[UPDATE] Noise Pollution: Jake Bugg, The Twenties, LMT Connection, Sangatsu, Pat Martino Trio

[UPDATE 3.30pm] Marty Baller's Saturday gig at West Club has been canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances." Read more here (in Chinese).

I’ve barely recovered from the Labor Day holiday and now it’s time to jump right back into the frying pan. But when the spices and seasoning are this fragrant, it’s hard not to get swept away into the glorious musical madness of it all. So without further ado, let’s get on with it. 

Friday, May 4

Backspace, Wasted Laika, Default, Derby Day at School
No horsing around – just no-frills indie rock from an array of bands that are igniting livehouses left and right – including the uber-talented Backspace, who will be releasing their debut album at the end of the month on Maybe Mars. Joining them are artsy post-punk rockers Wasted Laika, shoegaze ensemble Default, and indie Britpop tunes of Derby Day. RMB 54 

Swarrm vs. Dawei at Yue Space 
While the White Light – White Tower series has sadly dried up all its fiscal resources, and we won’t be seeing Sichuan get represented this month – we will be getting three evenings of the series unequivocally most successful event – the ‘Face Me On Stage’ series pitting one band, one genre versus another. And tonight’s pairing is as strange as they come and all the better for it – technical prog metal trio Swarrm going up against social conscious and charged MC star Dawei and his band. Dope indeed. RMB 50

Jake Bugg (UK) at Tango 
English indie-folk guitarist and singer-songwriter Jake Bugg reached the top of the UK Albums Chart with his self-titled debut album in 2012. He’s now on tour in support of his fourth album Hearts That Strain, a collection of acoustic tracks that find the artist at his most vulnerable. Serious chops on this kid. RMB 280

The Twenties, Oldy Baby at Temple
After what seemed like forever, The Twenties are back. The indie rock favorites have been busy putting the finishing touches on their debut album as well as finding a new guitarist, and now they’re ready to throw themselves into the mouth of madness again. Welcome them back at Temple alongside the always reliable and deeply entertaining punk rock outfit Oldy Baby. 

LMT Connection (Canada) at DDC
Canadian funk legends LMT Connection – led by the dynamic natural born killer Leroy Emmanuel, who has played with everyone from BB King to Stevie Wonder – have over the years made Beijing and more importantly DDC it’s home base for China. They’re back for their fourth straight year in a row, ready to once again ignite crowds and bring the funk. RMB 120

Sangatsu (Japan) at Omni Space
Instrumental ensemble Sangatsu, founded in Tokyo in 1997, produces music with a focus on the formation and movement of sound. The group collaborates with a number of people from other industries such as theater, dance, and film combining experimental structure with mediums such as video to create a unique experience for listeners. RMB 200 

Samaga at Jianghu Bar 
Considered by many as one of Beijing’s most underrated musical acts, world music act Samaga, made up of the talent Pierre Brahin, Yang Dong, Ma Zheng, and He Kairan, 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. RMB 70

Pure, Drunkard, The Pace of Time, Miao at Mao Livehouse 
It’s a grunge hoedown over in Wukesong as some of the scene newest torchbearers, including the ridiculously fun Pure, join some of the grunge old guard, most notably Drunkard. RMB 70 

Alien Radio, Hz, Pitchfork, Strangers of the Fantasy World, Free Fall at 13 Club
An eclectic offering of up and coming bands this evening in Wudaokou, with Strangers of the Fantasy World bring offbeat melodies and rhythms alongside Hebei rockers Free Fall, and new heavy and mellow prog rock troupe Alien Radio. RMB 80

 

Chen Min at Soi Baochao 
Born in Chengdu and now based in Beijing, Chen Min is an independent singer-songwriter and producer, both trained classically yet with a wide range in the field of rock, electronica, pop, and jazz. Catch her on Baochao. RMB 85 

Hentai Maid, Heavy Duty, Zi Huan, Nang at Laifu Livehouse 
Check out the new generation of heavy rockers with this long-haired, mosh pit-ready lineup featuring the aptly named Hentai Maid, Heavy Duty, and more. RMB 60

Dan Zengzhou, Wei Zi at Mogu Space
Dan Zengzhou, from Lhasa, draws inspiration from Tibetan folk and combines it with traditional Chinese melodies – she’ll join singer-songwriter Wei Zi in Xizhimen this evening. RMB 60

The Pat Martino Trio at Blue Note Beijing
Pat Martino has worked with everyone – Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Chick Corea, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, and Joe Pesci among countless others – see the legendary guitar player this weekend at Blue Note. RMB 400

