Noise Pollution: Rough Trade, Mouse on the Keys, Backspace, Empyrium, The Spice Cabinet

And like that your weekend update wrangler returns to Beijing – a little wiser, a little more sunburnt, and more than a little deprived of that sweet sweet Beijing sound. Honking horns, hacking loogies, bicycle wheels turning, and most of all – the live music spilling out of the walls across town. So catch me pilgrimaging through the hutongs and venues soaking up as many tunes as humanly possible – including Live Beijing Music’s latest team-up over at DDC tonight. 
 

Friday, Aug 31

Rough Trade, Baihu, Deadly Cradle Death, Sleeping Dogs at DDC 
Live Beijing Music and Subtropical Asia present the bold, psychedelic, experimental, improvisational and sprawling soundscapes from the mysterious and captivating krautrock trio from Changchun – Rough Trade. They’ll be joined by two of Beijing’s newest soundshifters – the ethereal psychedelic supergroup Baihu and instrumental mischief makers Sleeping Dogs – both made up of the underground scene’s most prolific characters. Plus, a rare appearance from the dangerously alluring anti-club electronic duo Deadly Cradle Death. You bet your ass it’s gonna get trippy (certainly if this interview's anything to go by). RMB 90

Mouse on the Keys (JP) at Yugong Yishan Yue Space
Formed in 2006, Tokyo jazz-rock and post-rock act Mouse on the Keys takes the stage tonight to present their new critically acclaimed album tres. A blend of minimal phrased piano and dynamic drumming, while traversing dark and avant-garde electronica, minimalist neo-classical, whilst also continuing to develop on their math-rock tendencies with rapid-fire time signature changes, angular rhythms and melodic yet frenetic piano work, Mouse on the Keys fits into a genre of their own. Venue changed to Yue Space. RMB 180 

Backspace, Last Goodbye, The Claptraps at School 
After taking the indie scene by storm a couple years back, the noise rock boys Backspace have finally made it. Fresh off the release of their hypnotic debut – Human Nature Architecture – the four-piece band have sharpened their edges, extended their reach, and not so much evolved but mutated into new beings as they continue to push the limits of their jangly mathy post-punk vibe with a slice of William Burroughs, a heavy hit of krautrock, a thick haze of surf rock, and dissociative technological nightmares thrown in for good measure. They close out their nationwide tour tonight with help from Last Goodbye and The Claptraps. To get you in the mood, read our interview with Backspace frontman Zheng Dong ahead of tonight's gig here. RMB 90

Empyrium (Germany) at Mao Livehouse
German symphonic neofolk metal outfit – arguably the biggest act on Prophecy Productions are back at it after reuniting last year. With a new sense of purpose and new tunes to boot, they’re hungrier than ever and all looking to spread their wings in Wukesong tonight. RMB 480

Ma Wei, He Wei, Alip, Cao Cao at Yue Space
Explore the simple side of music as August comes to an end with these four magnetic singer-songwriters. Join Ningxia pianist Ma Wei, indie folk rocker Alip, Cantonese singer-songwriter He Wei and sound artist Cao Cao at Yue Space for an exploration of modern Chinese folk. RMB 150 

The Spice Cabinet at Modernista
The Spice Cabinet is the jazz machine that slices, dices and reworks every pop number into the frenzy of a pop modern dance beat of wonder. It's pop according to jazz, sprinkled with funk, hip-hop, bebop, rock and a heavy dose of avant-garde. They go full-on Jackson Five (or more like full-on Samuel L.?) tonight.  FREE

Wang Wu, Gao Jinli at Pink Moon
Northeastern Chinese singer-songwriter Wang Wu, whose loose hair and vibrant voice made him one of the finalists on one of the country’s top-rated American Idol clones, performs alongside fellow singer-songwriter Gao Jinli. RMB 80

Rudra’s Sage at Mogu Space
Philippines-born sitar player Rudra’s Sage, a scene regular since the heydays of River Bar in Sanlitun, and who studied down the street from Ravi Shankar’s guru plays a diverse set including Indian traditional folk songs and rearrangements of Beatles tunes. RMB 66

Left Behind Children, Black Bone, Mu'ai Youlan, Frozen Cross at 13 Club 
Get it heavy over in Wudaokou as these hard rockers get their ‘metal face’ on. RMB 80

Ensemble Etoile at The Temple Hotel 
The Ensemble Etoile is oboist Xue Shunjie, erhu artist Dai Shenghua and classical guitarist Fan Wei. Join them at Temple (Hotel) for an evening of classical music with a twist, including works by J.S. Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Edvard Greig and a special performance of Faure’s Sicilienne. RMB 200

Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestre at The Bricks 
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Modernista for a night of gypsy jazz that has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE
 

Saturday, Sep 1

Tiantang at School
Formed in 1992, Heaven has been ever-present in the Chinese rock scene with an array of hit singles and tours across China – so much they been a staple of the festival circuit for well over a decade. The band found their way to School Bar one night after a packed house at Tango and vowed to perform an intimate show there in the future. Well, that day has come - Tiantang will play the smallest stage they have in over 20 years. Expect a more-than-packed house. RMB 120

