Noise Pollution: Slowdive, Demerit and Cancer Bats

Noise Pollution: Slowdive, Demerit, Rico Nasty, Cancer Bats, Intervals, Zhaoze

Will Griffith | Sep 14, 2018 2:39 pm | Add a comment | 2060 reads

Good lord – is this weekend packed! One of the side-effects of all the festivals going down around the country is the spillover of international bands looking to get in their licks before heading off. On top of that, we’ve got a crop of release parties from some of Beijing’s finest acts. And of course, a tank truck of metal to satisfy you metal fiends out there. All of that combined makes for one of the most solid weekends in Beijing for some time. Best enjoy it while you can!

Friday, Sep 14

Slowdive (UK), Default at Tango
It was only a year ago when shoegaze elders Slowdive, who had been away for over two decades, return with their self-titled triumphant comeback – a gorgeously produced album that manages to find the band producing a modern sound whilst never abandoning their routes. The Reading, UK rockers whose knack for atmospheric harmonies, rippling processed guitars, and dreamlike ambiance made them genre favorites are in town as part of Shanghai’s Concrete & Grass Festival so don’t snooze on missing these musical giants. RMB 350

Sainkho Namtchylak (RU) at Art Centre of National Library
Tuvian traditional music goes avant-garde as one of the Tuva region’s most beloved musicians - Sainkho Namtchylak – performs tonight. At 61 years old, the artist is a khoomei renegade, a female singer whose voice spans seven octaves who has since used her gift to take the traditional music of Tuva and bring it into a new era. Combining elements of avant-jazz, electronic music while referencing blues, desert rock and more into her modern compositions, there’s a trailblazing quality to her music that is simply hypnotic. A highly versatile artist, whose work ranges from extremely abstract experimental music to more straightforward jazz and soothing world music, she is beloved in both the world music circuit for her throat singing, as well as in free improvisation circles for her use of extended techniques and her frequent collaborations. RMB 180-980

Mild High Club (US), Sleeping Dogs at Omni Space
LA-based psychedelic jazz-pop band helmed by Alexander Brettin, has been making a name for themselves since they joined Stones Throw Label. The band's sound is pleasantly woozy and insanely catchy – one meticulously detailed summertime pop single after another that hooks you on the laid-back melodic charm that such artists like Mac Demarco (whom Brettin previously played with) have perfected over the last decade before leading you in a world that’s more complex, uneasy and fascinating. Catch them at Omni Space with support from fresh on the scene, jazz-rock trippers Sleeping Dogs. Read more here. RMB 200

The Twenties, Uncle Hu at School
There’s something so direct and refreshing about The Twenties’. The Beijing based band who have been kicking around for years and finally release their monstrously entertaining debut this summer. Pure, unadulterated guitar pop that may be modest on the surface but is full of pop aptitude and craft, the band are a bottle rocket of lo-fi indie rock that brings to mind everyone from Pavement, The Strokes, to Liz Phair and The Cribs – eccentric, laid-back, sincere and full of riotous youthful energy that’s genuine above all else. Celebrate their new release tonight at School Bar alongside Uncle Hu. RMB 80

Scare the Children at Temple
The multi-national four-piece horror metal act Scare The Children made up some of the music scene’s most recognizable characters (though you wouldn’t recognize them from their nightmarish personas they inhibit on stage) release their long-awaited debut tonight. Donning ghoulish costumes complete with all-too lifelike masks, and a dollhouse set decor straight from your childhood nightmares, the band has been dominating both the local scene and festival stages for years with their riotous cinematically pleasing live sets. Read more about what to expect with our recent interview with the band's drummer here. FREE

