Noise Pollution: Agoraphobia, Pizza Face, Gaku, Arctic Ox, Yoo Doo Right, Hang Nail, Asian Dope Boys

Things in the capital are heating up this weekend as music-goers once again find themselves up to their necks in stellar gigs. Live techno tunes to keep you moving, rock and roll football hooliganism of the finest order, and true blood punk rock for the young and hungry – Beijing is your musical oyster – so let’s dig in and get our hands dirty.

Friday, May 21

Agoraphobia 广场恐惧症, 2D-Foil 二向箔, SiXi肆囍, Time Capsule 时光胶囊 at Mao Livehouse

Head over to Wukesong as four of the indie rock scene’s finest – both rising acts and seasoned players – join forces. On the docket is four-piece female-fronted indie-rock act SiXi out of Nanjing, who has been making waves for years with their tipsy blend of Britpop, electro-pop, psychedelia, and garage rock. Joining them are angsty emo noise-rockers Agoraphobia, indie-pop darlings Time Capsule. Rounding out the bill is dream-pop outfit 2D-Foil, who seem to be expanding upon their sound, crafting an immersive, guitar-led, and vocally intoxicating world that keeps one’s ears bewitched and points to a bright future for the up and coming band. 8pm. RMB 120/150

ShowHand 梭哈, Pizza Face at Yue Space

Although recently established in 2017, electro-rock pushing punks ShowHand has been making strides in the music scene, officially signing to Modern Sky last month just as they released their third LP, Don’t Wait Until Sunset. Nostalgic, warm-hearted, and old school with a touch of spry ska anarchy, they capture a sound that’s both retro and contemporary. They celebrate with the help of the always feisty and riotous Pizza Face. 8.30pm. RMB 100/120

Hindbrain反骨, SHAS, The Ravages at UFO Space

The ruckus heads over to Sihui as some of the rock scene’s most mischievous acts seek refuge in UFO Space, including newly formed garage trash psych outfit The Ravages (featuring members from Hazemaze, Oldy Baby, Poetry x Music, and Boss Cuts) who are set to release their debut next month, doomy sludge terrorizers SHAS (aka Stinky Humans Abuse to Subsist), and the equally scrappy grunge rock favorites Hind Brain. Praise. 9pm. RMB 75/95

The Diagon Alley对角巷, 5th Dimension, Pizza Face, The Beauty at School

Long-standing promoters Super School Fighter, who has helped countless young bands find their voice across China, celebrate their eighth anniversary with a grab bag night of musical stylings down on Wudaoying. The eclectic lineup features The Beauty, who toe the line between old school blues-ridden rock and jangly indie-pop without missing a beat, indie pop with an electric streak (and a Harry Potter fetish) The Diagon Alley, funk-pop duo 5th Dimension, and Pizza Face (doing double duty tonight!). 8.30pm. RMB 120

Demone, Gaku at nugget café

Punk turned electro rocker turned electronic producer, Gaku is a man of many tastes but his goal remains the same: stimulating those ears and getting those feet moving. He’ll be conducting a live set that dabbles in deep house, progressive house, techno, and new wave alongside mainstay electronic producer – and the man behind ambient music label Sound Blanc – Demone. 9pm. RMB 60/70

Looooongish Cat, Jay 1.2, Arctic Ox at FLOSO

Electronic sounds and DJ spinners built of a different cloth, FLOSO continues its transformation into one of Beijing’s most reliable spots for bumping tunes as they host tape manipulator and live sampler Looongish Cat, Arctic Ox, a fellow exploratory electronic artist who uses analog synthesizers and field recordings to craft his sound, and vinyl junkie Jay 1.2. 9pm. RMB 60

Saturday, May 22

C.S.B.Q, Gum Bleed at Yue Space

The flames of punk shine bright with Changsha’s C.S.B.Q whose tight, energetic, compassionate, and stirring punk rock feels more timely than ever. Taking a cue from such bands as SMZB, Brain Failure, and various other punk bands on the frontlines of social injustice, it’s pure unadulterated punk rock (with welcomed shades of ska) that acts as both a rallying call and a hell of a good time. With an acute ability to connect and put themselves on the same stage as their listeners – their songs have a timeless working-class quality – their's is one that throws its arm around you and instills hope as you’re invited to sing along. They’re fresh off their recently released LP and finishing up a massive nationwide tour spreading the good word. Support from Beijing’s own punk trailblazers Gum Bleed, fresh off their own nationwide tour. 9pm. RMB 80/100