Verena Chen (Germany), Aurele Marthan (France) at La Plantation 
A violin and piano recital from awarding winning violinist Verena Chen and pianist Aurèle Marthan who "belongs to the new generation of musicians who play with both virtuosity, simplicity, and poetry, without showing-off his obvious dexterity." 7.30pm start. RMB 200

Kamila’s Jazz Quartet at The Bricks 
Kamila is a Canadian singer and composer who is accomplished in a variety of styles and repertoire. She has been performing her music throughout the Americas, Asia, and France. She is also known for her work as a solo harpist, her many performances on theremin, and her skills backing up other performers on flute, guitar, and keyboard. Catch her and her band tonight. FREE

Fofox at 69 Café 
Hear covers of prominent Chinese rockers Zhang Chu – whose Shameful Being All Alone, released in 1994, continues to influence a generation of Chinese artists – from mega-fan and folk-rocker Fofox. RMB 55

Saturday, May 5

Casino Demon at Yugong Yishan
Shaggy, alcohol-soaked Beijing born ruffians Casino Demon, bring their laid-back rock and roll charm to Yugong Yishan as the band closes out their nationwide tour in support of their latest album which found all three members of the band participating in lyrics, songs, and singing, leading to a constantly entertaining, and yes raggedy, collection of songs. Expect School Bar’s regular clientele to be running amuck at the newly re-opened Yugong Yishan. RMB 120

Hang Nail vs. DFA1989
While the White Light – White Tower series has sadly dried up all its fiscal resources, and we won’t be seeing Sichuan get represented this month – we will be getting three evenings of the series unequivocally most successful event – the ‘Face Me On Stage’ series pitting one band, one genre versus another. And tonight’s pairing is as strange as they come and all the better for it. Down and dirty rock and rollers Hang Nail facing off against doom drone collective (and most likely sex cult) Death F**k Abba 1989 – so yeah, expect things to get weird real quick. RMB 50

Cosmic Project, Dan Taylor at DDC
A psychedelic journey that’s as alluring as a giant nebulous glow, the electronic world music project formed by two of Beijing’s hardest working musicians, Boxuan (of Nova Heart) on sitar and Yanlo (of Queen Sea Big Shark/Casino Demon) on synths make their way to DDC with their 'hypnotic use of sampling, looping, with intertwining sitar and krautrock-esque beats’. Support from the ever mischievous and multi-talented Dan Taylor. RMB 60

Sangatsu (Japan) at Three Shadows 
Instrumental ensemble Sangatsu, founded in Tokyo in 1997, produces music with a focus on the formation and movement of sound. The group collaborates with a number of people from other industries such as theater, dance, and film combining experimental structure with mediums such as video to create a unique experience for listeners. RMB 100 

Punisher, Never Before, Ancestor, Tractor, Evil Thorn, Ren Zhi at Laifu Livehouse
Some of the metal scene’s most ferocious thrashers converge on Shuangjing including Jinzhou technical thrash/speed metal outfit Punisher whose commanding work has garnered them attention worldwide. They’ll join sludge metal favorites Never Before and more for a headbanging good time. RMB 150

The Peking Floyd, Electric Lady at Temple
Beijing's Premier Pink Floyd tribute band bring their vast and ever-increasing collection of cuts from Pink Floyd's most creative years including Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Emulating the live performances of Pink Floyd during the 1970s when their improvisation and psychedelic jamming were at their best, they’ll join fellow '70s-evoking queens of rock and roll Electric Lady. FREE

Jordan Darling, Muti at DDC
Another afternoon delight at DDC as indie songstress Jordan Darling returns to the venue alongside Muti the classically-intuned experimental offshoot of alt-rock outfit Tydi Knots. 3pm start. RMB 60 

2-DO, Lampho, YNSM, DLYN, GAMEBOI, ICYBOI77, DAVID'S L!VE at Mao Livehouse 
New hip-hop promoters ODDZ bring a slew of rising star rappers to Mao Livehouse for a beat-dropping, bar delivering night of rap, R&B swooning, and summer vibez. RMB 150

Time Travel Paradox at Jianghu Bar 
Time Travel Paradox is drummer Victor Bastidas, Kai Liu, a lecturer at the Central Conservatory of Music, and jazz keyboardist, guitarist, and hip-hop artist Zhang Jing. Catch them at Jianghu's cozy hutong space. RMB 70