Demerit, Xiao Wang, Tumour Boy, Unregenerate Blood, D-Crash at Yue Space
Long-standing Chinese punk act Demerit hit up Yue Space on their massive Pointless Escape Tour which saw them trek through the US, Eastern Europe, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and France in support of their newest release. Known for mixing street punk and 1980s metal with pointed commentary on the social landscape, their latest finds room for just about everything – from Celtic punk inflicted ballads to reggae dazed jams. Legends they are. Support from an array of bands with heavy sounds – from thrash favorites Tumour Boy to the feisty new talk of the town Xiao Wang, and more. RMB 110

Rico Nasty (US), So Far South, Cam Girl, Nasty Ray, Cloudy Tunnel at The Playhouse
Concrete & Grass and So Far South present a very special Beijing sideshow for our annual Shanghai music festival. Rico Nasty, one of hip-hop’s most exciting new talents, will be playing a special set at Playhouse, with some stellar, scorching local support. An evening of cathartic raps and nonconformist spirit from a badass, ferocious wordsmith. RMB 60

Intervals (Canada), Von Citizen at The Post Mountain Space
Canadian prog-rock act Intervals is guitarist Aaron Marshall, carrying on after the departure of other band members. Never fear – he continues to be a prolific artist, releasing two albums with the band and headlining a European tour with Polyphia and Nick Johnson. Catch him at Yugong Yishan (yeah, right!) courtesy of Painkiller. Support from Von Citizen. RMB 200

Polaris Universe crew, A.T.L. crew, DJ Wesley, P.O.E, Di0MI at Laifu Livehouse
A red-hot gathering of two new trailblazing hip-hop labels – A.T.L and Polaris Universe – join forces for an evening of underground rap with special guest P.O.E from Anhui, rap team Di0MI and disc master DJ Wesley. The evening, which will host over twenty MCs, will be split into two parts – Round one kicks off at 7pm and round two at 9pm. RMB 60-120

Hang on the Box, Stay Gold, Miss Mix, The Glamour Manifesto, Noshiva at 13 Club
Wudaokou’s 13 Club continues to bring the goods with another weekend of solid bookings – with girl punk legends Hang on the Box join industrial electro duo The Glamour Manifesto, all-girl pop rock group Miss Mix and more. Plenty to keep the students enticed and entertained. RMB 90

Better Off Alive, Bang Bang Mary at Modernista
Aiming to shoot up dance floors with tunes that will have the audience sweaty and exhausted, the four-piece rock outfit, made up of one Brit and three South Africans draw influence from artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Fokofpolisiekar, and Pretty Viscous. They join Better Off Alive, who gleefully blend blues, rock, and various folk traditions for some fun at Modernista. FREE

MasomD, Oma Black, Young Poc, P-ink, Tiger, Qian Nanyou at Soi Baochao
It’s bewildering how many hip-hop acts have flooded the market here in Beijing over the past year. I could not give a hint at who any of these young acts are, but I gave them a quick listen and they’ve got swagger. Soi Baochao brings the future of hip-hop tonight. RMB 80

Joker’s Belief, special guest at DDC
Funk rock outfit Joker’s Belief, whose infectious blend of upbeat funk tunes and rollicking rock and roll get down and dirty over at DDC with the help of some new friends. RMB 60

Xian, Steve Blaque at Pink Moon
Instrumental composer and performer String aka Xian, who combines 'world music, Chinese traditional melodies and spiritual/religious themes, joins singer-songwriter and producer Steve Blaque this evening. RMB 66

Lampel, Kenny Leonore, Hietrev at Caravan
Singer-songwriter night at Caravan showcases two emerging talents who have been working with producer Kenny Leonore – Lampel and Hietrev whose one of a kind voices are hoping to attract worldwide attention. RMB 60

The Flip Side at Jianghu Bar
The Flip Side is Beijing’s only live disco band. Bring your boogie shoes and come prepared to freak out, shake your booty, get jiggy with it and celebrate good times and a weekend kick off! RMB 70

Nicola Lancerotti Trio at The Bricks
Double bass master Nicola Lancerotti brings his crew of skilled jazz musicians this evening at Sanlitun’s The Bricks – featuring Victor Bastidas on drums and Simone Schirru on guitar. FREE

