduces, haunts, and bewilders with its graceful and otherworldly intonation, and her ability to jump from neofolk to trip-hop with ease, she’s a force to be reckoned with among female singers in China. 8pm. RMB 150/180
Seagull 海鸥, Gentle Grapes 葡萄不愤怒, New Cake 新蛋糕, Heartland 内心深处, Phoebe 非比 at Yue Space
Up and coming promoters Punk Rock Union bask in the waters of pop-punk tonight at Yue Space with a bombastic, shameless, and sugar-rush of a lineup featuring an array of acts that evoke youth – from Gentle Grapes, who have risen through the ranks over the years, to seasoned veterans New Cake – plus newly formed Phoebe and the more tender Seagull. There’s a bit of something for everyone, as long as you don’t mind a little soda pop fizz in your drink. 8pm. RMB 120/150
Haha Master 笑匠, Grey Silence灰寂 at School
A hidden gem of China’s southwest, female-led rockers Haha Master kick off their nationwide tour tonight at School. A sultry mix of psych-pop, soaring dance-rock, and propulsive electronica, the band may not be offering much we haven’t heard before, but it’s clear they know how to work the stage, delivering a sound that’s above all, kinetic and alive. Color me intrigued. Support from Beijing’s own post-core outfit Grey Silence. 9pm. RMB 80/100
Open Mic feat. Eric Allen at nugget café
nugget café continues dipping their toes into the open mic multiverse giving seasoned Americana singer Eric Allen, whose music is in the spirit of authentic American blues, outlaw country, and cowboy folk, the role of host, spirit guide, and performer. Muster up some courage and venture forth. 8.30pm. Free
Harsh Mellows东棉花七号, Nine 九, Wutong at UFO Space
An alcohol-fueled hot mix of jazz, funk, and blues, UFO Space is looking to kick back this Friday as they invite hard blues outfit Harsh Mellows to the stage alongside blues funk n’ rollers Nine, with special guest and harmonica hitman Wutong. 9pm. RMB 80/100
Saturday, Apr 10
SHAO, layer, Wen Liang, Dokedo, Kaize, StrawberryPapa at Longfu Cultural Center 隆福文化中心
Vinyl and underground electronic speakeasy FLOSO heads back to the lush rooftop of Longfu for an all-day and night party featuring some of Beijing’s finest producers and soundscapers including the more experimental and ambient-laced layer and Wen Liang, beatmakers StrawberryPapa and Dokedo, veteran minimal house wizard Kaize, and dynamic techno virtuoso SHAO. For those looking to stimulate their brains, the party kicks off with a lecture on electronic music and visual design, before the musical stimuli sets in. 3pm. RMB 120 (RMB 200 2-day pass)
Weirdo Room 怪人房间, Soil Godliness 泥塑上帝, Acid Accident 酸性事件, Macondo, Pentatonic at Omni Space
Label and promoters VIBEZ host the Bu Yan Festival, which gives the rising stars of the instrumental rock scene their due, with an epic lineup featuring acts from across China. Included on the bill are Xi’an’s Weirdo Room 怪人房间, fresh off their latest EP, which finds the band stretching their arms musically, integrating not only math rock aesthetics but also vocals into the mix. Also, hailing from Liaoning is the rugged and lean Soil Godliness 泥塑上帝, who just wrapped up a nationwide tour. Representing Beijing will be the always reliable Acid Accident 酸性事件, known for instilling their sound with some bonafide grooves and leaning into their chops, as well as the more theatrical and aplomb-filled Macondo, and long-standing Pentatonic, making a rare appearance. Sprawling, grandiose, and potent in its musicality, expect a hell of a night for music. 7pm. RMB 100/150
King of Lazy, SHAS, Never Before, Electric Lady, Ramblin Roze at School