Shtuby (Israel) at DDC
A wild global sound that mixes funk, jazz, and enticing electronic grooves Shtuby is a one man (in a full body suit to boot) music machine who utilizes every instrument and trick in the book to create a one of a kind show bound to keep your ears bumping. He’s been performing alongside an array of Chinese artists over the past year so expect some surprises. Support from soundtrack post-rockers INXU, fresh off their larger than life EP. RMB 80

Bayan Dalai, Loop Fighter, Ni Wan Gong at Fruityspace
The Inner Mongolian singer-songwriter Bayan Dalai, former frontman for Horse Radio and december3am, joins the Spontaneous Ensemble, which as you can guess is a free improv group consisting of various members of the music scene. RMB 40 

Jay Rodriguez Organ Trio (US) at Blue Note 
Born in Colombia, Jay Rodriguez began his musical studies at the age of seven on clarinet and was playing lead alto with the late great Tito Puente by the age of 15. Graduating from the finest music schools in New York, he has emerged over the years as one of the best in his class – with two Grammy nominations and collaborations with a diverse list of talent, including Elvis Costello, Gil Evans, Craig Harris, Eddie Palmieri, and more. RMB 120-360

Mercy, 2z, Hood, G.I.A, FrankiD, Simba at Yue Space
ListenUp is a fusion hip-hop variety show. Now in its third season, it’s launched tons of new talent onto the Chinese hip-hop scene. Join them on their cross-China tour at Yue Space tonight with artists like Mercy, Hood, Gia, FrankD, and more taking the stage and trading bars with one another. RMB 200

Redbrick Duo (USA) at La Plantation 
New York City-based Redbrick Duo, formed by American flutist Jessica Lipstone and Irish classical guitarist Damien Kelly, brings a fresh approach to the flute/guitar combo as they perform a wide range of repertoire from classical pieces to traditional tunes, as well as their own arrangements of popular music. RMB 200

Zhang Qianqian at Pink Moon
Veteran sing-songwriter Zhang Qianqian, a staple of the folk scene since her debut in 1996, gives a special showcase courtesy at Pink Moon. RMB 88

Xi Er and Fasolla at soi Baochao
Soul singer Xi Er who impressed the hell out of a lot of people on The Voice of China, brings his newly formed band Fasolla Baochao Hutong for an evening of soul, funk, and pop hits. FREE

Left Behind Children, Ni Lin at Laifu Livehouse
Shuangjing brings the pain with these brutal-sounding bands with a penchant of heavy riffs and even heavier themes. RMB 80

Liu Peiyi at The Bricks
Get your jazz on at The Bricks in Sanlitun as saxophonist Liu Peiyi invites his friends on stage for some upbeat jazz renditions. FREE

More Feel at Mogu Space
Indie pop duo More Feel bring their light as a feather and charming keyboard-led pop tunes to Xizhimen tonight alongside Xian. RMB 60
 

Sunday, Sep 2

The Tea Rockers Quintet at Valley Residency  
Experimental avant-garde scene royalty roll through 77 Theatre in the form of The Tea Rockers Quintet – one of the most intriguing collectives out there – a tea ceremony performed by Xi Jian and accompanied by the all-stars of Chinese contemporary music including contemporary folk singer Xiao He working the zhongruan, China's leading noise artist Yan Jun, academic guqin player Wu Na and maddeningly talented instrumentalist Li Daiguo on cello and pipa. Together they create a mesmerizing blend of traditional instruments, vocals, noise, and harmonious movement. Catch them in Tongzhou District at the music residency space of urban folk band Valley Children. 7pm start. RMB 208 

Qi Zitan at Yue Space
Ethereal singer-songwriter Qi Zitan, from Hangzhou, has been making quite the name for herself since university; from starting the indie rock band Stolen Joy, to appearing on The Voice of China. With music that seduces, haunts, and bewilders with its graceful and exquisiteness that’s almost otherworldly. She’s a force to be reckoned with among female singers in China. RMB 100

Fogbrow (TW) at School 
Hailing from Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Fogbow was formed in 2013 and have since created quite a name for themselves in the island's underground scene. With echoes of Joy Division, the band has created their own brand of meshed together post-punk, shoegaze, and trip-hop. RMB 120 

Pure at Laifu Livehouse
One of this year’s highlights head down to Shuangjing – Pure – a volatile, boisterous, tight as a button, madcap blend of grunge, reggae, and old-school rock and roll that’s above all, charismatic and dangerously fun. Music that hits that sweet spot, compelling you to try your darnedest to sing along. RMB 60

Li Mo at DDC
Contemporary folk singer Li Mo brings the Song Dynasty to the new era on her latest album – taking the classical five-tone compositions and updating them in completely different styles such as electronic, post-rock, nomadic wind, world music, classical string quintet, and more. RMB 80

Want to cut a rug instead? Check out this weekend's nightlife offerings here.

Photos: Live Beijing Music, courtesy of the organizers