Saturday, Sep 15

Zhaoze at Omni Space
Ever since I first heard that pluck of the guqin on their 2011 opus 1911 I’ve been a Zhaoze diehard fan – the Guangzhou post-rock band, whose intoxicating use of the guqin with post and prog rock elements has won the band accolades from just about everywhere and they’re back in town as part of their twenty-year anniversary tour. Class acts through and through and always a killer live set from one of the country’s best post-rock groups. RMB 180

Eagerkill, Bad Clutch, Choleraic, Tractor and Hell City, D-Crash, Alpaca, Zankou, Struggle Session at Yue Space
Thrash metal fans unite! It’s time to indulge in the trashing sounds of latest Trash Till Death Festival, now it’s its eighth year! Nuclear invasion, social inequalities, and some of the most extreme thrash metal bands this side of China including Eagerkill, Bad Clutch and Choleraic; metal punk groups Tractor and Hell City; and hardcore acts D-Crash, Alpaca, Zankou and Struggle Session. Plus an after party food feast with 18 Ladder, 7 Noodle Macho and more. Yeah it’s gonna get loud and proud. 4 pm start. RMB 180

The Passenger, Rhonda, HouLai De DaoYu at School
Formed in 2013 and named after an Iggy Pop reference, tonight Chengdu's The Passenger visit School Bar for the final show of their current China tour. Known for the post-punk and noise rock vibe, don't miss their energetic live performance and this rare Beijing appearance. Opening the evening are post-rock progressive math rock dudes Rhonda and the post-rock creations of HouLai de Daoyu. RMB 80

I Wear* Experiment (Estonia), Vera Jonas Experiment (Hungary), Pacalolo, Noise Arcade at Laifu Livehouse
Estonia’s I Wear* Experiment and Hungary’s Vera Jonas Experiment appears at Laifu Livehouse. I Wear* Experiment blends rock and fashion, while the alternative/indie group Vera Jonas Experiment describes themselves as “experimental pop music for dog lovers.” The five-piece band is touring in support of their latest album, Tiger. Support from quirky electro rockers Pacalolo and drone ambient electronic producer Noise Arcade. RMB 150

Awake Mountains, Multi-Ego, Pogonip, Lost in Space, Scarlet Horizon, N.S.I.S, Mi Tao, YeTaiSanChuXi at Laifu Livehouse
If thrash metal ain’t your cup of tea, then maybe some core will quench your thirst. Drink up on Chinese metalcore, deathcore, Nintendocore, hardcore and scream (sure I’m forgetting something) with this crop of bands – including long-standing Multi-Ego, Awake Mountains, Lost In Space, No Soul in Sight, and many more. RMB 120

General Huge, Fila Kila, Rawhx Van Marley, Lucky Roots, DlO, SOLGI at Soi Baochao
Get your reggae on with this good vibing lineup featuring the scene’s highest contenders including DB Bros Records co-founder and dancehall singer General Huge, hip-hop artist Rawhx Van Marley, duo Lucky Roots and much much more. RMB 80

Dark Haze, Xu Ji, Ephemerality, Empty Eyes, Duskystar at 13 Club
Dark melodic metal outfit Dark Haze, one of the metal scene’s most beloved and respected outfits, celebrates ten years of bringing the goods with a special showcase at Wudaokou’s 13 Club alongside friends Xu Ji, Ephemerality, Empty Eyes, and Duskystar. RMB 100

The Beijing Beatles at Temple
The Beijing Beatles, Beijing’s foremost Beatles cover band, invite you to a free show at Temple Bar this Saturday night. Catch John, Paul, George and Gringo as they take the stage at 11 pm sharp, playing your favorite hits by the biggest band in the world. FREE