Marty Baller at West CANCELLED (due to unforeseen circumstances)
A$AP MOB representative Marty Baller – a multi-talented artist expressing his creativity in rapping, songwriting, modeling and acting who has collaborated with Lil Uzi Vert, Rich The Kid, and Migos and also toured alongside Juicy J, G eazy, and Tory Lanez, makes his way ‘From Harlem To China’ with a special appearance at West. RMB 120

 

Goodbye Sunset, Gravitational Force, The Death of Tektronix, The Last Move at 13 Club
Regular rockers – from melodic core boys Goodbye Sunset to Gravitational Force, return to their home base in Wudaokou while they’ll join others for a rowdy night of you guessed it – rock 'n’ roll. RMB 70

Hadi at Mogu Space
Hadi (An Zhihua) is a tabla drummer, guitarist, and stage music composer as well as a Maier percussion instructor. He studied tabla in Dehli and Calcutta, with several famous teachers and follows the traditional Indian raga system. Catch him strut his stuff and table skills this evening. RMB 66

Luka (HK), Jukka Ahonen, Yu Cen at Fruityspace
Catch these three wildly diverse sound explorers this evening including Hong Kong multi-instrumentalist Luka, guitar madman Jukka Ahonen, and multi-faceted spiritual musician Yu Cen. RMB 40

 

Chen Fei at Snail Club
Chen Fei, aka Haozi, brings a new take on Chinese folk music – making somber folk driven melodies that sink deep. RMB 80

Better Off Alive, Redundant Seconds at Soi Baochao
"Sexy grooves and middle fingers moves" funk rockers Better Off Alive face off against melodic punk mainstays Redundant Seconds for some mischievous fun at Soi Baochao. FREE

Chris Hopkins, Eric Allen, Andres Ordonez at Blue Stream
Singer-songwriter Chris Hopkins stays true to his roots with his homeland’s blues, rock 'n' roll, and Texas country blues singer Eric Allen, and folk singer and guitarist Andres Ordonex from Chihuahua, Mexico. FREE

 

Silent Power at BSP Livehouse
Check out the emo-pop yearnings of Silent Power, an up-and-coming Beijing outfit that’s slowly amassing fans left and right. RMB 80

The Pat Martino Trio at Blue Note Beijing
Pat Martino has worked with everyone – Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Chick Corea, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, and Joe Pesci among countless others – see the legendary guitar player this weekend at Blue Note. RMB 400

Andrew Little, Zhang Haonan, De Zheng Ming at 69 Café
Folk ballads, banjo playing, and acoustic wonders – just another night at the intimate 69 Café in Wudaokou. RMB 60

Beijing Axis at La Plantation 
The chamber music ensemble founded in 2014, made up of talented musicians from the US, Taiwan, and Spain bring their love and commitment to the classics revealing their "original style and the logical links between their repertoires." They’ll transform into a clarinet quintet for the evening. RMB 200 

Zhang Le Jazz Quintet at The Bricks 
Shanghai-born vocalist Zhang Le leads an all-star band for a morning of sultry vocal jazz standards at The Bricks. FREE
 

Sunday, May 6

Wang Juan & Band at DDC
Neo-folk legend Wang Juan, one of the folk scene’s most pristine and celebrated singer-songwriters since her emergence onto the scene at the beginning of the century, brings her new hotshot band to DDC. RMB 80

JCool and KT at School
Hip-hop MCs, JCool, and KT, who both hail from Guangzhou, and are some of the most listened to rappers on the webz. Catch the rising stars this evening at School. RMB 200

Joshua Radin (US), The Cary Brothers (US) at Omni Space
Joshua Radin is an American singer-songwriter. He has recorded seven studio albums, and his songs have been used in a number of films and TV series. His most successful album, Simple Times, was released in 2008. Ellen DeGeneres is a big fan – even had he sing at her wedding. He’ll be at Omni Space as part of his tour with support from Nashville raised Cary Brothers. RMB 180

Zhang Le Quintet at Blue Note
Join the Zhang Le Quintet for this Good Day Beijing Brunch at Blue Note Beijing - Shanghai-born vocalist Zhang Le leads an all-star band for a morning of sultry vocal jazz standards. RMB 268 

He Da Qian, 524 at 69 Café
69 Café in Wudaokou gets (relatively) a little rowdier this Sunday evening as they invite various university bands and singers to take the stage. RMB 60

Zheng Zhi, RoRo, Xiao Baicha at Mogu Space
Catch these three experienced female musicians go unplugged this evening including Zheng Zhi, RoRo, and more. RMB 60

Images: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers