Noise Pollution: Live Music Returns In Force After the CNY Slump (But No Craig David)

If last week was a dry run then this weekend is truly the music scene’s post-Chinese New Year coming out party as all the venues step in line and get back into the swing of things. No more excuses, no more glutinous mishaps, no more makeshift nights out – ye are not abandoned. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Friday, Feb 22

Mr. Graceless, Three Kings, Limi, Jeaqi, Ming Xu at School
"Searchlights of Voice" is a new label founded by members of existing labels D.O.G. and Drunkard. To kick off their founding, they have arranged a big two-day opening shindig at School – night one goes indie as the ever-popular Mr. Graceless, rock 'n' roll stars from Taiyuan, Three Kings, indie-pop poets out of Zhengzhou, Limi, ambient pop artist Jeaqi, and Ming Xu make some noise. RMB 100

Ruining, EASYEAST, Huang Jin, 777 at Yue Space
Prajnasonic – the Beijing-based electronic label kickstarted by four of the scene’s more intriguing electronic artists with an affinity for cold, intricate beats showcase their sublabel Atmos – which gives its members and other musicians a chance to shake loose and burrow into new territory and genres. For the occasion, they’ve invited Dalian ambient artist Ruining and Jinan producer EASYEAST, two acts who release some truly stellar work last year. Rounding out the bill is Re-TROS drummer and producer Huang Jin and 777. Catch our recent interview with Ruining here. RMB 80

Laoban and The Alcoholic, Tenzin Dolkar, Star 69 at Omni Space
Omni Space’s ‘Xian’ series hits its 15th installment, shining a spotlight on some of the scene’s hardest working bands, including the white-collar upbeat folk rockers Laoban and The Alcoholic who’ll bring their bubbly brand of urban folk to Omni Space alongside Lhasa, Tibet new age electro funk singer-songwriter Tenzin Dolkar whose alternative pop music has garnered attention. Plus, indie rock groovers (with a dab of trip-hop through in for good measure) Star 69. FREE

Milu, Oldy Baby, Hind Brain at Temple 
Theatrical electro punk straight out of France (born at least) keytar freak Milu is unlike anything you’ve seen before – a digital hardcore enigma of screeching guitars and screams that’s hilarious and riotous all at once. He joins 2018 punk MVPs Hind Brain, always a blast, and ragtag happy-go-lucky trio Oldy Baby. Temple at its best here – rambunctious and unhinged. FREE 

Sunshine in Ohio (FR), Modern Women at Caravan
Caravan – everyone’s favorite Moroccan joint – gets back into the groove with a special evening featuring swing, jazz, and bluegrass made in Grenoble, France. The collective created by Johnny Sunshine and Lorain Ohio and made up of various other skilled musicians explore the world of American music, from Cajun to Bluegrass, old swing and Voodoo blues with a great and energetic show that mixes storytelling and foot tapping tunes. Support from New Orleans blues and soul singer Modern Women. RMB 60

Bob Dupont and The Outstanding Vegan Bankers at Modernista 
Bob Dupont and The Outstanding Vegan Bankers – Djang San’s alter ego and the natural sequel to the much beloved The Amazing Insurance Salesmen hits the stage for a night of experimental high-quality music. Having just released their album Dolphin Sandwich, this energetic group of musicians will perform their electrifying music for all of us for the first time. FREE

Nathan East and His Band of Brothers at Blue Note 
Sixty-two-year-old Nathan East has spent 50 years of his life perfecting his craft and worked with everyone from Eric Clapton to Daft Punk. See the American jazz, R&B, and rock bass legend at Blue Note as part of the Mercedes Benz Jazz Masters Series with his Band of Brothers, a six-man backing band. RMB 220-420

Joker’s Belief, The Great Buffalo Blues at DDC 
The electric four-piece band that explores funk, blues, soul, and reggae are back at DDC alongside funk rockers Joker’s Belief who certainly know a thing or two about keeping the crowd moving. RMB 60

Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra at The Bricks
Playful, creative, adventurous, the Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra uses the rich language of jazz to explore the rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and emotions of our world. FREE

Saturday, Feb 23

Acid Accident, Swarrm, Wonder Sea, Silent Speech, Wan Hua Tong at School 
"Searchlights of Voice" is a new label founded by members of existing labels D.O.G. and Drunkard. To kick off their founding, they have arranged a big two day opening shindig at School – night two goes hard and heavy as post-emo outfit Wonder Sea, alt-rock Silent Speech (fresh off their genre-spanning robust EP), post-rock groovers Acid Accident, post-metal instrumentalists Swarrm, and the post-rock hardcore kids Wan Hua Tong take the stage. RMB 100