Yoo Doo Right, The Peppercorns 飞椒, No Trace 不留行 at UFO

MusicDish China hosts a release party for Canadian experimental psychedelic post-rock trio Yoo Doo Right. For obvious reasons, the band will not be present, however, the organizers will be screening a live performance of the band accompanied by a live dance performance by Amy Grubb. On the music front, China’s "only art-rock band" The Peppercorns will join industrial avant-garde poets No Trace, known for their dusky musical temperament that exudes mystery, patience, and allure – also fresh off a new LP. 9pm. RMB 90/120

Hang Nail 倒刺, Shochu Legion 烧酒军团, Labor Glory 劳动光荣, The Brewers, Son of Bitch 犬母之子 at School

Hooliganism is what School excels at already, so when they say they’re gonna ratchet it up even more in celebration of "rock n’ roll, beer, and football" you best believe it’s gonna be a night to (not) remember. The explosive lineup features ultras punk torchbearers Labor Glory, who’ll be joined by street punk favorites Hang Nail, hardcore punk rebels Shochu Legion, newly formed Oi! punks The Brewers, and more. Bring your football jersey and get ready to throw your fists in the air. 8.30PM. RMB 120

GUAN, Gooooose, Tzusing, Slowcook, Zhiqi, Baby Chinayus, DJ 灼灼 at Zhaodai

After five years of mind-melting parties that combine out-of-this-world performances, visuals, and sounds, Asian Dope Boys are calling it quits – at least for the time being. Their last blowout will transpire over at Zhaodai with a lineup that features some serious talent including Hangzhou producer and industrial dancefloor shaker GUAN, whose music pulsates with dark complexity and meticulous virtuosity, Shanghai’s Gooooose, known for his impeccable sound design and shapeshifting olio of feverish breakcore, footwork, and atmospheric jungle ambiance, plus Tzusing, Slowcook, and many more. 10pm.

Sunday, May 23

Cosmos 萬象, In Chaos 因可, Shouting Nerd 大叫控 at Yue Space

Get lost in a swirl of emotional ups and downs, abrasive and clam, rhythmic and chaotic with this turbulent lineup of bands that swing for the moon with their open-hearted core music. Beijing’s Cosmos (borne out of Collision Dreamer and Lost in Space) is the latest post-hardcore band to cause a stir. They’ll be joining Hangzhou’s In Chaos, who tap into something a little more menacing – read: melodic metalcore. It’s heavy with a touch of Evanescence thrown in for good measure. Rounding out the night are grungey indie rockers Shouting Nerd. 8.30pm. RMB 100/150

Bloody Woods 血森林, XueChen 雪沉 at Mao Livehouse

Purveyors of metal’s more acoustic and folk-oriented side, tonight finds neo folk staples Bloody Woods – who over a decade and change has become one of the most accomplished orchestra neo-folk troupes with a lush sound that touches on everything from German forest ballads to ancient Chinese poetry sung in medieval poise – joins Chinese folk metal band XueChen, who inject traditional instruments into their heavy riffs and guttural screams. 8pm. RMB 120/150

Monster Project怪兽计划, Time Street 时光街, Shenxiu 参宿, Bu Liao Swordsmen不了侠客 at School

A genre-smashing night of rock and roll that wears its heart on its sleeve as School hosts nimble math-rock outfit Shenxiu, fresh-faced electronically infused dance rockers Monster Project, 8-bit indie-pop ruffians Time Street, and rustic folk-rock outfit Bu Liao Swordsmen. 8.30PM. RMB 80/100

READ: The Sino Hearts Talk Analog Purity on Sophomore Release Mandarin A Go Go

Images: Nicolas Padovani (via Yoo Doo Right's Facebook), courtesy of the organizers