Arturo Sandoval feat. Jane Monheit at Blue Note
Arturo Sandoval has played with everyone from John Williams, to Tony Bennet and Patti Labelle. The trumpeter is joined at Blue Note by his band and special guest, the vocalist Jane Monheit, another outstanding jazz musician who has been compared with Ella Fitzgerald. RMB 260-500

The Hot Club of Beijing at DDC
Multi-national gypsy jazz ensemble brings their 1930s swinging jazz, hot Latin rhythms, and gypsy waltzes to DDC so best bring your dancing shoes. RMB 60

Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies at Modernista
The ever-expanding (10 members deep at the moment) jazz-pop trope Stevie Mac & The Mac Daddies bring their vintage approach to contemporary music to Modernista for some good times. FREE

Mademoiselle Et Son Orchestre at Caravan
Mademoiselle et son Orchestre return to Caravan. The premier gypsy jazz outfit has been igniting crowds left and right for endless years – a true joy to behold. FREE

Canzilians, Gun Er at Pink Moon
Transnational duo Canzilians – who play a blend of Canadian tones and Brazilian rhythms combined with pop covers, hit up Pink Moon alongside folk singer-songwriter Gun Er. RMB 66

Jess and Moreno Jazz Quartet at The Bricks
When the beloved OG Jazz pianist in town Moreno Donadel meets the beloved vocalist Jess Meider, you know you’re in for a classy night. FREE

Sunday, Sep 16

Yat-Kha (RU) at Mao Livehouse
As part of the Stallion Era World Music Festival – Tuvan rock and rollers Yat-Kha will perform. Taking cues from psychedelic rock from the 1960s, industrial electronica, and heavy metal, there’s a sense of danger to the band’s music – where outbursts of punk gusto are supplemented by incredibly low growls that bleed into ethno-surf jams before being elevated to stadium rock status by face-melting guitar work and the ingenious integration of traditional instruments like the cello-esque igil and doshpular. Always searching for the through line between rock and traditional music, they’re not one to miss. RMB 180

Cancer Bats (Canada), Spill Your Guts, Struggle Session, Unregenerate Blood, Laisee at School
Formed in 2004 in Canada, Cancer Bats are a combination of hardcore, southern metal, and punk rock smoldered into a lethal rock n' roll explosion. The band has toured and played festivals around the world and now finally come to China. They’ve shared the stage with everyone - from Rise Against, Bring Me The Horizon, Alexisonfire, to Anti-Flag and Comeback Kid. Supporting them are Shanghai hardcore heroes Your Guts, local fastcore favorites Struggle Session, rising hardcore ruffians LaiSee, and Beijing hardcore veterans Unregenerate Blood. Read more about what to expect here. RMB 150

Billy Branch & Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi (US), Shun Kikuta & Blues Company, Mojohand, Double Beat, Hang Tian, Zhang Ling & Old Gun Band, Kojima, Osawa Wide at Laifu Livehouse
This year, Beijing's own Bluesir label gathers some of the most amazing blues legends to Beijing Blues Festival. Held down at Shuangjing’s Laifu Livehouse the international line-up gathers world-renowned stars, such as Chicago blues legends Billy Branch & Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi, as well as Shun Kikuta, Mojohand, Double Beat and more. 2pm start. RMB 280-360

The CLF at Yue Space
Bubblegum pop done right, Modern Sky’s The CLF, whose sultry jazz-flavored sound has made them a band with some serious clout, look to help emotions soar and heartstrings ache this Sunday down at Yue Space. RMB 120

Acid Accident at Mogu Space
Instrumental post-rock trio Acid Accident, whose music is driven by a majestic mix of raw emotion, resulting in tense live performances that contrast gentle reflection with explosive aggression, and flow from strict syncopation to experimental chaos, bring the goods over to Xizhimen’s Mogu Space. RMB 60

Wang Huafeng & Scoundrel Planet at DDC
Indie folk singer Wang Huafeng, known for his hoarse and unique voice that hits listeners in the gut, and his band The Scoundrel Planet bring folksy tunes to DDC this evening. RMB 100