A righteous evening of all things sludge, stoner, and doom the SSD Fest is here to drag you through the mud, as a swirl of merciless grooves, guttural screams, and pummeling drums slowly engulf you. A hell of a way to go with the five horsemen of badassery going to premier stoner outfit Never Before, sultry old school rockers Electric Lady, tight-jeaned hard rockers Ramblin Roze, doomy sludge ruffians SHAS (aka Stinky Humans Abuse to Subsist), and King of Lazy, bringing their down and dirty sounds from the humid tropics of Kunming. 8pm. RMB 100/120
Luv.res + oran + 玄真, Bnoy at nugget café
Tonight at nugget café metaphysics meets neo-soul as a trio of new romantics showcase their underground lo-fi hip-hop-infused indie pop. Led by multi-disciplinary producer and artist Luv.res, and rounded out by guitarist Oran, drummer Xuan Zhen, and Nepalese singer-songwriter Bnoy, expect chill beats, looping grooves, and plenty of soul. 9pm. RMB 60/70
Residence A A公馆, Electric Cherry 电气樱桃, Cui Longyang 崔龙阳, Wei Zisi 未子巳 at Yue Space
Rock and roll opens its big gushy heart tonight with a lineup full of romantic aplomb and grandiose melodies. Leading the way are indie-rock veterans Residence A, whose music has been captivating ears for over a decade. Joining them will be up-and-coming indietronica duo Electric Cherry, who colors their stimulating sound with elements of trip-hop, techno, trance, and future bass, plus singer-songwriter Cui Longyang and guitar-heavy retro-fitted rockers Weizisi. 8pm. RMB 138/158
Yan Jun 颜峻 + Liu Lu 刘璐, Ake 阿科 + Zhu Wenbo 朱文博, Yizhou Sun 孙一舟 + Liang Hao 梁浩 at Studio H
Subjam’s MIJI Concert Series returns, bringing together Beijing artists and international performers for experimental jam sessions. Artists are welcome to engage in cold improvisation, radical performance, and absolute noise. Today’s edition features Liu Lu, Zhao Cong, Zhu Wenbo, and Ake. 4pm. (email subjam@gmail.com for reservation and address)
Da 大, Big Winner 大赢家, B&W Bullet 黑白弹丸 at UFO Space
A smorgasbord of indie rock, Britpop, punk, reggae, folk music, and more, UFO Space gives the stage to a scrappy batch of newcomers looking to make a name for themselves including Britpop-infused psych-rockers Da, pop-rockers Big Winner, and cracking indie rockers B&W Bullet. New sounds over in Sihui – always worth a gamble. 9pm. RMB 65/85
Sunday, Apr 11
DJ10000, Liu Yang 刘炀, ShiJie, INKY NO, Darcy, MōB Ü GZ, arkane at Longfu Cultural Center 隆福文化中心
Vinyl and underground electronic speakeasy FLOSO heads back to the lush rooftop of Longfu for an all-day and night party featuring some of Beijing’s finest producers and soundscapers including grime bass lover DJ10000, guitar sound explorer Liu Yan, musical omnivores ShiJie, loop enthusiast INKY NO, dance music connoisseur Darcy, sound designer MōB Ü GZ and dubstep veteran arkane. For those looking to stimulate their brains, the party kicks off with a lecture on album art and IDM music through the lens of visual ideology. 3pm. RMB 120 (RMB 200 2-day pass)
The Secret Club 秘密俱乐部, The Lightning Club 小闪电俱乐部, Star 69 星号69, Axis Neptune at School
A hefty Sunday night over at School Bar with a lineup that’s both classy and riotous, both retro and contemporary, with Britpop favorites Secret Club joining indie rock synth pop groovers Star 69. Plus, old-school psych-pop ruffians The Lightning Club, who quietly released a pretty rad EP last fall, and singer-songwriter Axis Neptune, who’ll be bringing soulful, jazz-inspired grooves to the stage. 9pm. RMB 80/100
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Images: Live China Music, courtesy of the organizers