Life Awaits, Laisee, S.A.W, Ephemerality, Evil Thorn at 13 Club
Wudaokou’s 13 Club kicks off the new school semester will a brutally good lineup featuring the metal and hardcore scene’s most brutal acts – including post-emocore outfit Life Awaits (who’ll be dropping their long-awaited sophomore album soon), as well as heavy metal veterans SAW, hardcore acrobatics Laisee, aggressive death metal act Evil Thorn, and more. Expect mosh-pits galore at this one. RMB 130

Su and The Paramecia, String at DDC
After a hiatus, Su returns to the stage with a vengeance and plenty on his mind – the deep and rustic-voiced singer is known for blending impromptu instrumental and world music – taking the best of Eastern and Western musical concepts, using guitars, vocals, flute, cello accompaniment, and Indian musical instruments to create a unique experience for all. Support from multi-instrumentalist String AKA Xian. RMB 150

Marquis Hill at Blue Note
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer, and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres from contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, to neo-soul. He brings his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word to Blue Note. Read our recent interview with the renegade jazz artist here. RMB 160-360

Orientlif, Beau, 1999, Sugar Free Cola, Yu Jia Lang 3 at fRUITYSPACE
It’s a ‘DAMNGOOD’ party over at the underground cesspool for all things cool as an array of hip-hop turntablists and rappers bring some fun and drop some bars at the basement hangout including Orientlif, Beau, and more. RMB 50

Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine at Temple
Audience favorites Tavey Lean and The Solid Gold Dream Machine bring their impressive repertoire of classic soul, R&B, three-piece horn section, rock and roll to Temple for an evening of knee-slapping good tunes. FREE

Zhang Cheng at Yue Space
The actor/musician whose fame has sky-rocketed due to his immersive work on television, bring his tender non-offensive Mandarin-pop hits to Yue Space along with his backing band. RMB 129

The Great Buffalo Blues, Scott MacArthur at Caravan 
The Great Buffalo Blues who explore funk, blues, soul, and reggae in their eclectic and electric vision break it down in duo form this evening alongside rocker and singer-songwriter Scott MacArthur. RMB 60

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

Sunday, Feb 24

Ritual Day, Die From Sorrow, Tumour Boy, Ancestor, Nower, Dream Spirit at Mao Livehouse
Wacken Open Air has a kind of mythic stature among metal festivals around the world, and each year Chinese bands battle it out to gain a spot at the prestigious German festival – and what a battle we’ve got this year, as long-standing veteran black metal band Ritual Day face off against thrash renegades Ancestor, seasoned Mongolian heavy metal troupe Dream Spirit, and many more this epic evening in Wukesong. RMB 180

[CANCELED] Craig David (UK) at Beijing Exhibition Theater 
Wait, rewind. The Grammy-nominated UK pop star Craig David has canceled his Beijing and Shanghai gigs on account of visa issues. With 15 million albums sold worldwide, and his recent album The Time Is Now rising through the ranks, the artist is sure to have a decent following in China. Unfortunately, they'll need to wait for another chance to see him live.

Art Battle International at Yue Space
The international live art competition comes to Beijing pitting twelve artists against one another as they compete in front of a live audience in three rounds of live painting. Along with the art-off they’ll be live music and poetry reading courtesy of Paths and Spittunes. Expect good fun and killer art. Read our full preview of the event here. 2pm start. RMB 100  

SID (JP) at Tango
Founded in 2003 by vocalist Mao and bassist Aki, SID (シド) are a juggernaut visual kei band that’s not afraid to mix up their brand of bombast pop with hard rock kicks and dynamic instrumentation. They were named Top Pop Artist Award from Billboard Japan Music Awards in 2010, and have toured all over the US and Asia. They swing through Beijing as part of the 15th year anniversary. RMB 580

Hz, Grey Silence, Mind Walker in Rye, Yewai Leigui Zhinan at School
School hands students some Sunday evening studies in the form of four rock 'n' roll acts – set to conduct class tonight are nu-metal ruffians HZ, punky troublemakers Grey Silence, pop punk ruffians Mind Walker in Rye, and reggae rock band Yewai Leigui Zhinan. RMB 60

Marquis Hill at Blue Note
From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer, and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres from contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, to neo-soul. He brings his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hop-infused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word to Blue Note. Read our recent interview with the renegade jazz artist here. RMB 160-360

Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra at DDC 
Named after the protagonist in Lu Xun's best-known novel, the Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra has stubbornly found its own niche in the Beijing jazz scene for more than a decade, bringing together an eclectic mix of musicians, styles, and original jazz compositions. Playful, creative, adventurous, the Ah-Q Jazz Arkestra uses the rich language of jazz to explore the rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and emotions of our world. RMB 80

Strelianny Trio feat. Terence Hsieh at Modernista 
Relax a bit this Sunday with classic jazz tunes by the Dimitry Strelianny trio featuring trombone player Terence Hsieh. FREE

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

Images: Will Griffith, courtesy of the promoters